Boston Students Told to Walk, Migrants Need Buses

Around 150 Boston-area students have been left without school bus service as Massachusetts faces mounting pressure from increased migrant transportation demands, sparking frustration among families and highlighting the strain on school district resources.

Around 150 students in the Stoughton Public School system in the Boston area have been left without school bus service for the foreseeable future, as the state of Massachusetts grapples with a growing demand for transportation resources. According to a report by the *Boston Herald*, school officials informed parents that their children would need to find alternative ways to get to school for the 2024-2025 school year.

In a letter posted on the school’s website, Superintendent Joseph Baeta explained, “Unfortunately, for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, 150 secondary students who signed up to ride a bus were not able to be placed on a bus. Those families not receiving bus transportation were notified this week." He added that families who do have transportation will receive their bus information by mid-August.

Baeta expressed understanding for the frustration this situation has caused. "We understand the feelings of disappointment and frustration this caused for the families who did not receive bus transportation," he wrote, emphasizing that the school district is currently limited in its ability to provide additional buses, citing both budget constraints and a shortage of bus drivers.

Although Massachusetts does not mandate school districts to provide transportation, many districts typically prioritize busing in their annual budgets. However, under state rules, schools are required to fund transportation for migrant students living in shelters and hotels. This has added pressure to school districts already struggling with transportation needs.

Superintendent Baeta, however, denied that the increased burden of busing migrant students was directly responsible for the shortfall affecting local children. He clarified that the buses transporting migrant children are funded by the state and not the district’s budget. “It is inaccurate to suggest that these children receiving busing is the reason yours did not,” Baeta stated.

Despite his clarification, Baeta acknowledged in earlier communications that the migrant crisis is straining the school’s overall budget. In a letter sent to parents in March, he highlighted the increased enrollment, particularly in the migrant student population, and the impact on special education, transportation, and services for English learners. He noted that budget adjustments had to be made to accommodate the growing number of students and that the situation remains "fluid" as the district continues to seek additional state funding.

The migrant crisis has placed considerable financial pressure on Massachusetts. The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that the state spends at least $575 million annually on migrant-related expenses. Additionally, WWLP-TV reported that $12 million was added to the 2024 state budget for migrant education alone. In July, Fox News reported that Massachusetts taxpayers will face an estimated $1.8 billion cost over the next two years to manage the ongoing migrant influx under the Biden-Harris administration.