By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Barbara Whitman, a 20-year resident of Pelham, addressed the Pelham Board of Education Aug. 31, voicing concerns with a bus route on Shelby County 11. Whitman requested the board re-examine a route near Chatham Court that requires the students to cross over the highway to get home.

“(The bus is) putting children off that have to cross that awful highway,” Whitman said. “Maybe that was OK 15 years ago, but I don’t think it is now. I think it’s time we look at that school bus route, at all bus routes, and make sure they are doing what they need to be doing.”

In 2013, Whitman said there were eight accidents with five injuries on Shelby County 11 within the limits of Pelham. There were an additional 12 accidents with only two injuries in 2014.

The growth of Pelham over the years has caused an increase of traffic on the two-lane highway, and there are also five new subdivisions off the road. With buses taking Shelby County 11 to avoid travelling on U.S. 280 along with regular commuters, Whitman said it’s not safe for children to cross over the road.

“We have our own superintendent, we have our own board, we have our own teachers and we have our own everybody,” she said. “Along with that comes the responsibility for transportation.”

Superintendent Dr. Scott Coefield told Whitman that Pelham City Schools does set their own routes, and that the issue would be looked at. The transportation department had already brought the issue to his attention as well.

He also assured her that the bus routes follow state law. There are many rules and regulations that go along with where bus stops are located, according to Coefield. There is also a protocol bus drivers must follow before allowing children to exit.

Typically, when bus drivers come to the bus stop, they are required to make sure their stop signs and lights are on. Once the driver is 100 percent sure traffic has stopped, they will allow the children to exit the bus.

“It really comes back to, if it’s handled the right way, it’s a pretty safe situation,” Coefield said. “Thank you again for making us aware of your concerns, we will certainly consider that.”

Board President Rick Rhoades also spoke to the protocols required by the bus drivers, and called on a driver in the audience to confirm them. He thanked Whitman and told her the board would look into the issue.

“I assure you, we will look into it,” Rhoades said. “Safety is the most important thing we do.”