Parents, council ask for clarity after Conroe ends school transportation at some sites

Parents and residents attending the May 21 Conroe City Council meeting told elected officials they learned only incidentally that the city's before- and after-school transportation program was ending at some sites.

Resident Ross Guida described discovering changes when he went to enroll his children: "We went to enroll my kids in school for next year, trying to be proactive in registration, and found out when we were talking about after school transport that the program is being ended at Anderson Elementary as well as some others." Guida and other parents said they did not receive clear notice and asked the council for a financial and operational accounting of the program.

Councilman Wood asked staff to provide a detailed report on the program, including the program budget, how much parents pay, how much the city subsidizes, and whether alternatives (such as increased parent fees or YMCA participation) could have been used to bridge service gaps. City administrative staff (Ms. McKeska) agreed to include the after-school program changes, the context behind decisions, and any proposed alternatives in the next administrative update to the council.

Council members described the program as a lifeline for working families, especially at Title I schools, and urged staff to boost communication with parents. Mr. Guida and other speakers said YMCA and private providers were already moving to fill gaps left by the city's apparent reduction in transportation.

Council directed staff to add the after-school transportation changes to the next administrative update so council and the public could review program budgets, parent fees, and alternatives. That direction appears in the public transcript; no formal vote was recorded.