CROSBY, Texas (KTRK) — School district leaders are pushing back school start times, citing a bus driver shortage across Crosby ISD.
District leaders say they conducted a parent survey that found 45% of parents were ok with students starting school later, beginning in January, to help alleviate school bus delays. They say 44% weren’t ok with making the shift, and the other 11% answered they weren’t sure.
Some middle school parents say this is a major inconvenience, especially in the middle of the school year when their changes are the most drastic.
“To me, it’s stupid. To me, it was not thought out,” middle school mom, Jackie Abendroth, said. “The whole thing is lacking. Why do this to the kids in the middle of the school year, and then all of a sudden we’re having to adjust all this time?”
Abendroth has a sixth-grade student at Crosby Middle School. She says the district’s move to start later, especially for students in 6th to 8th grade, is concerning parents.
Beginning in January, school district leaders say high school students will start and end five minutes earlier. Elementary school will start and end 15 minutes earlier. And middle school will start and end an hour and 20 minutes later.
“With opinions nearly split, the urgency of the issue led us to move forward with a January implementation,” Crosby ISD superintendent Paula Patterson said.
The Crosby ISD superintendent apologized for the inconvenience on social media and said middle schoolers will now start at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 4:20 pm.
“We all go to work by 8 o’clock. So all of our kids are going to have to be on the bus. So now you have more children that are going to be in the bus system than what this is going to take care of,” Abendroth said.
ABC13 asked Crosby ISD how they’re bracing for a potential increase in students needing bus rides to school in the morning due to this shift in start time, but they haven’t answered.
The district says they are growing and dealing with growing pains as student enrollment increases and as they deal with a bus driver shortage.
District representatives confirm there is a proposed bus driver pay increase, which they hope will bring relief.
For updates on this story, follow Daniela Hurtado on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Copyright © 2025 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Niko Travis is a dedicated health writer with a passion for providing clear, reliable, and research-backed information about medications and mental health. As the author behind TrazodoneSUC, Niko simplifies complex medical topics to help readers understand the benefits, uses, and potential risks of Trazodone. With a commitment to accuracy and well-being, Niko ensures that every article empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health.
