Action News Jax been covering complaints about Duval County Public School’s biggest bus company, Student Transportation of America. Now, a parent is saying her student’s civil rights are being violated because the company regularly fails to be on time.Twelve-year-old Ja’Marcus can’t talk. He needs a feeding tube to eat and has a strict schedule for his medicines.
This school year, she said Ja’Marcus has missed out on therapies, peer interaction and instruction all because the bus company STA couldn’t get him to school on time.As a medically fragile child, Shinika said things could be even worse for her son. It’s not only scary, it’s also illegal. That’s because it’s a violation of his Individualized Education Program, a legal document that details the instruction, support and services Ja’Marcus needs.Dr. Angel Wildes is the director of advocacy for the Cornerstone Special Education Alliance, and she has a doctorate in special education. She said IEPs are “all about supporting the child, so they can reach school. This way, they can have a free appropriate public education.
“They are legally obligated to do it no matter what,” she said. ”When they’re not fulfilling the contract, what is the District to do? Well, you have to find another way.”Action News Jax found out that there are provisions in the district’s contract that allow it to find another provider to do the job. Contractually, STA would have to pay for it, but the district hasn’t done that.