Black Mountain Primary School revises policy for walkers

New procedure emphasizes student safety during ‘busiest time of day’

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 5, 2022

A revised policy by Black Mountain Primary School, which went into effect Oct. 3, will allow parents who live “within walking distance” of the campus to walk their children to school. Photo by Fred McCormick

A revised policy at Black Mountain Primary School will allow students whose parents live or work within walking distance of the campus to walk to school. 

The new procedures, which according to the school are designed to ensure the safety of the students, went into effect, Oct. 3, following a petition that garnered nearly 200 signatures. 

Kaycee Everhardt launched the public appeal at the beginning of the school year, after learning she was not permitted to walk her daughter to and from the campus. BMP’s original 2022-23 policy required walkers to live within a block of the building, and to be checked in at the front office upon arrival. The rule was specific to BMP, as the Buncombe County School System allows each school to establish procedures and safety plans for walkers. 

Eckhardt, who lives approximately one mile from the school, said she bought a home within walking distance of BMP for the purpose of walking her daughter to and from school. 

“I felt really strongly, from the beginning, that this was a community issue and not just an issue of me being disgruntled’” she said. The response to the petition validated her belief, she added. 

“It’s one of those issues that hits people on both sides of the political spectrum, and we don’t see that very often,” Eckhardt said. “I think the community spoke up about it because this is a safe community, where people feel comfortable walking.” 

The new BMP policy, which was communicated to parents, Sept. 29, reinstates walking for families who live “within walking distance,” and asks parents to consider volunteering to open car doors, stand near entrances and help families cross busy streets.

The arrival procedure for walkers requires parents to accompany their children to the front door of the school, while encouraging pedestrians to utilize sidewalks and crosswalks, when available. Parents are also asked not to park at nearby businesses to walk students to school.  

Policies for dismissal, which the school stated is its “busiest time of the day” in a social media post announcing the new policy, require parents to avoid walking through the car line as they pick up their children from a designated location. Walkers will depart from the front of the school to keep foot and car traffic in separate areas.

Eckhardt is “super grateful” for the school’s decision to revise the previous policy. 

“I met with the principal, Kelly Owen, last Friday and we had a wonderful, honest and collaborative conversation,” she said. “I know her heart was in the right place, and so were her intentions. I think the fact that she heard the community, leaned into changing the policy and put the structure in place in the short time she did, really speaks to her desire to be responsive to the voice of the community.”

Eckhardt, who is now walking her daughter to and from school, also commended BMP for its willingness to address the public’s concern and create a safe policy that accommodates walkers. 

“Things like this can often take months,” she said. “Within three weeks, the school listened to the community and changed the policy, even though it requires extra resources, time and effort. I really appreciate that level of effort at that pace.”

The revised policy was made in consultation with the School Safety Team, School Advisory Council and School Improvement Team, according to a spokesperson for the Buncombe County School System.

“The change also includes clear parameters to keep students and parents safe in the vicinity of the school,” Director of Communications Stacia Harris said in an email. “Safety and security are our top priorities, and our plans and procedures are modified as resources become available and input is gathered from staff, parents and stakeholders.”