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Miller McCoy Academy, A Failing School In New Orleans East, Cuts Back School Bus Services

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Schools are back in session after Mardi Gras break. At one school, many students are adjusting to a change: no more yellow school buses.

When Miller McCoy Academy started back up on Monday, many students who had relied on yellow buses had to find a new way there. That's because the charter school, located in New Orleans East, cut back its bus services. It eliminated several routes and combined others.

The school's board members say the change saves $14,000 a month. They've distributed about 150 bus tokens to students.

Gina Womack is Executive Director of Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children. She says several parents expressed concern about the change.

"Some of the parents, they chose this school especially based on the fact that they would get bus service," Womack says. "And to then just have that discontinued is beyond not being fair. It's unjust."

The school will continue its bus service to the West Bank and provide one bus for Mid-City, Carrollton and Uptown. But students in the Ninth Ward, Gentilly, Central City and the East have to take public transportation or find their own rides.

Miller McCoy is set to close this spring after receiving a failing letter grade.

Support for education reporting on WWNO comes from Baptist Community Ministries and Entergy Corporation.

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