CFISD Transportation Plan released early after KHOU 11 calls about parent concerns
Budget cuts are forcing district leaders to make changes to bus routes next school year. Some parents are concerned there are not enough sidewalks for their kids.
CYPRESS, Texas — Concerned parents called KHOU 11 for help, after learning Cy-Fair ISD is cutting bus routes next year. They said it's not safe for their kids to walk to school. Now, they're worried about all the budget cuts in the district, they will have no other choice.
In Coles Crossing in Cypress, school is out for the summer, but it's still on parents' minds.
"Once you leave the neighborhood, there's no sidewalks on the way there, it's very dangerous conditions," said parent Charlton Lemp.
How their kids will get to school this fall has them fired up.
"Google Maps says it is a 45-minute walk," said Heather Boone, a parent who said she looked up the distance between her house and Spillane Middle School.
Last year, all students in the district had bus service. However, next year, because of budget cuts, the district announced elementary students less than a mile away and middle and high school students less than two miles away will not get bus service.
"I just want to make sure that everyone in Cy-Fair ISD knows," Boone said.
We drove the route along Jarvis Road, near Barker Cypress that these families are concerned about. It's on the way to Spillane Middle and Cy-Woods High schools. Parents are concerned about their kids crossing the intersection and that once they get to the other side there's no sidewalk to protect them.
"Cars are usually going 45 to 50 mph and you add on top of that kids driving, that I've experienced, it just puts more kids at risk," said student Grayson Williams.
"There were talks about putting sidewalks in, but this has been years and it still has not happened," said parent Thuvan Nguyen.
We asked district leaders specifically about the lack of sidewalks on Jarvis Road. A spokeswoman released this statement to KHOU 11:
"Information regarding the 2024-2025 transportation plan will be communicated to parents in early July. Additionally, we are in the process of creating a website that will offer information about bus eligibility based on a specific address. Once the website is ready, we will share the link with parents and staff."
That's frustrating for parents who don't want to wait all summer to figure out how their kids are going to get to school.
"Do parents even know they might not have a bus? That's my biggest thing," Boone said. "I want people to be aware of what's going on."
Since KHOU 11 started making calls, CFISD has updated its website with the 2024-2025 Transportation Plan. The plan originally slated for release in July is available for parents to see ahead of schedule. Some parents in Coles Crossing found out they will get bus service while other parents are still without.
We also reached out to Harris County Commissioner Tom Ramsey to see if he was aware of the lack of sidewalks.
“Precinct 3 works with HC MUDs for potential sidewalks along major roadways, including the Cole's Crossing area," Commissioner Ramsey said. "Once the new Cy-Fair ISD bus routes have been established, we will have a better understanding of the affected areas and work with the various MUDs for potential studies for additional mobility projects.”
If you have a problem and need help, email [email protected], call (713) 521-HELP or fill out the form below.
[video_shortcode_youtube src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FPojPxs_EY4?rel=0" itemprop="image" content="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FPojPxs_EY4?rel=0" data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FPojPxs_EY4?rel=0"]