ST. LOUIS — Five days into the school year, and transportation troubles remain within St. Louis Public Schools.
Transportation has been a concern for parents throughout the school district for weeks.
On Friday, several parents said their children still don't have transportation to class, and they can't get answers from the school district or transportation office about why.
Since Monday, many parents have reported being unable to reach anyone when calling the main SLPS transportation number.
Shakara Green has been calling since Monday morning when her 7-year-old son with special needs was left waiting for a ride to school that never showed. She finally got hold of somebody on Friday and still can't get any clear answers or solutions.
"It should not be this hard to get kids to school. I'm beyond frustrated now. That makes me angry because I've caught them in so many lies," Green said.
Five days later, Green's son, Jermaine Whitfield Jr., still has not been picked up for school. She wants answers from the district.
"Starting Monday, will he have transportation to school? Or is this going to be something that's lingering over our heads all weekend? Is this something I will have to stress about all weekend?" Green asked.
5 On Your Side went to district headquarters to ask those questions for her, but was told to leave the building and to wait outside on the sidewalk for somebody to help answer our questions.
More than twenty minutes passed, and nobody showed up.
"It shouldn't have to take a whole week to get this resolved," Green said.
Green said if her son's transportation issues are not resolved soon, she'll have to quit her job and homeschool her son, the last thing she would want to do.
"He loves school. He loves to learn new things. It's his questions, 'Am I going to school today? How am I getting to school today?' He just turned seven yesterday, so how do you explain to a seven-year-old, 'Buddy, you're going to make it. Mommy's going to make sure you make it.' To see his little face go from excitement to full-blown sad. It's very heartbreaking. I don't have any words in it. Something has to be done. This is ridiculous," Green said.
A spokesperson for the St. Louis Mayor's Office said they are also frustrated by the district's lack of communication and have been unable to get any answers about transportation issues. They say not only is this concerning, it's unacceptable.
In a statement to 5 On Your Side, the mayor's office said, "Public concerns about SLPS have forced us to increase the scope of the yearly audit to include SLPS District contracting practices, conflicts of interest, and whistleblower claims, as well as Board of Education oversight and approval practices pertaining to the hiring and firing of District employees and to fiscal monitoring of the District’s finances. St. Louis families deserve better. They deserve answers. We hope they get them soon."
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said they are monitoring the situation and providing SLPS technical assistance in any way they can.
All week, 5 On Your Side has contacted the district and transportation office for answers about their transportation issues, specifically regarding the children who don't have a way to get to school and the problems surrounding the main transportation line, but has not heard back.