During the Walled Lake Consolidated School District Board of Education meeting on December 5, 2024, community members voiced strong support for a proposed redistricting plan that would keep Loon Lake Elementary students connected to Walled Lake Western High School. Residents expressed concerns about the potential disruption to established community ties and the logistical challenges posed by alternative school assignments.

Wixom resident and Loon Lake Elementary parent highlighted the importance of maintaining existing relationships among families, emphasizing how their children currently walk to Loon Lake and have a short bus ride to Sarah Banks Middle School. The parent noted that many families in their subdivision have already chosen to transfer to Western to preserve their community network, which has been built over years of shared experiences. They argued that the original plan to transition students from Loon Lake to Banks and then to Western made the most sense for the community.

Another resident, Melissa Cummings, echoed these sentiments, sharing her personal connection to the schools and the community. Cummings expressed relief at the initial proposal that aligned Loon Lake students with Western, only to feel frustration when the plan was reversed. She urged the board to reconsider the original proposal, which would allow children to walk or bike to school rather than face longer bus rides to Central High School, a location unfamiliar to many in the area.

The discussions at the meeting underscored a strong desire among parents for a school district plan that reflects the community's needs and preserves the bonds formed among families. As the board considers redistricting options, the voices of residents like Cummings and others will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future of local education and community cohesion.