BOWIE (KFDX/KJTL) — The Bowie Independent School District will continue to allow students to transfer between neighboring districts following a school board meeting.
At the Bowie ISD School Board meeting on Monday, Feb. 16, parents expressed their feelings about the district’s situation, raising concerns ranging from district performance to student safety. Parents said their concerns led them to exclude their children from the Bowie school entirely.
Parents have the right to decide whether they want their children to attend one of the four neighboring school districts, regardless of where they live. If accepted by the school, a bus will travel to Bowie to pick up the child.
The board had previously said they might no longer allow buses from other districts into Bowie’s district, sparking a public outcry that culminated in Monday’s school board meeting.
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The meeting was packed and several parents shared their reasons for taking their children out of the district.
Of greatest concern is bullying, with Bowie parent Michelle Parker expressing her frustration during the public comment portion of the meeting.
“My daughter is bullied every day [basis]teachers, principals, and superintendents didn’t listen. I was going to them. I’m talking to them. I’m on the phone. I was the proactive parent, but they didn’t listen,” Parker said. “They didn’t hear a word I said. My daughter was literally dragged off the stands by her hoodie and the only excuse I got was because the boys were bored. “
Parker told board members after trying to resolve the issue but feeling ignored she felt the only option was to move her children to another school. She said after talking to other families, she learned her experience was not isolated.
“We choose to take our kids elsewhere because as parents we want the best for our kids. They don’t address the things that are important to our kids. They don’t address the bullying that’s happening in the schools,” Parker said. “We parents who are trying to address this issue are completely ignored. They don’t listen.”
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After hearing public comment, the board voted to enter into interregional busing agreements with four surrounding school districts that would continue to allow those districts to transport Bowie-area students who voluntarily enroll elsewhere.
“I was elected to care for the needs of every student. I know that in today’s society, parents have the right to send their children wherever they want to go, and I respect that,” said Bowie ISD board member Jeff Jackson. “However, once a student chooses to go to another school, I as a trustee and we as a board no longer have an obligation to them. Our obligation is to the student who wants to attend Bowie School.”
District leaders said they acknowledge parents’ concerns and said improving the student experience remains a top priority.
School districts planning to be included in the agreement include Goldberg, Montague, Forestburg and Bellevue ISD. Details of the inter-local agreement are still to be finalized.
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