Massachusetts mom's kids stranded without bus service due to financial strain from migrants.

Over 100 students in a suburban Boston school district are left without bus service due to funding shortages and lack of resources.

Ashley Francois, a local mom, has faced challenges with getting her kids to school after her license was indefinitely suspended for medical reasons three years ago.

On Sunday, "Fox & Friends Weekend" reported that in February of '23, the school system filed educational neglect against her.

"My child with an IEP has school refusal, which means they are not allowed on the bus or taken off the bus. As a result, they have been able to get what they wanted, which is not to attend school."

"If you can't get him to school to access the curriculum and services you specialize in, he won't be able to receive them," she said. "Without access to the curriculum offered by the Stoughton Public Schools, kids won't be able to receive any type of curriculum."

Currently, only Francois' elementary-aged child can receive a bus ride to school. Due to the new challenge, her tight budget, and inability to renew her license, she has informed Planet Chronicle that she is considering keeping her other children at home.

"Do I have to pay between four to six Ubers daily for the school year to transport my children, and then worry about how I'll cover the expenses for my home, electricity, food, clothing, and school supplies since we receive two pages of supplies per grade?" she questioned.

Despite the recent funding of buses for students from over 200 migrant families in their community, local Superintendent of Schools Joseph Baeta maintains that this is not the cause of the bus service controversy.

Baeta stated on Planet Chronicle that after implementing no-fee busing, there was a 162 increase in requests this year, which was unexpected. In response, busing was provided for all K-6 students within policy as of Friday.

"This issue will be resolved by the end of the week with a high probability of obtaining transportation," the statement concluded. "We will have more information after Tuesday."

Baeta stated in a separate letter to parents that while the state of Massachusetts does not mandate bus transportation for students in grades 7-12, it does require transportation for those residing in hotels and shelters.

The district faced challenges with one less bus and a shortage of bus drivers, which were further compounded by budget constraints.

"The letter stated that the district is utilizing the state's funding to bus students living in hotels/shelters. The two buses are not funded from the district's operational budget. It is incorrect to assume that the children receiving busing are the reason for the other children not receiving it. If the district did not receive the state's funding for students living in hotels/shelters, they would not have the two additional buses."

In a letter this year, Baeta mentioned the rise in student enrollment, partly because of the growing migrant population, as a cause of "financial strain."

Planet Chronicle' Kendall Tietz contributed to this report.