Long walks to school in the Weber district are upsetting parents

Weber County, Utah — Wednesday is the first day of classes in the Weber School District. The 49 schools in the district have three new schools this year: West Field High School, Mountain View Junior High, and Haven Bay Elementary.

There are already some criticisms in addition to the excitement surrounding the three new schools.

It was necessary to modify the boundaries in order to add the new schools.

Some pupils who were bussed to school are no longer eligible for district transportation due to boundary changes.

Some parents claim that their elementary school children will now have to walk 30 minutes to school alone if they are unable to drive them there.

Parent Janel Hulbert of the Weber School District said, “That’s been a surprise for some and frustrating for others, especially working parents or single parents.”

Previously, Hulbert’s kids were all driven to school by bus. She now has two elementary school children to drive.

The district has little control over what constitutes a “walk zone.” The state imposes certain restrictions.

It’s one and a half miles for primary school. It’s two kilometers for secondary schools,” Weber School District spokesperson Lane Findlay stated.

Families also expressed concern over the lack of sidewalks in some neighborhoods. There’s also the issue of major construction.

“Times have changed and I think people worry more about that,” stated Hulbert. “We are expanding and living in a larger city. Many parents worry about that more now than they might have one or two generations earlier.”

The district claimed that because other buildings had far too many students, boundary adjustments and the construction of additional schools were required.

“There are moments when it feels like a salmon swimming upstream,” stated Matthew Patterson, principal of the recently opened Mountain View Junior High.

Of the three new schools, only Mountain View Junior High will open on schedule. The opening of the other two buildings on August 21 was postponed due to construction.

According to Patterson, “[Students] walk in and their eyes open up super wide.” Simply said, there’s a feeling of exhilaration. It never gets old to see it on their faces.”

The district is hopeful Haven Bay Elementary and West Field High School can complete the necessary renovations and open on September 3. The schools won’t be finished even then.

“There’s going to be a lot of work still happening over the next several months,” Findlay added.