School bus issues leave Rockland parents calling out of work, spending money & time, worrying about safety
The transportation issues have left parents calling out of work, spending money and time driving kids to school and worrying about safety.
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Angry parents spoke out Tuesday at an East Ramapo School Board meeting, demanding the district work faster to solve transportation issues.
Parents say buses haven't been showing up to pick up their children.
"I'm sick and tired of this," a parent shouted at the meeting.
"This year, my son was sent a bus pass. It may as well have been an expired coupon," another said.
The district is responsible for getting kids to school, whether attending public or private school.
"I understand your frustration completely," Superintendent Clarence Ellis addressed parents.
Ellis says there's a shortage of drivers and some bus companies realized the work was more than expected.
"They decided to cancel their contracts at the last minute, which affected many students across the district," he told the crowd.
Some parents say they have heard differently from the bus companies, which have blamed it on the district.
"I'm coming from a place of distrust at this time," one parent said.
The transportation issues have left parents calling out of work, spending money and time driving kids to school and worrying about safety. One mom told the board her son had to sit outside of school for four hours one day, waiting.
The district says it will reimburse parents who are driving their students. It has also opened an emergency bid to transportation companies. The district adds it transports more students than any state district outside of the city.
"The transportation challenges continue to escalate as the District's enrollment increases and this matter demands immediate intervention from our local, state and federal legislators," Superintendent Ellis wrote in a statement.
