Transportation changes at MUSD

I am writing as a concerned, and somewhat angry, parent. I have a son going into the 9th grade at Maricopa High School. This will be his fifth year in the Maricopa school system, and every year I am becoming more disappointed. 
 
I went on the MUSD site today to check out the bus schedule for the high school. Lo and behold, things have changed! We live in Senita, Phase I. Apparently we are just too close to need bussing to the high school. 
 
My son will now be walking 1.78 miles to school, twice a day. He will be trudging in the dirt alongside Maricopa/Casa Grande Highway and making his way across the train tracks. I wish this was a joke, but it’s not. My son and all of the high school students in Senita I, The Villages, Acacia Crossings and surrounding areas will now be made to walk.
 
What about the safety of these children? The area of town that the students will be traveling through isn’t really designed to be safe for scores of kids walking to school. The area around the train tracks at 347 is a mess! I don’t like to drive over the tracks to get to the high school much less have my 14-year-old child walk them. What a nightmare this has become!
 
What happened? Why in the world did the district spend all that time and money on the new bus area if they are using the buses less? Is this the best way to spend money? How can this decision be made, and we have no say?

I am aware of the 1.5 mile situation (MUSD transportation letter detailing walk routes); however,  that is a radius, not how far your child will actually walk. The shortest safe walking route for my son will be 1.78 miles. He would be walking from the Senita I entrance off of Maricopa/Casa Grande Highway and then east to the light at 347.  The thought of my child walking along the side of the road, where there are no sidewalks and 18-wheelers barreling along, is ridiculous to me.

This situation is beyond frustrating.
 
Please help me understand…help other parents understand.
 
Tobi Lee Smith

Submitted photo