ST. LOUIS — For weeks, parents have been concerned that their students wouldn't be picked up for class in St. Louis Public Schools. At the start of the second week, some families still don't have answers.
Last week, 5 On Your Side reported several students who weren't given transportation and parents who weren't given any answers about why.
Kia Miller was so frustrated with the transportation issues that her son was facing that she decided to change his school. She spent most of last week trying to find answers from the transportation office.
Miller said, "When they did call me back about the transportation, he was like, 'We'll give you a call back in a week or two.' I said, 'a week or two?' Why a week or two? Why couldn't you all find a solution right then or there?"
Miller's 4th-grade son with special needs, Kamorion Miller, was not picked up for Sigel Elementary School.
"I had to re-enroll him, so he goes to a different school. I didn't think that was fair for him," the mom said.
On Friday, somebody from Hodgen Tech Academy, which is within walking distance from their home, called Miller to let her know there was an opening.
"I was like, 'Are you serious? She said yes. I almost started crying on the phone because a lot of stress had been lifted. I won't have to wonder, 'How is my child getting to school? How is he getting home from school?" Miller said.
Kamorion's first day at Hodgen was Monday. While it's been a huge relief not worrying about her son's transportation, Miller said it has been a difficult adjustment.
"He was so scared this morning. He was very scared. He told me he didn't know anyone and that he was not going to be able to see his friends. I had to tell him, 'You can make new friends.' My son shouldn't have had to transfer schools just to get to school. To me, that's crazy," Miller said.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said many parents have reached out to her office complaining about the school district. Still, the mayor said her office doesn't have the authority to help the district provide transportation.
"I'm a parent too, and I would be frustrated and furious if I didn't have answers from the school district and school board. We need answers. And the audit that I'm commissioning and the State Auditor's Office will hopefully give us those answers. But more importantly, our children need to get to school reliably every day on time, which is the most pressing issue," Jones said.
Jones said they're expanding the scope of their yearly audit.
5 On Your Side has contacted the district and transportation office for answers but has not heard back.
Shakara Green also had trouble getting answers about her 7-year-old son with special needs without transportation. Green said the head of Special Education contacted her over the weekend, but her son was still without a ride on Monday.
"If I had a magic wand, I would love for a local logistics company or bus company to come in and provide these services until we find a way to pay for them. But my hands are tied, so we listen with empathy, and we also try to connect people to services that we know exist," Jones said.