Pittsboro Mayor Randolph Voller is proposing to build a safer and faster way for kids to walk to school, by improving sidewalks in town using federal stimulus money.

"It's my goal to make the town one of the most walkable towns in North Carolina," Voller said.

Chatham County School Superintendent Robert Logan explains.

"Schools and municipalities can team up to build sidewalks within two miles of school," Logan said.

Mayor Voller said there are many benefits to the plan.

"Walking to school is a good idea because it's good exercise, it's good for parents and kids to get involved with going to school and studies have shown that kids who are walking to school are healthier," Voller said.

But he said the plan includes more than just building sidewalks.

"Part of the program would be to provide safe crosswalk and crossings," Voller said.

Parent Jennifer Harrison agrees it is what the town needs.

"Pittsboro already has great sidewalks, but if they can improve the crosswalks -- especially along 15-501 and that's my biggest concern," Harrison said.

Logan said he agrees with the plan, but there are concerns. He said the more students riding the buses, the more money the district gets from the state for transportation. If kids chose to walk, the district has shell out more money for buses.

"We want children riding buses, especially in town, because it allows us to pick up more kids and improve our efficiency rating," Logan said.

But Voller assures parents that this plan is encouraging kids to walk but the option to ride the bus will not be eliminated no matter how close students live to the school.

The town and district are working together on this proposal, but they said it is just in the beginning stages of discussion and will not be a factor this school year.