NINE MALL FALLS, Wash. - A Suncrest couple has removed their five school-age children from Lake Spokane Elementary School after a school official there reported the mother to Child Protective Services in mid-November.

In response, the Nine Mile School District - which borders northwest Spokane and Stevens County - is investigating the incident.

Dan and Maree Koolstra said the incident began on Nov. 17 when their two oldest children missed the bus.

The couple claims they have told their 8- and 10-year-old children that if they miss bus then they have to walk to school as punishment. They allege this is a form of punishment they have set in the past and have enforced from time-to-time.

On Nov. 17 the children missed the bus and were forced to walk the 1.4 miles to school.

The children walked along a dirt path off Highway 291 to get there.

Maree Koolstra said she followed the children along as she drove in her car to monitor their progress.

Upon seeing the boys walking to school, a school official there contacted CPS and that agency contacted the Koolstras.

A meeting with Nine Mile Falls School District Superintendent Brian Talbott occurred Monday.

Dan Koolstra wanted the school employee immediately fired. Talbott told KREM that nothing would be done until an investigation was complete.

The Koolstra's then decided they would keep their children from school until the matter is resolved.