![]() Martinez said district officials are currently “in conversation” with transportation providers to increase drivers’ hourly rates. And so we are changing that to $20 an hour because again, I don’t want to be losing because our rates are so much lower.” “Some of our partners, their rates were as low as $15.65. “I know that suburbs are offering a minimum $20 per hour,” Martinez said. Martinez said the district is working to avoid bus shortages by expanding the number of vendors it works with and increasing the hourly rate for drivers. Many families don’t want their children to sit on long bus routes, he said. ![]() She cited the corrective action plan to provide transportation for students with disabilities that was sent to the Illinois State Board of Education after a formal complaint was filed in September.Īt Wednesday’s meeting, Martinez could not provide information on how many families have chosen to use the stipends, but said many signing up for them for the coming year also used them last year. The district’s offer of a monthly stipend or an unreasonably long bus ride is an “improper choice,” she said. Miriam Bhimani, a parent advocate who spoke at Wednesday’s meeting, said that she is concerned how the district will meet its obligation to provide transportation for students with disabilities. “Imagine your child sitting at the end of the day for two hours in a coat and they can’t unzip themselves, they can’t adjust their tracheostomy tubes, they can’t really express their needs, and there’s a single adult scrambling to provide for them and all their needs,” Costas said. Drivers were “shuffled in and out” and scrambled to learn students’ critical needs on the spot, she said. When they did get busing, Costas said, it was inconsistent. Students with disabilities at her school often require adult accompaniment and specialized equipment, which cannot be provided in a Lyft, she said.Ĭostas said the stipends last year failed to get many students to school. The district is legally mandated to provide appropriate transportation to students with disabilities.Īlice Costas, a teacher at Northside Prep High School, said families are being “pressured” to accept the “absolutely inadequate” payments. Stipends were first used last fall, and at the time, Martinez said he would consider using more alternative modes of transportation in the future.īut parents and Chicago Teachers Union advocates have criticized CPS for offering the stipends, arguing that the amount – equal to about $25 a day – isn’t enough. ![]() Students with Individualized Education Programs and 504 plans, as well as those in temporary living situations, can get $500 monthly stipends to pay for gas or other private rides, such as taxis and rideshare. The district is also offering some families alternatives to busing. Martinez said CPS expects to serve more than 15,000 families in the coming year and is working with the Chicago Transit Authority to provide passes for students. The district enrolls more than 300,000 students, but only provides transportation for around 12,000 annually.
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