Local Pastors on Student Safety Pulpit

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Several local pastors called on the Duval County Schools to put school transportation on the front burner again following changes made earlier this year forcing more children to walk to school.

The pastors who are members of the Baptist Ministers Conference said the death of 7-year-old Somer Thompson sparked their action. The first-grader, who lived close to Grove Park Elementary School, was walking home from the Clay County school in Orange Park when she disappeared Monday. She was later found dead.

"We realize we cannot go door to door," said Pastor Frederick Newbill, referencing school to bus service. "That's not an option, but I believe we can meet somewhere, we can meet somewhere in the middle."

Last spring, Duval extended from 1.5 to 2 miles the distance a child had to live from the school to be eligible for school bus transportation.

The decision is projected to save the district an estimated $5 million dollars since some bus stops and routes were eliminated. Duval was one of the last districts in the state to adopt the two-mile limit.

Paul Soares, chief of operations for Duval, said a lot of thought and debate went into the decision. "The truth is to get a child to school is shared responsibility."

Newbill agreed, saying parents have a big role in the safety of their children.

Next week the ministers plan to meet with Duval Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals.

On Friday, the superintendent sent principals of Duval County schools a letter reminding them to emphasize to students the rules of safety.

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