The Oak Ridge school board has backed off from a plan that would have cut bus service to about 1,300 students.
The plan approved in June was designed to help close $1.25-million budget shortfall. It would have ended school bus service for students who live within 1.5 miles of their respective school, as measured by walking distance. The move would have saved an estimated $300,000.
Bur parents pushed back, according to Oak Ridge Today. Parents of elementary- and middle-school students expressed concerns that their children would be exposed to safety hazards, such as heavy traffic, while walking to and from school. Other parents said their jobs made it difficult to drive their children to school every day.
On Monday, the Oak Ridge school board voted to reverse course, restoring the bus service. The routes will not be restored immediately, and in fact the service may not be back until October, according to Oak Ridge Today. Board members also said the vote wouldn't solve the district's money problems. Money to pay for restoring the bus routes comes from a fund that board members are wary of using repeatedly. They'll have to find an additional $500,000 to avoid cuts again next year.