The Cypress-Fairbanks (Texas) school board has voted to cut back on free bus transportation for some students.
Houston Public Media reports that under the district's revised policy, elementary students who live within a mile of their schools and middle school and high school students who live within two miles will no longer receive bus services.
The changes have helped reduce the district's transportation budget by over $4 million. Other transportation changes include eliminating late bus runs and transportation services for alternative learning centers.
"No one likes trimming the budget," said board member Lucas Scanlon. "No one likes the fact that we need to trim our bus routes. That’s not an outcome that anybody desires. Believe me — I don’t like it either. However, we’ve got to meet our financial obligations and we have to work within the constraints set for us by our state."
No matter the school distance, Cy-Fair students can still receive transportation if they travel through specific unsafe road conditions, including crossing tollways, railroads or busy roads with unprotected crossing.
