Parents and students in a school district outside Boston were informed last week that they would have to go without school bus service due to a lack of funds and buses.

Stoughton Public Schools’ 150 students will have to find a new way to get to school before school starts on Sept. 4, the Boston Herald first reported. The news comes as the school will cover bus costs for migrant students from the more than 200 migrant families who recently moved to the community.

“Unfortunately, 150 secondary students who signed up for bus transportation were unable to be placed on a bus for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year,” reads a letter from school superintendent Joseph Baeta to parents. “The families who will not receive bus transportation were notified this week. Those who will receive bus transportation will receive their bus postcards the week of August 19.”

School buses are lined up in a parking lot. (jhorrocks/iStock)

“We understand the disappointment and frustration this has caused for families who have not received bus transportation,” the letter continues. “We feel it is important to explain this situation to all of our families so that you can better understand how it got to this point.”

Compared to last year, over 160 more students have signed up for bus transportation, the letter said. Due to budget cuts, the district has one fewer bus than last year. The principal also said there is a shortage of bus drivers.

There is no requirement in the state of Massachusetts to provide transportation for students in grades 7 through 12, but the district is required to provide bus transportation for students living in hotels and shelters, the letter said. However, according to the school’s superintendent, the arrival of migrant families in Stoughton is not the reason for the lack of buses.

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“We use the funds provided by the state to the district to bus students living in hotels/homes,” the letter states. “The funds for these two buses do not come from our operating budget. It is inaccurate to say that these children getting the bus are the reason you did not get a bus. If we did not receive the funds from the state for students living in hotels/homes, we would not be able to have these two additional buses.”

The district said there was not much it could do to provide additional buses, but announced there would be a virtual forum Monday evening where families could voice concerns or ask questions.

In a letter sent by the superintendent of Stoughton in March, he acknowledged that the increase in migrant numbers was contributing to “financial pressures.”

(Little boy waiting for the school bus.)

“The district is experiencing an increase in preschool through 12th grade enrollment, including our migrant students, and unprecedented pressures in the areas of special education, transportation and English learner services,” he wrote. “Our main priorities have been retaining teaching staff and supporting the large influx of students we have welcomed this year, including providing the English learner services they need.”

“To accommodate this increase in our student numbers, we have had to make adjustments across the budget,” he added. “The situation remains fluid as we receive more information and advocate for additional funding from the state.”

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Some parents expressed their dismay at the news on Facebook.

“So how are 150 Stoughton students going to get to school now? I found out YESTERDAY that our son lost his seat on the bus along with 149 other students…this is Stoughton Pride,” said one parent. “They didn’t even offer us an alternative, like maybe a paid ride, which we would do because we have NO other way to get our son to school. This town disgusts me. So my child has to walk 3 miles to school and back, right on Route 138!?! We practically live in North Easton. What are all these families supposed to do!? Unbelievable.”

“Stoughton, MA, just last week cut bus service for students,” said another parent. “They tell parents to take care of transportation. There are 237 immigrant families in the town who are guaranteed bus service, so the cuts to student bus service only affect legal residents of Stoughton. The schools requested and received a 7.1% increase in funding this year. Migrants cause financial burden, says the town manager. 2 buses are dedicated exclusively for migrants.”

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When asked for comment, Stoughton Public Schools referred Fox News Digital to its statement sent to families.

Stoughton Town Manager Thomas Calter wrote a letter to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey in February stating that at least 237 immigrant families have moved into their community, which is having a “negative impact” on the budget, economic development and safety of our community.