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School locations key for safety of youth
Published September 11, 2009
Michael Morris’ Facts editorial commended Brazosport ISD for ensuring the safety of schoolchildren by bussing them across Highway 288, which is currently undergoing construction. Because all of Lake Jackson’s elementary schools are on the east side of Highway 288, all kindergartens through fifth-graders living on the west side must cross the highway to get to and from school.
Mr. Morris ends his discussion by challenging the community to decide if bussing is the best long-term solution, given the added expense and impact to resources and environment. Additionally, a previous Facts letter to the editor raised concerns about students having to cross the highway without the benefit of crosswalks and reduced-speed school zones in the event of a conflict with the bus schedule.
Interestingly, another article in the same edition of newspaper suggests a viable alternative to this problem “BISD asks for $166 million in bonds.” BISD is seeking funding via a bond proposal which includes replacing Beutel Elementary. This creates a unique opportunity to correct the geographical imbalance by locating the replacement facility on the west side of Highway 288. The opportunity is all the more attractive given the attendance zones for all four elementary schools span both sides of the highway. Why not place the new elementary facility on the west side of 288 to serve the students the students in this area, thereby eliminating the single most dangerous traffic hazard related to school access?
Placing an elementary school on the west side of highway would greatly improve getting kids safely to and from school. The national Safe Routes to School guidelines, as well as the Oregon School Siting Handbook both recommend placing schools so that kids can walk or bike without having to cross major roadways. There are many other benefits to the community as well:
• Neighborhood schools build a sense of community, enhancing the social and safety network for the children,
• Reduced transportation cost for both parents and taxpayers,
• Reduce traffic congestion on the few remaining roads crossing Highway 332 (SRTS guide indicates 20-25 percent of morning rush-hour traffic is due to parents driving kids to school),
• Saving resources and eliminating emissions to the environment, and
• Promoting a habit of physical activity.
This last item cannot be overstated. According to the Center for Disease Control, from 1969 to 2001 the percent of children walking or biking to school decreased from 42 percent to 16 percent while the percentage of children who are overweight increased from 5 percent to 16 percent.
The best way for Lake Jackson to counteract this disturbing trend and minimize traffic dangers is by placing our schools close to where the students live. Of course this won’t be easy, but the benefit would last for decades to come. The new school facility, if approved, will serve decades of future students, yet we only have this brief window of time to determine how best to serve their needs. Therefore it is very important the community explore all available options in making this decision.
Brenda Colegrove is a resident of Lake Jackson.
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