CYPRESS, Texas (KTRK) — Monday is the first day of school for the Houston area’s second-largest district, Cy-Fair ISD.
Because of bus route cuts, many families have had to make changes to find a new way to get their kids to school.
Transportation for most students is not a required service for a public school districts, but there’s no question that since it’s been offered, parents have come to rely on it, making this change tough for many families.
The district said the decision comes down to money. Cy-Fair ISD is facing a nearly $140 million budget shortfall. Cutting 79 bus routes saves them about $4.8 million, which the district says equates to about 75 teacher positions.
Cy-Fair ISD said the goal was for the cuts to not be felt in the classroom, but the bus route cuts are forcing families to make big changes.
One woman who spoke to ABC13 said her 12-year-old daughter now has a 1.9-mile walk to Arnold Middle School along a busy road without sidewalks.
The mom said she turned down three job offers in order to work remotely because she feels the only safe option is to take her daughter to school herself.
READ MORE: Parents confront Cy-Fair ISD Board about bus route cuts, trustees apologize for drastic changes
“I want to say that I regret voting for this portion of our budget and I humbly apologize to our Cy-Fair families,” Trustee Christine Kalmbach said.
“Again, I am truly sorry for those negatively impacted by these changes,” Trustee Todd LeCompte said.
The district said most elementary school campuses will have a designated crosswalk at their main entrance, and training is available for neighborhoods interested in organizing volunteers to monitor other intersections.
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