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Parents tell Bridgeport board transportation changes, suspensions are keeping special‑needs children from school
Summary
Two parents said changes to transportation and school disciplinary responses have kept their special‑needs children out of school this year. One parent said daytime daycare transport was removed and the family received notice three days before school started; another described what she called repeated denials of support and a three‑day suspension.
Two parents addressed the Bridgeport Board of Education on Sept. 22 to say transportation changes and disciplinary decisions have prevented their children with special needs from attending school and receiving services.
Zomaya Aguirre told the board her 6‑year‑old son, normally transported between home, school and daycare, has missed most of the school year since district transportation was changed to exclude daycare pickup and drop‑off. “He has not been able to go to school this whole school year due to the transportation change,” she said, adding that the family was notified “3 days before school started” and she has been forced to leave work early to pick up the child.
Latrice Bostic said both of her children have special needs and that repeated requests for help went unanswered. “My son was suspended for a situation that he had really nothing to do with,” she said, adding that the suspension was for three days and that her family did not receive written notice. “It's been 3 years too long that this school in particular does not wanna help me.”
Why it matters: The speakers said the transportation and disciplinary actions caused missed instructional time and lost services for students with individualized education plans (IEPs). Board members and staff did not announce a formal vote on either case during the meeting; trustees directed that concerns be followed up with staff and committees.
During public comment, attendees asked the board whether exceptions could be made to transportation rules for students who attend daycare. Aguirre said she had been told district policy prevented exceptions because the student was transported to and from home. She said she has been able to get her son to school only three times this year.
Bostic said she had requested summer school and other interventions and was denied; she also said a request for a controlled transfer was denied. A board member noted that the matter had “already went to Traver's committee” and that the committee “did pass.” Latrice Bostic and other speakers said students suspended for disciplinary reasons were not receiving services during suspensions, including special‑education services and homework accommodations.
The superintendent and staff said they would follow up. After Bostic’s comments, a district representative said, “So we're gonna be giving that help,” and the board asked for referrals by email so staff could track and respond. The transcript shows no formal board action on either family’s requests during the meeting.
Clarifying details for readers: the district’s notices and formal responses were described by speakers as inconsistent — Aguirre said she received a three‑day advance notice about the transportation change; Bostic said she received a phone call to pick up her child and did not receive a suspension letter. Both parents requested further district intervention and review.
Next steps: Board members encouraged the speakers to provide written referrals and said staff would investigate and respond; no specific timeline was recorded in the meeting minutes.
