2 years ago
WEST SACRAMENTO, CA -- Parents in West Sacramento's Washington Unified School District said they are upset after learning many of their kids will no longer be able to ride the bus to school. The district decided to curtail service due to high gas prices and a budget squeeze from lower state funding.
Some parents said they understand why changes may be needed but can't believe they weren't notified sooner. "We're talking about less than six working days before school starts," said parent Tracy Modesty. She was about to take a new job until she learned she may have to keep driving her son, Adrian, to school. "People have lives. People have two jobs, (there are)single parents"
To help save money, the district decided not to provide bus service to students who live within 1.7 miles of their school. The cost-cutting measure was just one of several decided on by a special committee set up by the district.
Washington Unified School Board member Dave Westin said he was just as surprised. "As a Bridgeway Island parent myself, I'm quite in shock that notification a week before school hasn't gone out earlier," he said.
Parents say earlier notification would have allowed them to make alternate plans. "One kid on the way to work and the other (parent will) have to take the other on the way to work, so yeah, inconvenience," said parent Gabriel Ramirez whose children attend two different schools.
Parents are still waiting for a letter from the district telling them of the changes. Most have simply heard the news from other parents and then called the district for confirmation.
"Obviously, we need to hold people accountable for not only approving decisions but following through on them," said Westin. He said he plans to bring up the matter at the next board meeting on Thursday.
News10/KXTV
