Daniel de Vise at The Washington Post reports that Montgomery County (Maryland) Schools may increase the distances that students have to walk to school. The potential change is a result of record high diesel fuel prices:
The Montgomery County school board last night approved a change to its transportation policy that gives officials emergency powers to extend the distances that students walk to school next year if rising diesel prices leave the school system in fiscal distress.
Students typically have bus service if they live more than one mile from an elementary school, 1 1/2 miles from a middle school or two miles from a high school. The board last changed walking distances in 1996, extending the greatest walking distance to high schools from 1 3/4 miles to two miles. Dozens of parents telephoned the school system to protest, and several petitioned the board in person.
Staff at The Low-Tech Times are not enjoying the recent higher fuel costs; however, the Montgomery County move is seen as a positive development. With more pre-teens and teens having to walk to school, this move could not only save the suburban county outside of Washington, D.C. some money, but may also help combat childhood obesity. In this age of video game addictions, children spending more time outdoors is definitely a good thing.
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