County officials, parents to talk about busing policy

Children living within 1.5 miles of Sycamore Elementary, at 10921 Leesville Road, are not offered bus transportation.

Some parents have complained that policy means their children children are walking along and crossing busy Leesville Road. Portions of the road and several side streets do not have sidewalks.

"Someone is going to get hurt," parent Frances Whitaker said.

Wake County officials said that a study of the area surrounding the school determined it is safe for students to walk and that transportation is offered to students that cannot safely walk to the school.

"If it is not where the students can safely cross the road, then we would actually transport them," Eddy Adams, Wake's senior director for transportation, said.

On Tuesday, Principal Kristen Faircloth said that a sidewalk will be added to link one neighboring community to the new school. That project was part of the school's original design but was never completed.

"I believe it is on the fast track," Faircloth said.

Transportation leaders will meet with concerned parents about the walk policy at the meeting, set for 2 p.m. in Sycamore's multipurpose room. School officials will also be present.

Adams said he will answer questions, but could not say if the busing procedures will be changed.