As Houston-area students prepare to return to school, they are facing significant changes due to budget shortfalls in local districts. With over $850 million in deficits, districts like Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD) are forced to make substantial cuts to staffing and services. This has sparked concerns among parents who are worried about the impact on their children’s education and safety.
One parent, Amanda Pallanez, reached out to ABC13 after her 12-year-old daughter’s bus route was eliminated. This means her daughter would have to walk 1.9 miles to school, along busy roadways with no sidewalks and drainage ditches. Pallanez expressed her concerns, stating, “Lives are at great risk.” She shared the job offers she had turned down to be able to drive her daughter to and from school, highlighting the financial burden these changes have placed on her family.
CFISD made the decision to cut 79 bus routes, saving approximately $4.8 million from their $140 million deficit. These routes were not required by law, as state law does not mandate districts to provide transportation. However, the district’s handling of the communication regarding these changes came under scrutiny. Trustee Dr. Natalie Blasingame admitted, “I am truly disturbed about the failure of this Board, of me, personally, of us, in this communication about the transportation.”
The impact of these cuts goes beyond Pallanez and her daughter. Mary Freeman, another concerned grandparent, stated that her grandson would also struggle to walk to school due to the lack of sidewalks. The district’s response to this concern, as stated in a question-and-answer sheet, was that parents are responsible for selecting a safe method of transportation for their child if bus service is not available. This puts the burden on parents to find alternative ways to ensure their child’s safety.
The budget shortfalls faced by CFISD and other districts in the region and state are attributed to various factors. Declining attendance and state funding are among the reasons for these financial challenges. State funding has been decreasing over the past decade, even when accounting for inflation, according to the Texas Education Agency.
Overall, the situation raises important questions about prioritizing children’s safety and the responsibility of districts to communicate effectively with parents. As one parent aptly stated, “Money is not worth a child’s life and safety ultimately.” The impact of these budget cuts extends beyond the financial burden on families, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions that prioritize the well-being of students.
