Marblehead school board supports walk program

MARBLEHEAD – The School Committee voted to support “I Walk, I Rock,” the Board of Health subcommittee program that encourages school children to walk or bike to school on Wednesdays.The program could begin as soon as next week.The unanimous vote followed last year’s two-time postponement of the health-based initiative.Dick Nohelty, who chaired the committee last year, said he and the other committee members said they supported any program that was not run by the schools.He explained that last fall the parent volunteers were supposed to undergo Mass Ride training programs, but that never happened, Nohelty said, and when the PTOs tried to get the program running in the spring, a student was involved in an accident.Dr. Thomas Krueger, a local resident and pediatrician, attended Thursday’s meeting to tell the committee he supported the program as a health measure.Subcommittee member Kelley Braun asked the committee for “verbal support for Walking Wednesdays.”Michelle Gottlieb, the chair of the Health subcommittee, also asked the school board for their blessing.Assistant Town Counsel Lisa Mead said the School Committee should not be liable if a student were injured in an accident while walking to school.Committee member Kathy Leonardson prepared a motion for the committee to vote on, stating that the committee “affirms its Marblehead Public Schools Wellness Policy supporting voluntary Walk to School days, implemented by volunteer/parent groups like the PTO, provided that no school department personnel or resources are used.”Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac assured the parents present that he “will help and assist (on this) the best way I can.”