In an effort to save $25 million, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools announced earlier this year they were cutting all return bussing from athletic events. “The district is cutting $25 million.  One way bussing is a school board approved cut that affects all teams. It's unfortunate that we have to do one way bussing, but our options are limited. I give the parents and coaches at the three area high schools credit that they have found solutions, and all three programs have done that," said District Athletic Director, Brian Swinehart.  During the fall sports season, teams were forced to pay for their own return bussing. The football team paid for their return bussing, while soccer received no return bussing. Senior Soccer team captain, Matt Klink, commented saying, “I had many memorable trips on the way home from games on the bus but those were all taken away my senior year.” This winter, both boys and girls basketball and the wrestling team will not be bussed home. “With a tight budget and having to pay for tournaments, officials, singlets and warm-ups we just couldn’t fit bussing in there for the kids,” said wrestling coach, George Hajal.

On the other hand, the hockey team is taking charter busses instead of WLCSD busses. Why will they be spending all this money? Believe it or not it’s cheaper to take the charter busses! On top of the $1,600 ice bill the hockey team has to pay this year, they have to pay another $300 for bussing due to this policy. Parent Ed Sarah, commented saying, “It’s tough to flip an ice bill and pay for bussing with how times are.” Walled Lake Schools already has a policy where if any high school team plays in-district, there is no bussing to and from the venue. For any sport that plays early, this puts a burden on both parents who work and upperclassmen, with the ability to drive, to transport the team.

Tough times call for desperate measures. The WLCSD has really stuck it to athletic programs and their families this year cutting bussing at the last minute. Unfortunately, this may only be the beginning.