Budget cuts in one school district may force hundreds of elementary kids to walk a dangerous path to school.
Utah's Alpine School District recently cut dozens of bus routes to save money.
But, the decision has many parents upset. And, they're fighting to get at least one route running again.
Education Specialist Sandra Yi has the story.
For students at Rocky Mountain Elementary in Lindon, the shortest route to school is on parts of this trail.
One reason parents are upset - it runs along an open canal about six feet deep.
Parents say it's a hazardous solution to the district's budget problems.
If there's no school bus, this is the trail Jeff Southard's 5- and 7- year -old girls would have to walk to get to school this fall.
The Alpine district recently cut dozens of bus routes to save money.
Jeff Southard/Parent: "WE UNDERSTAND THEY DIDN'T CUT IT FOR FUN. THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT TO CUT OUT. WE'RE HOPING THOUGH, IN THIS CASE, THEY WILL REINSTATE THE BUS ROUTE FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL."
Concerned parents say the trail is unsafe for the 100's of young kids in the area.
The multi-use trail runs along an open - unfenced canal - and is unplowable in the winter.
Also - the path crosses an open field, which may make it difficult for children to get help in an emergency.
Parents are also uneasy because three registered sex offenders live within blocks of here.
Jeff Southard/Parent: "AND THERE ARE MANY AREAS THAT YOU CAN SEE DOWN THE PATH THAT WOULD BE EASY PLACES TO HIDE OR FOR SOMEBODY TO LAY IN WAITING FOR SMALL CHILDREN. WE JUST SEE IT AS AN UNACCEPTABLE SOLUTION."
But Alpine officials insist canceling some routes not reimbursed by the state is the best solution for the district, which saw a 5 million dollar shortfall this year.
The state will pay for buses if kids live a certain distance away from the school.
Cutting the un-reimbursed routes could save the district a half a million dollars and keep it from using it's maintenance and operation money to subsidize transportation.
Still, administrators say safety is important and they may reinstate some bus routes.
Vern Henshaw/Superintendent: "WE'LL CONTINUE LOOKING AT THEIR CONCERNS AND EVALUATE THEM SO THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS."
Parents say if the bus route is not reinstated, they will have to find some way to drive their kids to school every day.
The district says it may add more bus routes once it knows how many students there are.
Aug. 1, 2002
