A Seminole County Public Schools Safety Advisory Committee voted 4-3 Friday to retain busing for students at Evans Elementary School who live within two miles of the Oviedo school.

The committee conducted a walk along the path students would take to school from their homes, and voted immediately afterward to retain the busing for the students.

Safety concerns were the basis for the decision.  The five-to-ten year old students would have to walk more than a mile along State Road 434, also known as Alafaya Trail.  The roadway was recently expanded to six lanes with posted speed limits of 50 miles per hour that are often exceeded by drivers.

The School Board has said in the past that they will abide by decisions of the School Safety Advisory Committee, said Ken Lewis, Director of Transportation Services for the Seminole County School District.

Although the decision was made to retain the busing, it will be looked at again in October of 2005, Lewis told Seminole County Watch.

"The School Safety Advisory Committee has stated as part of the Evans Elementary busing issue that we would again re-visit in October 2005 for discussion after we've addressed some of the safety concerns voiced by the community," said Lewis.

Among the safety concerns he cited were signage and sidewalks along the path to be walked by the students.

"As the requirements and demands for the busing of students increase, opportunities for re-evaluation of students currently bused who are deemed ineligible according to current standards will most assuredly present itself," said Lewis.

This was the second time parents have successfully fought against threats to end the busing.  A similar situation occurred last November, when the decision was also made to retain the busing.

Lewis praised the parents for their effort and involvement.