Orion Township resident Chris Stewart is angry that her five-year-old daughter will be expected to walk to Blanche Sims Elementary from her home near Conklin Road when school begins on Aug. 30.
Stewart, who lives 9/10ths of a mile from the school, said she was told by Lake Orion Schools that her two daughters would have to walk to school this year. She said children living within a mile of the school will not be allowed to take the bus this year, although there is a stop near her home.
‘My neighbors got a telephone call, and we did also,? she said. ‘We’re not considered walkers…We pay for the bus service out here, where is our money going now??
Stewart’s neighbor, Robert Shook, said his four- and a half-year-old daughter Brianna would also have to walk to Blanche Sims this year.
‘You can’t tell me it’s safe to let a four-and a half-year-old walk to school,? Stewart said. ‘The Shooks only have one vehicle.
‘My daughter has no one to walk with,? she said. ‘Where is our money going? I’m not going to let my five-year-old walk in the rain and snow.?
Stewart said she asked Blanche Sims Principal Eric Whitney about the new rule and was told there was a meeting about it held in early spring.
‘He said 30-40 people had attended,? Stewart said. ‘Out of a school of 300-400 students, only 30-40 parents showed up? The note they sent us did not say ‘Your kids will be walking.? The kids are put on the bus so they’ll be safe.?
Stewart said she emailed Lake Orion Schools Transportation Director Jim Ferrand about her concerns but that he had not contacted her yet.
Ferrand had not returned calls from The Lake Orion Review at press time.
‘I’m the only parent on this block right now that doesn’t have their kids picked up,? Stewart said. ‘There are bus stops nearby.?