For many years, our children have been greeted each school day by the warm smile and enthusiastic greeting of Mrs. Tina, the beloved school bus driver for LISD Route 652. Kids from Elementary to High School love her comforting and familiar presence and feel safe and cared for on their journey to and from school.

Unfortunately, the Leander Independent School District (LISD) has announced plans to discontinue Route 652, which effectively means losing Mrs. Tina as our bus driver. This decision has been made without considering the impact it would have on our children's well-being or the community's needs. Our kids don't just see Mrs. Tina as a bus driver; they see her as a role model who exemplifies kindness, patience, and responsibility.

Mrs. Tina goes above and beyond her duties. She knows each child's name, watches out for their safety, and creates an environment where they feel respected and valued. Such dedication cannot simply be replaced or overlooked. Her charisma and eye on safety gained her LISD Bus Driver of the Year award.

We understand the district might be facing logistical challenges or budget constraints, but eliminating Route 652 is not the solution. Instead, let's work together to find alternatives that preserve this essential service and keep Mrs. Tina in her role. Options such as reallocating resources, seeking community sponsorship, or reevaluating existing routes could be potential solutions without drastic changes that disrupt our children's daily routine.

If we allow Route 652 to be discontinued, we risk losing the nurturing environment Mrs. Tina has created over the years. Our children's safety, happiness, and routine matter. Anyone who has interacted with Mrs. Tina knows the difference she makes in their lives.

"In a day I dreaded going to school, Mrs. Tina said hi and gave me her smile, and suddenly it wasn't that bad to go to school again" -- one of my daughter's friends remarked.

Please join us in standing up for maintaining LISD Route 652 and retaining Mrs. Tina as our cherished school bus driver. Your support can make a significant difference in convincing the district that this route—and the positive impact of Mrs. Tina—are invaluable.

Sign this petition to show LISD that Route 652 and Mrs. Tina are not just numbers in a spreadsheet, but an integral part of our community. Every signature counts, and together, we can make our voice heard.