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Lack of PSS buses a challenge for some parents
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Posted on Aug 24 2008
With a lack of buses in the Public School System, some parents will have the extra burden of finding a way for their children to get to school this year.
Students at Dandan Elementary, William S. Reyes Elementary, and Koblerville Elementary will have to find their own transportation. This is the second year the three schools are without bus service.
Koblerville resident Ron Sablan, who has a daughter starting school this year, said many children who walk to school are put into a dangerous situation.
“Crossing the big road. There are car accidents, Anything can happen,” he said.
The heat could also affect their health, he added.
“It’s very hot, very dry, and they have to walk back and forth,” he said.
Sablan said many Koblerville parents who do want to drive their kids to school are unable to.
“A lot of families over here don’t have transportation,” he said.
Sablan’s niece attended the Head Start program in San Antonio last year, but because there was no transportation, his sister often sat and waited the whole day for her daughter to finish school, he said.
But Fuanny Ananstacio, also a Koblerville resident, said it has not been a problem for his son, Bradley, to get to school. Ananstacio drives Bradley, 11, to school about twice a week and when it’s raining, he said.
If his father doesn’t drive him to school, Bradley said he often rides his bike and it only takes him a few minutes.
Dandan elementary student Larry Jay Sebaklim, 10, said his mom picks him up from school but when she must work late, he has to walk home. It’s not hard, he added.
Larry Jay’s sister, Daisy Aldan, said their mom does sometimes worry about the cars when he walks to and from school.
PSS bus team leader Steven M. Pangelinan said the district will begin the year with 11 buses, four less than the start of last school year. PSS bought five additional buses, and they should be ready to use on or by Nov. 30.
Pangelinan said he hopes to offer service to the three elementary schools by December or January. The PSS bus schedule for the upcoming school year should be ready Monday.
