Parents of students enrolled in Prince George’s County Public Schools’ extended school year program for special education are expressing concern over significant transportation issues that have impacted the program's start. The program, which began on Monday and serves over 4,000 children, is designed to help students achieve their individual education goals through a four-week session that includes breakfast, lunch, and transportation.
Many families reported that their children either missed buses or faced lengthy waits for pickups and drop-offs. Anthony Tilghman, whose daughter is enrolled in the program, noted that the bus never arrived on the first day, forcing him to adjust his schedule to drive her to school. He criticized the district's bus-tracking app, Chipmunk, for being ineffective and said he struggled to get in touch with the transportation line for assistance.
Shydia Warren, another parent, shared that her son has been consistently dropped off late, which has interfered with his therapy appointments. She highlighted her frustration with the lack of communication from the school and bus services, stating that her inquiries have gone unanswered.
In response to the complaints, PGCPS Transportation Services issued an apology to families, acknowledging the transportation challenges and promising to enhance communication and reliability. However, parents like Kristy Maddux, whose daughter has special needs, emphasized that these issues are recurrent and reflect a broader systemic failure within the special education framework in the county.
Maddux recounted her daughter’s experience with delayed bus pickups, which resulted in her arriving late to school and returning home two hours after dismissal. She noted that many families are left uninformed about transportation details until the last minute.
Tilghman has reached out to district officials, including Superintendent Shawn Joseph, to voice the concerns of parents within his community. Joseph acknowledged the importance of reliable transportation and expressed a commitment to improving the experience for families with special education students.
In a statement, PGCPS confirmed that they are aware of the ongoing transportation and communication issues and are taking steps to rectify them. They indicated that the Chipmunk app had been restored to full functionality, yet many parents remain skeptical, as issues persisted into the following days.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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