The Barrow County School Board reversed its decision to cut school bus service after an at-times contentious meeting on Tuesday.
Concerned parents packed into the school board meeting to protest a new board policy that would have eliminated bus service for all middle and high school students who live within a mile and a half of school. The new policy was set to begin with the new school year on Monday. The decision would have saved more than $450,000 in transportation costs.
"It's a safety issue. There are no sidewalks or streetlights," said one woman.
"I have no issue with a child walking. I have an issue with a child walking unsafely," said another woman.
The Barrow County sheriff and Winder police chief joined parents with concerns about how the cuts would affect safety.
"Our number priority is to make sure that the kids get to school safely, so it would be a tremendous responsibility added to us," said Winder Police Department Chief Dennis Dorsey.
At the meeting, the board decided to change their mind and re-instate the bus service, even though they still haven't figured out where that money will come from.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:44 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:44:17 GMT
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Parents packed a Barrow County School Board meeting on Tuesday to protest proposed bus service changes.
