Walnut Creek School Commute Survey Seeks Answers

Walnut Creek School District Superintendent Patricia Wool wants to know how parents in the district get their kids to school. She also wants to know if there are options like biking or walking, that would ultimately be safer, and even healthier.

So Wool is doing what anyone seeking answers would do. She is asking.

A survey on the subject is being sent to all parents of students in the district, which is collaborating with the state commute program 511 to develop ideas for new commute options.

Walnut Creek Patch asked Wool about the survey. Here's what she said.

Walnut Creek Patch:
What is the purpose of the commute survey?

Patricia Wool:
Most parents elect to drive their children to school.  We would like information from parents about all the reasons for commuting by cars, so we needed survey data.  Should commuting by car be changed at all?  Do safety concerns outweigh the healthy benefits of walking and biking?  There are many questions which the survey will begin to answer

WC Patch:
What is the district looking for?

Patricia Wool:
Walnut Creek School District wants to ensure the continued safety of students and adults getting to and from our school campuses. School staff and parents contend with congestion, gridlock and lineup of cars at pick-up and drop off times.  Community feedback will be used to help guide future projects to keep our campuses safe.  We know parent insight is invaluable in this process.

WC Patch:
Why the partnership with 511?

Patricia Wool:
511 Contra Costa has sponsored traffic safety assemblies at our elementary schools and commute alternative programs at Walnut Creek Intermediate.  They have worked with the county and other local units of governments in traffic safety and safe routes to schools.  They provided a small grant to the school district for bike racks. 

WC Patch:
When do you anticipate actions on what you find out in the survey?

Patricia Wool:
The Walnut Creek School District looks forward to the results of the survey.  We will use these results to look at possible improvements.

WC Patch:
Do you have any plans right now for changes?

Patricia Wool:
We continue to work with the City of Walnut Creek and Contra Costa County on Safe Routes to Schools proposals.  Walnut Heights Elementary school will benefit from county improvements planned for Fall 2014 along Walnut Boulevard.  The City of Walnut Creek has plans to make improvements around Buena Vista Elementary School.   Depending on available funding, 511 County may provide support to minor infrastructure safety projects at each of our schools in summer 2013.