Parent Concerned About School Bus Service Change
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Parent Concerned About School Bus Service Change
The mother of one Central Texas student is concerned about a school district change that means her son is no longer dropped off at home, but instead at a bus stop, which forces him to walk near the home of a registered sex offender.
Reporter: By Megan Fleetwood
Email Address: megan.fleetwood@kwtx.com
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(August 26, 2008)--Misty Lowrey’s 11-year-old son used to ride the school bus to her parents' house after school in the Connally ISD each day, but now the bus drops him off at the end of the block, which Lowrey says forces him to walk near the home of a registered sex offender to reach her parents’ residence.

Until this year, the Connally Independent School District provided curbside drop-off for each of the approximately 1800 students who ride the bus, but this year the district started dropping students off at the end of the blocks in which they live.

Superintendent Keith Boles says the change was made to make bus routes more efficient.

Unlike many school districts, Boles says Connally chooses to offer transportation to almost all its students, because of the district’s close proximity to Interstate 35 and Highway 77.

Boles says the district has experienced bus overcrowding in the past, but said it was made worse this year by difficulty finding enough drivers.

In addition, the superintendent says rising gas prices are a factor.

He said the district has added $130,000 to its fuel budget this year because of higher costs at the pump.

The school district mailed out letters in late July to all of the estimated 2,500 students in the district to inform them of the bussing changes.

In addition, an informational booth was set up during student registration in early August to answer questions or concerns from parents.

The district says it has received calls from at least three parents who expressed concerns about the change.

Lowrey says she has been promised that her son will be dropped off at her parents' driveway from now on because of the specific safety concern.

Boles says safety is a top priority and encourages any parents to contact the transportation department of Connally ISD at 296-6460 with any concerns, promising to sit down and talk things out.

Area Districts Providing Home Drop-Off
Robinson ISD

Area Districts Using Bus Stops
Gatesville ISD
Copperas Cove ISD
Killeen ISD
Temple ISD
Waco ISD
Connally ISD

Connally ISD Web Site

Latest Comments

Posted by: Sam Bam Location: Tx on Aug 28, 2008 at 06:31 AM

Once again, adults wanted to take on a family and when times get tough, cry about it. If you can not take care of the child/children than let the state find them a home! No one made you push out innocent child into the world and no one agreed to take care of them for you! How stupid can you be! Adjust your life style or give the child to someone who can or will handle the responsibility! Look in mirror and you will see the problem! Stupid morons taking on a task that should be for people of common sense! Why should everone else pay the price for your ignorance! Truth hurts! Have the grandparents walk to or pick up the boy! This is not the tax payers responsibility!
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: Mom Location: Connally ISD on Aug 27, 2008 at 11:39 AM

Gene, I agree with you, however I would like to add that even the older kids should NOT be given the option to walk from the nearest corner or stop sign, young or old, they are still our children...and the particular sex offender referred to in this news story is twice convicted of indecency with a 15 yr old boy (which would be a high school age kid)...regardless of their age, if crossing a sex offenders path can be prevented, it should be, no matter what the cost of fuel is.
[ Report Abuse ]
Posted by: mom Location: waco on Aug 27, 2008 at 11:32 AM

Dennis, it's a rural area...blocks do not exist on these streets...its stop signs at both ends and driveways in between...they should just continue dropping the boy off at the driveway as they had always done.
[ Report Abuse ]
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