Busing to some Niles Elementary students cut - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

NILES, Ohio - Parents in Niles are speaking out about changes to the school's busing system.

Beginning Monday morning, some elementary school students living within a mile of their school will be asked to walk.

After the Niles school system faced fiscal emergency last year, the school cut three bus routes and expanded the "walk zone" to a one mile radius. That means that the school is no longer required to pick-up any child living within a mile of Washington or Rhodes Elementary.

"While we would love to provide door-to-door service for all of our parents, it just isn't feasible with the budgets in the schools as they are today," said Niles City School Superintendent Mark Robinson.

Parents frustrated with the change told 21 News they're concerned for the safety of their children.

"I just think we as a community need to stand up and tell the school system, 'Hey find a way, make it work. Our kids are worth more than a cut to a bus,'" said parent Mike Platt.

"Whose responsible for my child from the time he leaves my house until he gets to that school," said Parent Dawn Lundgren.

According to state law, an elementary school "walk zone" can stretch up to two miles. Niles is within that boundary.

The city says it has taken extra precautions to guarantee the safety of students. That includes crossing guards at high traffic intersections and amendments to the one mile walk-zone meant to exclude areas without sidewalks or areas that have a higher number of registered sex offenders.

The school has said they are trying to accommodate any parents or students with special circumstances.