Schools

Rushe Middle gets a crossing guard

Unspent funds will be diverted to post a person at Sunlake and Mentmore boulevards.

By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer
Published November 6, 2007

LAND O'LAKES - Parents at Rushe Middle School are now officially justified in their concerns about the safety of their kids as they walk and ride bikes to and from campus.

They're also officially happy to be getting some relief from the Pasco Sheriff's Office.

A traffic study has determined that the intersection of Sunlake and Mentmore boulevards is busy enough to warrant a traffic control officer, assistant superintendent Ray Gadd said Monday. And the Sheriff's Office will provide one, head school resource officer Sgt. James Law said.

"We're posting a traffic control officer there until we get the approved post," Law said.

Rushe becomes the only middle school in Pasco County to qualify for additional help for students crossing the street outside.

"The reason we agreed on that was this is the only middle school that students are asked to cross a four-lane divided highway that is not signalized," Law said. "When a signal is there, they will re-evaluate it."

The department has money in its budget for the added position, once the county administrator authorizes it, he said.

County commissioners budgeted $100,000 for approved traffic control officers and crossing guards, setting an additional $100,000 in reserves for that purpose if added need arises.

The initial amount has not been fully spent yet, Law said, as it includes positions authorized for two new elementary schools - New River in Wesley Chapel and Gulf Trace in New Port Richey - that have not opened yet. The job at Rushe Middle will come from one of those budgeted and approved slots.

Once the new elementary schools open, the county will assess the need for traffic control there, too. If they require positions beyond the budgeted $100,000, Law said, the Sheriff's Office will return to the commission to request use of the reserve fund.

The news that a human crossing guard, rather than flashing lights, will be outside the school to control traffic thrilled Tony Swortzel, whose daughter Nazaria rides her bike to Rushe daily.

"Oh, cool. I haven't heard a thing about that, but I think that's wonderful," Swortzel said. "It makes me extremely happy and that's fair. They're doing what needs to be done."

Jeffrey S. Solochek can be reached at solochek@sptimes.com or 813 909-4614. For more education news, visit the Gradebook at blogs.tampabay.com/schools.

[Last modified November 5, 2007, 21:35:30]