Public school transportation

[DEE100]

What is the name of your state? Texas

We live in Texas. My 11 year old was bullied on the school bus and the bus driver ignored his complaints, until a few days ago, he was attacked by another boy on the bus, pulled off his seat and was forced to fight the boy off. The bus driver reported both of them to the principal and both got a three day bus suspension. The bus is my son's only way of getting to school and back. We tried to discuss the situation with the principal and the bus barn manager, and they said that in Texas, the school doesn't have to provide any student with transportation, even if the student is inrolled into the ISD, lives within the school district and has no other way of getting to school. They called our son "the victim of circumstances" and refused to cooperate. Because of this, our son is having to miss three important days of school (he is in the Band and won't be able to attend rehearsals and the concert), his grades will suffer, and his absenses won't be marked as excused. All this because he was bullied on the bus!

My questions are: 1 - what steps can we take to fight for our child's rights?

2 - is it true that public schools in Texas have a law that states that schools don't have to provide transportation to students enrolled in the district even if the student has no other way of getting to and from school?

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Humusluvr]

What is the name of your state? Texas

We live in Texas. My 11 year old was bullied on the school bus and the bus driver ignored his complaints,

Can you prove this? As in, could you prove it in a court of law - not he said/she said?

until a few days ago, he was attacked by another boy on the bus, pulled off his seat and was forced to fight the boy off. The bus driver reported both of them to the principal and both got a three day bus suspension.

This is actually a very light sentence. Most students would have bus privileges revoked for the entire semester or entire year.

The bus is my son's only way of getting to school and back. We tried to discuss the situation with the principal and the bus barn manager, and they said that in Texas, the school doesn't have to provide any student with transportation, even if the student is inrolled into the ISD, lives within the school district and has no other way of getting to school.

Most parents would claim they have no other way of getting their child to and from school. But riding the bus is a privilege, not a right.

AsThey called our son "the victim of circumstances" and refused to cooperate. Because of this, our son is having to miss three important days of school (he is in the Band and won't be able to attend rehearsals and the concert), his grades will suffer, and his absenses won't be marked as excused. All this because he was bullied on the bus!

This is unfortunate for your son, but legally justifiable by the school. The school loses its immunity from prosecution when it provides bus service for students, and so therefore any student or students who are creating a potentially dangerous atmosphere on the bus would immediately lose privilege.

My questions are: 1 - what steps can we take to fight for our child's rights?

Was he also suspended from school?

2 - is it true that public schools in Texas have a law that states that schools don't have to provide transportation to students enrolled in the district even if the student has no other way of getting to and from school?

This is absolutely correct. Texas schools don't HAVE to provide transportation, as is the case in Alternative Schools. Make sure your son still goes to school, or he is considered truant. The student does have SOME way of getting there, even if its not an easy way for YOU.

 

[Zigner]

I have to ask - if it's SOOOO important - why can't a parent drive him?

 

[dumblonde]

Always always always put your complaints in writing. When your child was first bullied and there was a problem your child or you should have filled out a complaint form or even generated your own written complaint. Then you don't get into he said she said you can say look we have been complaining about this for months.