'The communication is still just an issue,' | Parents say buses are still late this new school year for students with disabilities

WASHINGTON — Concerned parents in DC are pushing for more communication from The Office of The State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Parents say they still cannot rely on transportation provided for kids with disabilities.

WUSA9 has been talking with this parent since March when she and several other parents filed a lawsuit against OSSE – in hopes of some improvements with the buses but after this first week of school – they say not much has changed.

“The communication is still just an issue,” Parent, Elizabeth Daggett said. Daggett says the bus for her son is almost never on time.

“I wish I could say I’m hopeful,” Daggett said.

She said she thought things would be different after she and five other families worked together to file a federal complaint, saying buses aren't safe or reliable. To make thing more challenging, it’s tough for Daggett to monitor her son with disabilities during his routes, but said the schedule is never accurate with what's going on. 

She said sometimes they don’t even have the proper tools like a safety anchor to help with her son’s harness so they couldn’t transport him.

“We had two different times to start the school, one was at 6:40 am and one was at 8. So, trying to figure out which time the bus will actually come...it’s really that unknowing that anxiety.” Daggett said.

The Arc of the United States, Children’s Law Center, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and Urban Affairs, and McDermott Will & Emery have filed a federal complaint on behalf of six families who say they have issues with transportation.

Now, more families are coming forward saying they are having a similar experience to Daggett’s since the 2024-2025 school year started.

"We brought this to try to achieve systemic relief and all of our clients involved in this case are really eminent that they want relief not just for their kids but for their neighbors, their classmates,” Deputy Legal Director at the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Kaitlin Banner said.  

OSSE sent WUSA9 statement in response to these recent allegations about the buses saying:

"OSSE Division of Transportation provides safe transportation for more than 3,800 students, a six percent increase from last year. OSSE transports students with disabilities to 255 schools in 63 local education agencies —10 percent of which are outside of DC.

In the first week of school, (Aug 26-30), we operated more than 1,700 routes with an average on-time departure from our bus terminals of 99 percent.

We continue to make upgrades to our service and are committed to serving the students we are required to transport.”

“It was late quite a few times in the afternoon,” Daggett said. “Until it actually rolls up that’s when I know he’s safe and home.”

By a few times she means four out of the 5-day school week.

Despite having this issue since 2017, Daggett says she’s pushing for her son but also the other parents who have reached out with similar problems since the start of the new school year.

“My motivation is obviously to have the bus system fixed for my son, but it’s also to have it fixed for all the other kids that are affected,” Daggett said.

As for the lawsuit that was filed, the next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15. Daggett is urging anyone else who may be having problems to come forward, you can fill out a form here to share your story. You can also visit the Washington Law Center's website.