The buses are rolling at the Edmonds School District bus yard, but they won't be stopping Kim Welaye's house anymore. Her daughter's bus route was eliminated over the summer.
"I was like wow! No bus?"
Thanks to nearly $12million in budget cuts, the district had to close two elementary schools and eliminate bus service to 2,500 homes. That's approximately 3,000 students.
"Our budget reductions that total $11.5million include not only closing two elementary schools, but a decision to reduce transportation to only transportation that's funded by the state," says district spokeswoman DJ Jakala.
So the district is asking commuters to be careful this fall. Children who live within a mile of their school, will now either be walking to school or another district bus stop outside of the mile perimeter.
Welaye's daughter goes to Beverly Elementary School on 52 Ave. W. in Lynnwood. She says drivers will really need to slow down.
"It's a 35 mph zone and people tend to go way faster than 35," says Welaye. She's also worried about all the extra traffic around school created by parents who will now be dropping off their children.
"I just don't want parents opening the door and these tots walking down 52nd Ave W. unsupervised."
Transportation cuts are also affecting children in the Puyallup School District - more than 900 bus stops are now gone. According to the American Association of School Administrators, 23% of districts surveyed said they're cutting school transportation, largely because of budget cuts. That's up from 14% the year before.
"In fact, we anticipate we will need to look at further reductions in the spring for the following years budget," says Jakala.
But while Kim's not pleased with this change, she's not mad.
"This is happening to other districts - we're no different. It's not like the district doesn't care. They wouldn't be in the job they're in, if they didn't care about children," says Welaye.
The Edmonds School District sent out notifications over the summer. Officials also called the affected families, and provided them with alternate routes and maps that show where the nearest bus stop, will now be.
Neighborhoods are also bonding together. The strip mall across from Beverly Elementary will let parents park there, and escort their children, rather than clog up the school circle-drive with cars. Other parents are coming up with other plans.
"It's impressive to see a parent say rather than my driving my child and I have one extra seat, they're opting to walk a group of kids to a stop outside the one mile radius to help families, says Jakala.
"What I'm going to ask the community to do is to reroute themselves away from the street in the morning and afternoon involuntarily, and let the children have some space" says Welaye.
The National Center for Safe Routes to School and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration also suggest you go over these safety rules with your children, whether their bus service has been canceled or not.
* Walk with friends or family members
* If there is no sidewalk, be sure to walk on the side of the road facing traffic.
* When crossing the street, use an approved crossing area such as at a traffic signal or other marked intersection. Never dart out between parked cars, jaywalk,
* Walk, don't run, when crossing the street. Also, don't push, shove, or chase others.
* Wear bright-colored clothing or reflective material on shoes, backpacks, and clothing.
* Never take rides from people not arranged by parents.
"I was like wow! No bus?"
Thanks to nearly $12million in budget cuts, the district had to close two elementary schools and eliminate bus service to 2,500 homes. That's approximately 3,000 students.
"Our budget reductions that total $11.5million include not only closing two elementary schools, but a decision to reduce transportation to only transportation that's funded by the state," says district spokeswoman DJ Jakala.
So the district is asking commuters to be careful this fall. Children who live within a mile of their school, will now either be walking to school or another district bus stop outside of the mile perimeter.
Welaye's daughter goes to Beverly Elementary School on 52 Ave. W. in Lynnwood. She says drivers will really need to slow down.
"It's a 35 mph zone and people tend to go way faster than 35," says Welaye. She's also worried about all the extra traffic around school created by parents who will now be dropping off their children.
"I just don't want parents opening the door and these tots walking down 52nd Ave W. unsupervised."
Transportation cuts are also affecting children in the Puyallup School District - more than 900 bus stops are now gone. According to the American Association of School Administrators, 23% of districts surveyed said they're cutting school transportation, largely because of budget cuts. That's up from 14% the year before.
"In fact, we anticipate we will need to look at further reductions in the spring for the following years budget," says Jakala.
But while Kim's not pleased with this change, she's not mad.
"This is happening to other districts - we're no different. It's not like the district doesn't care. They wouldn't be in the job they're in, if they didn't care about children," says Welaye.
The Edmonds School District sent out notifications over the summer. Officials also called the affected families, and provided them with alternate routes and maps that show where the nearest bus stop, will now be.
Neighborhoods are also bonding together. The strip mall across from Beverly Elementary will let parents park there, and escort their children, rather than clog up the school circle-drive with cars. Other parents are coming up with other plans.
"It's impressive to see a parent say rather than my driving my child and I have one extra seat, they're opting to walk a group of kids to a stop outside the one mile radius to help families, says Jakala.
"What I'm going to ask the community to do is to reroute themselves away from the street in the morning and afternoon involuntarily, and let the children have some space" says Welaye.
The National Center for Safe Routes to School and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration also suggest you go over these safety rules with your children, whether their bus service has been canceled or not.
* Walk with friends or family members
* If there is no sidewalk, be sure to walk on the side of the road facing traffic.
* When crossing the street, use an approved crossing area such as at a traffic signal or other marked intersection. Never dart out between parked cars, jaywalk,
* Walk, don't run, when crossing the street. Also, don't push, shove, or chase others.
* Wear bright-colored clothing or reflective material on shoes, backpacks, and clothing.
* Never take rides from people not arranged by parents.
