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GAS PRICES MAY FORCE SPOTSYLVANIA POLICY TO TAKE A HIKE OTHER SYSTEMS' POLICIES ABOUT WALKING TO SCHOOL

July 27, 2008 12:15 am

By DAN TELVOCK

Spotsylvania County supervisors and school officials might have some intense policy discussions as the economy continues its downward spiral and fuel prices continue to climb.

In an effort to cut costs, some supervisors have questioned school system policies that discourage students from walking to school and limit the distance students can walk to bus stops. The rules are some of the strictest in the region.

Federal health officials reported earlier this year that nearly a third of U.S. children are either overweight or obese. On July 17, Gov. Timothy Kaine announced $1 million in funding to 13 localities to promote bicycling and walking to school. No school in this region received money.

"I think in light of the continual news stories about childhood obesity and the rising cost of gas, I think it is time we visit this no-walk policy," Supervisor Hap Connors said during a recent interview.

With gas prices hovering well above $3 a gallon during the 2007-08 school year, the school system spent $280,000 more on fuel than it had budgeted. For 2008-09, the system has budgeted $2.3 million for fuel.

In a July 2 letter to supervisors, Spotsylvania Superintendent Jerry Hill wrote that the health and safety of students is a priority in School Board policies.

"The School Board has been reluctant to change this standard because of the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of several Spotsylvania County students who were abducted en route from their bus stops," Hill wrote. "At this time, the School Board has not created any walk-to-school zones because of these concerns."

Hill's letter is referring to the abductions and murders of Sofia Silva and Kati and Kristin Lisk.

Supervisors asked county staff on July 8 to verify Hill's letter because they disputed his account of the students' being abducted en route from their bus stops.

Silva, 16, was abducted Sept. 9, 1996. She is believed to have been working on homework on the front stoop of her home. Kati, 12, and Kristin Lisk, 15, were taken from their home on May 1, 1997.

"I know the panic that was in the community back then, but I don't think the policy is justified now," said Supervisor Jerry Logan.

The school system allows elementary students to walk one-tenth of a mile to bus stops; middle and high school students can walk up to one-third of a mile. The school system had more than 8,700 bus stops during the last school year. Hill said that by using buses with more seating and by increasing ridership, the school system has saved $6.1 million over eight years.

On a recent afternoon at the Fox Point community center, four students playing basketball said they walk to nearby Courtland High School. They said they were not aware of any no-walking policies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 85 percent of students use a car, school bus, public transit or other mode of transportation to get to school. Only 15 percent of trips are made by walking or bicycling.

Judy Roberts, who has a 7-year-old son, said she isn't sure she would ever feel comfortable with her son's walking to school.

"I wouldn't want him to walk by himself," she said.

James Meyer, assistant superintendent for administrative services, said the school system encourages students not to walk to school, but no one polices the policy.

"We have buses going into Fox Point, so the option for the parents is to have the children take the bus," he said.

Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Email: dtelvock@freelancestar.com