Box Elder parents struggle without school buses - KOTA Territory News

Box Elder parents struggle without school buses

Last year dozens of children living within two miles of the Douglas schools in Box Elder were left without busing because of budget cuts.

Despite their best efforts, a year later the unsafe situation remains unchanged.

Since the school buses began passing up the Valley Village Mobile Home Park, single mother Amber Rayner says it's a battle between safety, time and cost.
 
"Usually I have to be at work at 7:30 am, now I have to adjust my schedule to accommodate taking my daughter to and from school. Now I  have to sit here and try to work this out every morning," said Rayner.
 
Parents in this area now have three options for getting their children to school. They can give them a ride, let them walk along North Ellsworth highway, or charter a bus for about $35 per child from a local busing company. But that's not an affordable option for everyone.
 
"It's a little expensive just to go to and from school, it's not in my budget to even look at that," said Rayner.
 
"Someone is going to get hurt, I hope its not my kid or someone else's kid. I see everyone drive by, I've seen people do their makeup, people reading their newspaper while driving. It breaks my heart," said Bubba Larive, parent and organizer of The Safe Passage committee.
 
The efforts of parents and neighbors have meant fewer kids are walking along the highway, but the mayor says he wants a permanent solution.
 
"I'm working with the school system and I'd like to get the state involved and get that two mile limit back in, but I don't know how that would work out," said Box Elder Mayor Bill Griffiths.
 
"Signs would be great. Slow traffic down. Then, I wouldn't have to be out there. I want to make people aware," said Larive.
 
For now, it's a daily struggle  for these families with no end in sight.
 
"They deserve the buses back," said Rayner.

A committee started by concerned parents has so far raised$3,000  to purchase a new bus. Members say they need at least $10,000 to get started.
Mayor Griffiths says he's working with legislators to secure additional funding.