As parents of the West Fargo School District, we are jarred to find that our children will have no transportation to school this year. While we were made aware, last year, of upcoming changes in the district, many of us reached out to the district regarding transportation for our children and were informed busing would still be available to them.

Adding insult to injury, the school district has failed to make these details known publicly, and it has been up to us, the parents, to try and get the word out, after only finding out on the news in the final two weeks before school starts.

According to a recent news report, we understand that grants are available to the district utilizing socioeconomic criteria. We would like the district to consider applying for those grants or explaining why they failed to do so. Most likely, busing cut backs would not be an issue if that had been done. Also preventing any overcrowding like previous years.

Many of us are asking ourselves if these efforts are made to discourage children of low income families, children of color, and children of refugees from attending school as these are the children who would be effected.

For the concerns we have addressed in this petition, we demand answers. But first and foremost, we demand that our children be provided with safe transportation to and from school. We insist that the school district cover the promises it has already made in bringing our children to and from school before ANY other business is addressed.

http://www.westfargopioneer.com/news/4320563-school-bus-photo-shows-problems-overcrowding-west-fargo-fargo-school-districts

http://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Buses-wont-be-rolling-in-for-some-West-Fargo-students-heading-back-to-school--490515351.html?abc=JikKLwCU