District News
Update on policy related to safe bicycle riding on school property
School district
administrators are reviewing a revised
policy regarding safe riding of bicycles on school property,
with a goal of finalizing details by November. The policy
change would allow elementary and middle school students to ride
bikes on school property under certain circumstances. Students
would need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, written
approval must be on file, and school district administrators and
individual school planning committees must determine whether
there are safe access points at each school. (For the
complete text of the policy, click
here.)
The policy
applies to the elementary schools and the Maple Avenue Middle
School. Students at the Saratoga Springs High School previously
were allowed to ride bikes to school.
The Board of
Education approved the policy revision on Oct. 13. Because the
traffic situation varies from school to school, individual
safety plans are needed for each building. Maple Avenue and
elementary principals are working to develop a written plan in a
timely manner regarding safe bike routes on school grounds.
“Our concern
as a school district is the safety of our children,” said Janice
White, superintendent of schools. “We have no jurisdiction over
the routes students use to travel to school, but are responsible
for them when they reach school property. The times when
children would be riding to and from school coincide with the
times when there is maximum traffic in those areas. It’s
important that we take the time to develop guidelines that
specifically address the situation at each school.”
The revised policy also states that the school board supports the district’s involvement in Safe Routes to School, a national program that encourages children to safely walk and bicycle to school.
Mrs. White expressed her appreciation to the following for their efforts in providing the Board of Education with findings and recommendations regarding safe biking: Michael Piccirillo, assistant superintendent for secondary education, Peter Sheehan, director for physical education and athletics, and members of the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee.