BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
Clarkston Community Schools released details of its new Transportation Service Model, changing some school bus stops and class times.
‘Our goal is to reduce costs in transportation so that we are able to keep educational dollars directly in the classroom,? said Anita Banach, director of communications and marketing.
‘We hope to accomplish a reduction in costs by identifying areas where changes can be made.?
The new plan increases distances between stops, eliminates stops that require the bus to back up, and consolidating neighborhood stops at the entrance to some subdivisions, Banach said.
School officials have been fielding several calls from concerned parents about the changes, and some parents are collecting signatures to protest them.
Dee Dee Welch, parent of three Clarkston students, said they should have been informed earlier.
‘I know some of the parents I have spoke with are very upset with this change,? Welch said.
‘My concern is, by the time I get them home, they will have to do home work, eat dinner, shower, and get ready for bed. Where will be the time they can play and be children??
District officials will keep parents informed of details as they are finalized, Banach said.
‘We realize any change in bus service may be difficult and require adjustments for our families,? Banach said.
‘We will be communicating with everyone affected to try to make the transition as easy as possible.?
According to the Budget Reduction List prepared by district administration, the new plan will save $150,000.
Busing for special-education students is mandated by the state and will not be changed.
School officials may make additions to the list of changes. Postcards listing specific bus-stop locations will be mailed to all students in August.

Changes to school schedule,
bus transportation system

Start/stop times for 2007-?08 are:
? 7:45-2:35, Clarkston High School;
? 7:30-2:20, Clarkston Junior High;
? 8:30-3:20, Sashabaw Middle School;
? 8:20-3:30, Anderson and Independence elementaries, AM Kindergarten 8:20-11:27, PM Kindergarten 12:22-3:30:
? 9:10-4:20, Bailey Lake, Clarkston, Springfield Plains, North Sashabaw, and Pine Knob elementaries, AM Kindergarten 9:10-12:17, PM Kindergarten 1:12-4:20.

Bus stops have been changed or consolidated in some areas. These areas will be assigned a stop so that the bus doesn’t have to back up:
? Clement and Caribou Lake Lane;
? N. Eston and Whipple Lake Road;
? Pine Needle and Campfire Circle;
? Floretta and Parnell;
? Birchdale and Rusty Lane;
? Big Lake Road and Old Oaks;
? Kier and Bird Road;
? Hawksmoore and Beckford;
? Meadows and Sashabaw Ridge;
? Meyers Circle;
? Bronco and Paula;
? Morning and Long Point; and
? Scott Road and Tamcyn.
These areas are assigned a stop on the main road outside the neighborhood:
? Horseshoe Circle;
? Ashford;
? Ranch Estates;
? Ascension/Delhi;
? Mustang.Bronco, of Timberline Estates;
? Ridge Trail of Independence Valley;
? Wyngate;
? Marconi.Dubuque;
? Bridge Valley;
? Tappon/Felix.
These area no longer qualify for bus transportation:
? Timber Ridge subdivision, to North Sashabaw Elementary;
? Chestnut Hill subdivision, to Clarkston Elementary and Clarkston Junior High.
? Info provided by Clarkston schools