Board Reverses Decision on Parental Responsibility Zones, School System to Transport Students

Two options were presented to the Barrow County Board of Education on Tuesday night that would provide transportation to students affected by the school system's implementation of  

Several concerned parents addressed the board, asking members to reconsider the zones, which would make students in middle and high school who live within 1.5 miles from the schools they attend, according to the nearest practical route by bus, ineligible for transportation services provided by the school system.

According to Superintendent Wanda Creel, implementing the zones would save the school system $467,000. 

After hearing from the parents who signed up to address the board, Creel presented both plans for board members to consider. 

Under the first option, students living in the parental responsibility zones would be provided transportation via existing routes with an addition of nine buses — four within the Apalachee cluster of schools and five within the Winder-Barrow cluster — at a projected cost of $350,000. 

The second option was a "shuttle" type plan, with five buses — two for the Apalachee cluster and three for Winder-Barrow — shuttling middle and high school students from subdivision entrances within the parental responsibility zones. The estimated cost of this plan was $195,000.

The board initially denied both plans, but following an executive session approved the first option with a 7 to 2 vote with the intention of readdressing the issue after school starts. Board members Connie Wehunt and Lynn Stevens voted against the plan. 

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