Oakleaf parents sound alarm over eliminated bus route, safety concerns
Share this @internewscast.com

Parents say the combination of heavy traffic, distracted drivers and young children unfamiliar with road safety is a recipe for tragedy.

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — On opening day for the school year, parents in a Clay County neighborhood are concerned about their children’s safety after the district eliminated a bus route, which now requires students to navigate a busy multi-lane roundabout on Oakleaf Plantation Parkway.

This bus route previously catered to numerous elementary and middle school students attending Plantation Oaks Elementary and Oakleaf Junior High. The district initially provided it in 2021 as a safety measure following an incident where a child was struck in the area, but this year, that courtesy has been rescinded.

Parents say they were notified in July that the decision was driven by budget constraints. Despite raising these concerns at last week’s school board meeting, parents express that their children must now walk to school, facing fast traffic, absent crossing guards, and some malfunctioning crosswalk signals.

“It’s a huge safety concern,” said Jermaine Johnson, a parent of a second grader at Plantation Oaks Elementary, describing the initial school day. “A young child didn’t know how to activate the crossing lights—he simply walked right through. Any number of things could have happened.”

Others, like parents Kristen Hamilton and Ashley Augustyniak, worry the problem will only grow. 

A new Super Walmart is set to open nearby, bringing more traffic to the same stretch of road. 

“You’re putting a Super Walmart on the same road where you have children aged 5 to 15 crossing,” noted Tarra Mckibben, a mother of twins at Oakleaf Junior High. “In the dark, drivers won’t see these kids until they’re very close—or worse, after hitting them.”

Marcus Ball, a father of an 8th grader and 3rd grader, said the roundabout’s layout makes things worse. 

“It’s making it more confusing versus making it more accessible,” he said. “And that’s when accidents can happen,” Johnson added.

From what families say they’ve seen over the years, the area has a history of crashes involving both cars and pedestrians. 

Parents say the combination of heavy traffic, distracted drivers and young children unfamiliar with road safety is a recipe for tragedy.

“We’re not asking for much,” Mckibben added. “We’re just asking for a bus to get our kids to and from school safely.”

The Clay County School District explains that the decision aligns with state guidelines: since the schools are less than two miles from the impacted neighborhoods, transportation isn’t mandated. The district acknowledged that the route was offered as a courtesy service.

Spokesperson Terri Dennis said in a statement: “Approximately 300 students in the Oakleaf area (K-12 at all four campuses) were affected by the change in ridership policy that aligns with state statute. Parents can apply for courtesy ridership status, which will be evaluated after the first four weeks of school. Approval is based on space, and we need to finalize the routes for those that qualify for ridership first. Then, if a route is not at capacity, we can accept courtesy riders. Parents can apply for courtesy ridership on the www.oneclay.net website under Transportation.”

Parents argue that the cost of reinstating it would be worth avoiding a potential accident. Many say they plan to keep pressing the district and county officials until changes are made.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Illegal alien failed CDL test 10 times in 2 months before fatal Florida crash that killed 3

Tragic Florida Crash: Driver Fails CDL Test 10 Times Before Fatal Accident—A Deep Dive into the Devastating Consequences

An undocumented truck driver accused of causing a fatal accident in Florida…
Tropical Storm Melissa is now forecast to become a major hurricane as it trends toward a concerning track

Tropical Storm Melissa Predicted to Intensify into a Major Hurricane, Following a Worrisome Path

Tropical Storm Melissa is slowly making its way across the Caribbean Sea,…
Broadway musicians reach tentative labor deal, averting a strike

Broadway Musicians Secure Tentative Labor Agreement, Preventing Potential Strike

NEW YORK (AP) — In a significant move to keep the show…
Fernandina Beach family pushes for intersection safety after multiple crashes

Fernandina Beach Residents Demand Urgent Intersection Safety Measures Following Frequent Accidents

A family in Fernandina Beach is calling for crucial safety enhancements at…
Former New York state trooper sentenced to 6 months in prison after faking his own shooting: 'disgraceful'

Ex-New York Trooper Jailed for Six Months Over Fake Shooting Incident: Described as ‘Disgraceful

A former New York state trooper received a six-month jail sentence on…
Cornell student newspaper retracts artwork featuring Nazi symbols and bloodied Star of David

Cornell Newspaper Sparks Outrage with Retraction of Controversial Nazi Symbol Artwork

The student-run publication at Cornell University, The Cornell Daily Sun, recently faced…
Carlson and Greene Outline Five Pillars for America’s Renewal

Carlson and Greene Unveil Five Key Strategies for Revitalizing America

In their explosive discussion, journalist Tucker Carlson and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor…
Alphonso Joyner found guilty of murder in 71-year-old Woom Sing Tse's Chinatown, Chicago shooting death on 23rd Street

Alphonso Joyner Convicted in Fatal Shooting of 71-Year-Old Woom Sing Tse in Chinatown, Chicago

In a significant development from Chicago, a jury has convicted Alphonso Joyner…
Pakistani national sentenced to long prison term for smuggling Iranian weapons to Houthis

Pakistani Citizen Receives Lengthy Prison Sentence for Trafficking Iranian Weapons to Houthis

A Pakistani man has been handed a 40-year federal prison sentence for…
Murder suspect arrested over 40 times before allegedly killing hotel guest

Shocking Pattern: Serial Offender with 40+ Arrests Charged in Hotel Guest Murder

In a startling case from North Carolina, a man with a lengthy…
Illegal immigrant truck driver in fatal California crash should never have had license: DOT report

DOT Report Reveals Fatal California Crash Involved Unlicensed Immigrant Truck Driver

In a striking report released on Thursday night, Sean P. Duffy, the…
Eight Americans arrested in Bahamas after authorities discover 'high-powered weapons' cache, ammunition

Shocking Discovery: Eight Americans Detained in Bahamas for Hidden Arsenal of High-Powered Weapons

In a significant operation on Tuesday, eight American citizens were detained in…