A Stoughton, Massachusetts mom is facing the difficult decision of keeping her children home from school due to the district's inability to provide bus service for over 100 students.
Amidst the ongoing debate over the allocation of resources to support migrant families in Massachusetts, local parents are facing the consequences of a shortage of bus services that is affecting over 100 students in the Stoughton Public Schools district. One of those parents is Ashley Francois, a mother of three Stoughton students, who has been left to grapple with the challenge of getting her children to school without reliable transportation.
With her license indefinitely suspended for medical reasons, Francois has been relying on other means to transport her children, including ride-sharing services and the help of friends and family. However, the financial burden of paying for multiple daily Uber rides for the entire school year is proving to be overwhelming for the single mother.
Massachusetts Mom Considers Keeping Kids Home as District Struggles with Bus Service
Francois' concerns extend beyond the financial strain. She highlights the educational implications of her children being unable to attend school consistently due to transportation issues. One of her children, who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), has school refusal, a condition that requires access to specialized services at school. Without bus transportation, Francois finds it impossible to get her child the support they need, hindering their educational progress.
The district's decision to provide buses for students from migrant families while leaving other students without transportation has further fueled the frustration of parents like Francois. Superintendent of Schools Joseph Baeta maintains that the funding for migrant student transportation does not come from the district's operational budget, and the uptick in student enrollment, partly due to the increased migrant population, has created financial pressures.
Massachusetts Mom Considers Keeping Kids Home as District Struggles with Bus Service
However, Francois and other parents question the district's priorities, arguing that the basic need for transportation should not be compromised for any group of students. They believe that the district's decision reflects a disregard for the well-being and educational opportunities of all children in the community.
In a statement to Fox News, Baeta acknowledged the increase in students requesting bus service this year and said the district is working to address the issue. However, he emphasized that the state of Massachusetts does not require bus transportation for students in grades 7-12, and the district is facing budget restraints and a shortage of bus drivers.
Massachusetts Mom Considers Keeping Kids Home as District Struggles with Bus Service
The district's reliance on state funding to provide transportation for students in hotels and shelters has also drawn scrutiny, as critics argue that it emphasizes the needs of a specific population over the general student body.
As Francois and other parents await a resolution to the bus service shortage, they continue to grapple with the difficult choice of potentially keeping their children home from school. The lack of reliable transportation has become a significant barrier to education, creating a situation where students are being penalized due to circumstances beyond their control.
Massachusetts Mom Considers Keeping Kids Home as District Struggles with Bus Service
