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Forty-year ban on students driving to school is lifted

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By Katherine Ullmer, Staff Writer Updated 11:55 PM Tuesday, August 24, 2010

SUGARCREEK TWP., Greene County — Some Bellbrook High School seniors couldn’t get to school fast enough during the first day of school Tuesday, Aug. 24.

For the first time in about 40 years, seniors were allowed to drive to school.

Kelly Landry, 17, said she got around the no drive rule last year by driving to the nearby Kable’s Mill neighborhood, parking her car and walking 10 minutes to school. Her father sent a letter to the school board encouraging them to drop the ban, Landry said.

“A lot of people were asking for it,” she added.

About 120 of the school’s 200 seniors signed up for the $50 yearly parking pass, said Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Superintendent Keith St. Pierre said.

In the 1970s, the school board banned students driving to school after a student died in a car accident, St. Pierre said. The ban did not affect students who took college or career academy classes off campus since they needed to drive, but the board prohibited all other student drivers until now.

For years, parents lobbied to change the policy, said board member John Harmeyer. The board agreed to lift the ban after recognizing more students have both parents working and the need to drive themselves to after-school activities.

Seniors drivers must have at least 17 credits, no more than one F, at least a 1.75 grade point average, 95 percent attendance, a maximum of four tardies, a valid driver’s license, insurance and parental permission.

The designated parking spaces quickly filled Tuesday morning.

“I don’t like a bus. It’s loud and annoying,” said Turner Allen, 17. “I like the idea of leaving school and going immediately home.”

Lauren Weaver, 17, a cheerleader who also works after school, said driving is “much easier and more convenient.”

“I love it,” said Alex Liggett, 17, a football player. The bus was “cramped and uncomfortable.”

Senior Jordan Virelli arrived with her sister, Shelby Lusardi, a 10th grader, noting how last year’s 30-minute bus ride is now 2 minutes from their driveway to the school parking lot. Instead of waking up at 5:20 a.m., “I get to wake up later,” Virelli said.

Principal Chris Baker said while they were pleased the first day went smoothly, “it’s a pilot program, and if it doesn’t work out, we won’t continue it.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2341 or kullmer@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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