Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Cascade School Board considers CHS proposal for off-campus driving privileges

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LEAVENWORTH – The Cascade School District (CSD) Board was asked to consider allowing off-campus driving privileges for juniors and seniors by Cascade High School’s (CHS) Principal James Swanson on Oct. 29. 

The proposal aims to allow upperclassmen more flexibility and time to pick up lunch or retrieve something from home while encouraging responsibility and independence. CHS is currently the only closed campus in the valley, with Cashmere, WestSide, Wenatchee, and Eastmont high schools allowing students to leave campus during lunch hours.

“We have great, fantastic kids here…My philosophy is we set the boundaries right? That's what we're supposed to be doing as adults, and then they will flow inside of that…We can't have boundaries too big, and we can't have boundaries too strict,” said Swanson.

The board meeting had a full audience of upperclassmen in attendance as part of the class and Associated Student Body requirements, who were entirely in favor of the loosened restrictions.

“There's so many things that could happen, but you got to look forward and be trusting to the kids, and know that they'll come back to school and not be under the influence or anything, you know, [they’ll] go and actually get their Subway sandwich from Subway. I think that it's a great idea,” said CHS student Jaxson Groby.

The board was supportive of the idea, but expressed the need for clear policies, consequences and communication with parents. Traffic and safety were the primary concerns, due to the possibility of a large amount of cars leaving the school for a 30-minute lunch period.

“If you're looking at your watch and you finally get served at Heidelburger or whatever, and you're trying to get back, and the only way to get back is to probably go a little faster or turn into town and get away from the lights and whip through the neighborhood, that's not safe. That's not a good idea,” said CSD Board Member Mike Worden.

The board encouraged Swanson to reach out to schools with open campuses to learn about their policies and lessons learned before it took further steps.

“We want to honor that you're all growing up and learning good choice making, and doing the right thing,” said CSD Board Member Judy Derpack to the students in the audience.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media

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