Manton Schools cuts city busing to help with budget issues

Jeff Broddle | Cadillac News Tiffany Miller, 12, walks the route she takes home from school in Manton. She used to be able to ride the bus home from school, but the school board recently cut school busing in the city of Manton. Cost savings for next year will be between $6,000 and $7,000.

MANTON — Although they live within a mile of Manton Schools, Heidi Miller doesn’t want her 12-year-old daughter to walk to school.

Not only does Tiffany Miller have to carry around a saxophone and a backpack sometimes weighing 30 pounds, but her mother said there are dangers too.

During the 8/10 of a mile, which the Millers have measured, Tiffany would have to cross U.S. 131 and walk near the home of people listed on the Michigan Sex Offenders Registry.

Because her daughter was able to take the bus, this was never an issue for Miller until now.

Due to budget issues, the school board has cut busing in the city of Manton. Those students who live in the city within a mile of the school are now required to walk to school or find another mode of transportation. Letters were sent out to parents last week.

“This is something we decided to do the remainder of the year and next year,” said board member Harold Kibbe. “In the past, we didn’t have busing in the city. It has been a luxury for the last six to eight years.”

Manton bus transportation supervisor Linda Stahl added that Manton is one of the few smaller cities that have provided bus service in the city. Although making cuts are hard, she said the school looks at areas that will have the least impact on the students.

“Many students who live nearby the school already walk now, so only a few are affected,” Stahl said. “Most who are affected are within a half-mile from the school, with some a little further.”

The new policy, which includes the rest of this school year and the 2007-08 school year, eliminates city school bus service in the spring and fall. There will be transportation in the mornings from November through February, but not after school.

By not providing city bus service for the remainder of this year, the school will save $1,700. Next year, the savings will be between $6,000 and $7,000.

The busing for city students will cease Monday, when students return from spring break.

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FAST FACT

Q: Are school districts required to transport children to and from school?

A: No. The school district is obligated to provide transportation of a special education student if the Individualized Educational Planning Committee (IEPC) has determined that the transportation is a specialized service, which is included within and necessary to carry out the student’s IEP.

SOURCE: Michigan Department of Education

tberkebile@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)