For students in Del Valle, a new school year comes with a new school. Dailey Middle School will sit alongside Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary School on FM 969.

The new school comes with freshly installed sidewalks, and because of that, Del Valle Independent School District officials chose to discontinue school bus service in that area for students that attend either Dailey Middle School or Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary.

In an e-mail, Del Valle ISD said the sidewalks provide a safe route for children. They also said Travis County officials plan to provide two crossing guards at one of the main intersections used to travel to school.

Austin Colony resident Rosie Wilson said she has the papers to show dozens of her neighbors don’t think it’s a safe plan.

"Seems like if they stop the bus, they won't be protected because they'll be walking along the streets by themselves," Wilson said. "A lot of parents have to work and can't see to their kids."

Wilson started a petition by going door-to-door to ensure parents knew about the upcoming change, even though Del Valle ISD mailed letters to everyone affected. Wilson said at least half the people she spoke with were unaware that school bus service would be discontinued.

She presented the petition during a school board meeting Tuesday night. The item was not on the agenda for school board members to discuss.

Wilson has two grandchildren who attend elementary school. According to pedestrian routes provided by Del Valle ISD, the shortest route from Wilson's home to school would be slightly less than 1.25 miles. Traveling through an area where they would be most directly supervised by crossing guards, at Austin's Colony Boulevard and Westall Street, would add an additional quarter-mile onto their walk.

Angela Haywood has a six-year-old grandson who attends Hornsby-Dunlap.

"It's not safe with the sex offenders," Haywood said.

According to maps provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, there are four sex offenders living within a couple blocks of Wilson and Haywood. Eight more live within a mile of the schools.

As Del Valle ISD strives to provide a safe route to school for the neighborhood's children, some families are changing their work schedules to adapt.

"I'm not going to take a chance on him walking to school. I'll do what I've got to do, but I think the buses will be better for all kids," Haywood said.

One area in Austin's Colony has not yet had sidewalks installed, so those students will still take a bus to school, according to Del Valle ISD.