KELLER (CBS 11 NEWS) – The first day of school was a busy one for the Captain family who lives in north Fort Worth. Their 7-year-old son Riley goes to Bluebonnet Elementary School in the Keller Independent School District. The district charges students to ride the bus, but several families, including the Captains, were left without a way to school.
“We paid the $175 for the semester and thought everything was good,” says Jason Captain. “It’s really frustrating.”
The family got a call Thursday from Keller ISD, telling them there would be no bus service. “Here are we are in one of the most affluent areas of DFW and we don’t have any bus service at all, even if we are willing to pay for it. It’s no longer an option,” explains Jason.
The Captains had to figure out something, and it meant getting to work later and leaving earlier. “With my husband’s schedule, being a pilot, and me working as well, it’s very hard. It puts a burden on our family trying to find a ride to and from,” said June Captain.
Bryce Nieman, a spokesperson with Keller ISD, said that more than 100 families who registered for bus service in the district did not get it because not enough riders registered. A route needs 50 paid riders. In Bluebonnet Elementary School’s case, only 11 students signed up.
Families do have the option for a full refund or they can wait to see if participation increases enough to create a bus route.
“We pay some of the highest property tax rates and it goes to the school, 1.5 percent to the school district,” says Jason. “I think we pay a lot of money for a service that’s not being given to us.”
The district moved towards paid bus service after budget cuts. So far, Keller ISD has saved about $1.5 million, which the district says equates to 27 teachers.
“I’m sure there has to be some alternative of not running these giant buses that they have, a smaller one for folks willing to pay for it,” says Jason.
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