Concerns over the Buckhorn School System's walking policy took center stage at the Madison County Schools Board of Education meeting on September 5, 2025. A parent voiced strong objections, citing federal and state laws that protect children's rights to travel to school on foot, emphasizing that the current policy may infringe on these rights.

The parent referenced the Every Student Succeeds Act, which explicitly allows children to travel to school with parental permission, arguing that the district's policy does not align with this federal protection. They also highlighted Alabama's Price Act, which grants parents the fundamental right to decide how their children get to school, asserting that the district's justification for the walking policy lacks legal authority.

While acknowledging the importance of student safety, the parent argued that the focus should shift from restricting student walkers to addressing traffic issues around the school. They proposed practical solutions, such as installing speed bumps to manage traffic flow, suggesting that this would enhance safety without imposing restrictions on students walking to school.

The discussion underscores a growing tension between school policies and parental rights, with implications for how local governments balance safety concerns with the rights of families. The board's response to these concerns and any potential policy changes will be closely watched by the community.