Judson Independent School District announced that the list of routes classified as hazardous has been trimmed from 33 last school year to 24 this year. The district says the reduction reflects recent sidewalk installations and a thorough review of each route against Texas Education Code 48.151 standards.
Board explains the safety‑first rationale
During an August 20 board meeting, President Monica Ryan emphasized that hazardous designations are not driven by budget concerns but by clear legal criteria. “If a route is declared hazardous, it must meet specific standards and the district receives additional state funding to bus those students,” Ryan said.
Board members noted that many of the routes had not been evaluated since 2013. Updated assessments considered whether students must cross freeways, major roads, bridges, or travel through areas with high crime rates without a safe walking path.
Community concerns and district response
Some parents, including Grandmother Jacklyn Cotton, worry that the removal of a hazardous designation forces children to walk longer distances to Metzger Middle School. Cotton, whose granddaughter lives just under two miles from the campus, said the sidewalks are insufficient to protect children from speeding traffic.
In a written statement, the district’s Communications Director Lexie Greathouse reiterated that student safety remains the top priority. “When a route no longer meets the established hazardous criteria, it may be removed from the list following our review process,” the statement read. The district also highlighted ongoing bus driver shortages and urged qualified community members to apply for open positions.
How the changes affect families
Students who live more than two miles from a campus continue to qualify for bus service. Cotton’s home falls just within that distance, meaning her granddaughter and other neighborhood children must now walk to school unless the district re‑evaluates the route.
Judson ISD has created a committee to hear parental concerns and will consider additional submissions through an online form. The district encourages families to provide detailed information about any route they believe still poses a safety risk.
What’s next
The board plans to monitor traffic patterns and sidewalk conditions, adjusting hazardous designations as needed. Parents are invited to attend future meetings and submit route concerns, ensuring that transportation decisions remain transparent and rooted in the district’s commitment to student safety.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
