In the aftermath of a series of precarious incidents involving Cy-Fair ISD students on their way to school, district officials have confirmed changes to the transportation policy, set to take effect next week. These revisions will modify bus pickup eligibility, specifically benefitting middle school students who, on their treacherous routes to school, previously navigated roads without sidewalks or safe pedestrian pathways. This update follows a recent report where a Cy-Fair ISD student was struck by a truck while biking to school, as reported by Click2Houston.
Having evaluated the turmoil that followed the removal of over 30,000 students from the bus routes due to a district decision to cut 79 routes and save nearly $5 million, the move roused the Cy-Fair ISD community to action. Outraged and spurred by necessity, groups were formed, signs held aloft, with the aim of speaking truth to power and urging reconsideration by those at the helm. Despite the cuts aimed at mitigating a budget deficit, the safety concerns were pressing and palpable, as detailed by KHOU 11 News.
Addressing the safety concerns, Harris County Commissioners Tom Ramsey and Lesley Briones underscored the gravity of the situation, following which tangible progress in infrastructure has been made. Sidewalk projects near schools are currently underway, aiming to create safer pedestrian thoroughfares. Speaking to the necessity of these changes, Ramsey emphasized that constituent appeals prompted these infrastructural enhancements. "Obviously constituents call us and they said I need you to build a sidewalk in my neighborhood," he told KHOU 11 News.
These infrastructure projects align with Cy-Fair ISD’s updated transportation plan, which comes in response to strong community advocacy. The district has decided to restore certain bus routes, particularly for students who must walk along busy roads without safe paths. Starting next week, middle school students living within two miles of their school will be eligible for bus service if their route involves walking along unsafe roads. Families affected by the change have been notified.
The district's transportation services have been strengthened by an increase in bus driver applications, following a board-approved pay raise. As a result, staffing levels have improved, and next school year, students in Cy-Fair ISD will have a safer, more reliable way to travel to school with the return of school buses in their neighborhoods.
