News-Record.com

Jerry Weast wants more kids in Montgomery County, Md., to walk to school.

He apparently didn't have that attitude when he gave my son, Kenny a lift to school years ago.

The Montomery County Board of Education last night approved Superintendent Weast's recommendation to grant officials emergency powers to increase walking distances if circumstances warrant, the Washington Post reports today. Maximum distances currently range up to 2 miles depending on grade level. The move could pare busing costs just a bit.

Weast, many here will remember, was the first superintendent of the consolidated Guilford County Schools back in the '90s.

I was working at the High Point Enterprise. One morning, Weast dropped by to talk about Simeon Stadium, then as now a point of contention between the school board and the High Point City Council. We decided to drive out to take a look.

One problem, I said. I had told Kenny I'd take him to Ferndale Middle School. Fine, said Weast.

Kenny was a surprised kid when an unfamiliar SUV pulled up our driveway ... and flabbergasted at who the driver was.

But Kenny had a tale to tell at school that day about being chauffeured by the superintendent.

I'm embarrassed to say the distance was less than a mile.

Weast could have said, "Tell your kid to walk to school," but I guess he was more lenient in those days.

And gas cost a lot less.