TRAVERSE CITY -- Students in Josh Veith's social studies classes like to talk about politics, especially when issues surface that concern their daily lives.
But Veith noticed they tended to express opinions to each other within the classroom walls. So he had his students at Traverse City High School put their ideas on paper and address them to politicians.
The teens write letters every Friday to various government leaders, from President Barack Obama to outgoing Traverse City Mayor Michael Estes.
Last month, they researched potential budget cuts for next year in Traverse City's public schools and drafted letters to a district committee generating a list of recommendations.
Close to 30 letters were scanned and uploaded to the district's Web site.
"It makes me feel like I'm actually heard out a little bit," said Anthony Parker, 17, a senior at the alternative high school.
He's writing a note to the city commission now.
Offering input to the committee accomplishes two goals, Veith said -- not only are students active in the political process, they're letting decision-makers know how their choices will affect those with the most at stake.
Students are particularly concerned about a suggestion to cut high school busing, a move that could save an estimated $1 million. Many at Traverse City High don't have consistent transportation and rely on the bus.
Administrators years ago eliminated buses for high school students, but later reinstated them.
"There are kids in this district that can't afford cars," said senior Britany Abbey, 18, adding that buses no longer travel down her street. "A lot of people wouldn't be going to school."
One idea is to transport students from kindergarten through 12th grade on the same bus, thus cutting down on the number of overlapping buses -- an estimated $500,000 in savings.
Student Ashley Archey wrote that she attended schools where multiple grades were successfully combined, and it "would be beneficial" if tried in Traverse City.
But senior Jeff Lick, 18, isn't so sure.
He said buses from Traverse City High pick up students from the Traverse Bay Area Career-Tech Center before continuing on to Central and West high schools. Adding more students, especially smaller ones, could pose a problem.
"My bus is always cramped," Lick said. "Because kids are bigger, there's only two to a seat."
Senior Michelle Brown, 17, said the committee should eliminate half days because it's difficult to accomplish much in short class periods.
"It might not save a lot of money, but it will save enough," she said.
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