Houston – Houston Independent School District mother Mandisa Giddens said a change to her child’s bus stop this school year has created major challenges for her family, and she’s calling on the district to reconsider its transportation policies.
Giddens, a single mother with three children, said her third-grade daughter Skylar attends Mark Twain Elementary School’s magnet program. Last year, the bus stop was at Brunswick Lake Community Water Park, about a mile from their home.
This year, the bus stop is located at New Urban Way and City Park, about 3 and a half miles away from her home.
“It’s a hardship,” Giddens said. ““How is my kid supposed to get to school?”
Giddens said she found out about the change in the bus stop through a text from the district four days before the start of school.
Because of her disability, Giddens cannot drive. She said she has been relying on her mother and friends for help, but that’s not always possible.
“My mom was getting up every morning to come and pick her up and take her to the bus stop but This year is different because my mom’s sick and she’s dealing with her own health issues," said Giddens.
KPRC 2 visited HISD’s administration building to ask what resources are available for parents in similar situations.
An HISD spokesperson told KPRC 2 that more bus routes are being added throughout the school year.
The district also encourages families to reach out to the school’s transportation services.
HISD also sent families a transportation survey and transportation concern Google form.
KPRC 2 also spoke to Wretha Thomas, the president of the Houston Educational Support Personnel Union, which represent bus drivers and educational support personal within HISD.
Thomas tells KPRC 2 the district is currently short about 80 bus drivers, which could be impacting the number of bus routes.