ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Public Schools has announced bus routes for the upcoming year, and more than 130 parents took to social media to voice their concerns.
A recurring theme in the concerns parents are raising included whether adjusted routes are safe for their kids given that many will have to walk longer distances from their homes than in previous years, according to several of their comments. Parents also questioned the safety of some bus stops, claiming that many are in dangerous areas with a lot of traffic.
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In comments under the school division’s Facebook post announcing the routes and shared posts, a myriad of parents said their elementary and middle school kids will need to walk nearly a mile to catch the bus.
However, Roanoke City Public Schools told 10 News that the family responsibility zone for elementary students is 0.25 miles, and a maximum of 0.6 miles for middle and high school students. The school district defines family responsibility zones as “areas where parents are required to determine transportation for their child(ren). It may mean the child walks to school or is driven by a family member or friend.”
This announcement comes amid modifications to start and dismissal times, new bus numbers and a new transportation provider.
The school division said they are aiming to improve transportation reliability, decrease delays and maximize efficiency with the changes. Here’s a full look at the changes being made
Parents, we want to hear from you!