POWAY, Calif. -- It is a big day for students and parents -- they're geared up with new school supplies, new clothes and a fresh start to a new school year.

"It's a joyous day. The kids are excited to come back. Teachers are excited to start another year and seeing all those enthusiastic faces makes me happy," said Highland Ranch Elementary School teacher Anita Watson.

But this year, parents have to deal with change.

Budget cuts have eliminated bus service at many elementary schools in the Poway Unified School District, saving $1.2 million a year.

"I would beg for the bus service to come back; I miss it," said mother Gretchen Christensen.

More than 1,000 Poway Unified School District students won't be bused to school this fall.

Some parents can pay for a $400 bus pass, for Christensen, who has three children at Highland Ranch Elementary, there is no service available.

"I have a kindergartener, she's five; and I have a third grader, she is 8; and I also have a fifth grader and he went home with a friend today," said Christensen.

She now has to take her kids to and from school everyday.

"We live in Bernardo Heights. It's so far away that we're all so sad that it's gone," said Christensen.

For the most part, the new criterion affects elementary schools. All but six -- Painted Rock, Chaparral, Terra Bonita, Willow Grove and Morning Creek -- will be without busing.

"It's really about the budget and lack of funding for home-to-school regular transportation, the problems out of Sacramento. For three decades now they haven't adequately funded home-to-school regular transportation," said Tim Purvis of the Poway Unified School District.

The district has scaled back busing to only routes with at least 50 roundtrip student riders, leaving many parents with no option but to change their schedules.

The budget is now over a month overdue, and school administrators said it's unlikely the situation will change.