Re: Walk Zones and Bond Proposals

[Jamezetta Bedford]

On behalf of the Board of Orange Co Commissioners, I am acknowledging receipt of your email. 

Jamezetta Bedford, Chair

---

From: amber amber <ambrosi...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2024 10:10 AM
To: allboar...@chccs.k12.nc.us <allboar...@chccs.k12.nc.us>; ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: [EXTERNAL MAIL!] Walk Zones and Bond Proposals

 

Good morning,

I wanted to offer these thoughts as I know alternate plans are being created in preparation for the upcoming meeting on June 20.  I feel it is important to advocate for reducing the number of buses in our school district in favor of prioritizing walk zones, acknowledging that some of our students will still rely on buses, but that every walk zone is a benefit to all of us in our community.

1. Promotion of Physical Activity: Prioritizing walk zones encourages nearby students to engage in regular physical activity by walking to school. Walking and biking are simple and effective ways to incorporate exercise into daily routines, promoting physical health and well-being. By reducing reliance on buses, students have the opportunity to incorporate more movement into their day, which is especially important given concerns about childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles.

2. Environmental Sustainability: Reducing the number of buses in operation decreases the carbon footprint of the school district and contributes to environmental sustainability. Transportation emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which have adverse effects on public health and contribute to climate change. By encouraging walking and reducing vehicle miles traveled, our school district can play a role in mitigating these environmental impacts.

3. Traffic Congestion Reduction: Fewer buses on the road mean reduced traffic congestion in and around school zones. Traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up times can be a safety hazard and inconvenience for students, parents, and residents. Prioritizing walk zones helps alleviate congestion by reducing the number of vehicles entering and exiting school grounds, leading to safer and more efficient traffic flow.

4. Cost Savings: Operating a fleet of buses incurs significant costs for the school district, including vehicle maintenance, fuel, driver salaries, and insurance. By reducing the number of buses in operation, the school district can realize cost savings that can be allocated to other educational priorities, such as hiring additional teachers, improving facilities, or expanding extracurricular programs. This allocation of resources can directly benefit students and enhance the overall quality of education.

5. Community Engagement: Prioritizing walk zones fosters a greater sense of community engagement and cohesion. Walking to school allows students to interact with neighbors, explore their surroundings, and develop a stronger connection to their community. It also provides opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage in active transportation and model healthy behaviors for their children. Strengthening community ties can have positive ripple effects on academic achievement, social development, and overall well-being.  Focusing on creating and expanding walk zones will bring more and more families into this lifestyle, if they choose, and lead our town to be increasingly 'walkable' and healthy for all of us.

Thank you,

Amber

On a personal note, I would vote for walk zones, whether my child rides the bus or walks/bikes.  I moved back here from Washington DC and we thought our kids would ride a bus and were surprised to find ourselves in a walk-zone.  But we have now adjusted to walking and we are proud to live in a town where we prioritize walk-zones for the good of the environment and the community overall.