By: Daniel L. Bamberg
Bibb County Board of Education members have decided to discontinue field trips that placed students in or on any body of water. This ruling came on Tuesday October 12, 2009 in a regularly scheduled meeting. In discussion the board members suggested a value the natural resources and the history of the Cahaba River. They want to continue educational field trips for students to learn from the river. At this time however, all possible trips, which would place a student at risk of falling in the river, have been curtailed.
The decision came four days after 13 West Blocton High School students along with two certified teachers participated in a controversial canoe excursion. The 15 West Blocton High School members were with 2 members of the Cahaba River Society. Multiple canoes turned over (multiple times) placing students, faculty, and CRS members in flooded waters. The incident resulted in a rescue operation organized by the West Blocton Police Department, aided by Bibb County Sheriff’s Department, West Blocton Fire and Rescue, and the Woodstock Police Department.
Several members of law enforcement were emphatic about their disappointment in the decision of WBHS and CRS to place students in what they feel was harm’s way. Many parents and residents of the area were alarmed by the event. Following the disastrous trip, the Bibb County Board of Education began conducting an investigation to determine if the standards in place with such trips were met. If the outcome of the investigation results in a determination that these standards were not met, the Board promises swift and appropriate action. Thus far Bibb County Board of Education has placed one of the two present teachers on administrative leave. The Cahaba River Society met the Board of Education as part of the investigation.
Dr. Don Elam, Superintendent of Bibb County Schools expressed on Friday, October 16 “We want to continue our partnership with the Cahaba River Society. The personnel within this organization offer expertise about the river and can make available to our students opportunities to learn about the environment, pollution, and other important aspects of the Cahaba River. Our students need to learn about the river and develop an appreciation for the resources we have in our county. The safety of all students enrolled in Bibb County Schools remains a top priority.”
It is sad that the students will miss out on a lot of experences on the Cahaba River, I remember
ReplyDeletethe first time I was introduced to old Cahaba. I went boating with my daddy in River Bend, I was about 7 or 8 years old and had not learned how to swim. Well my daddy took hold of me threw me
in the river and said son sink or swim. I'M still living, I did not know the water was only 12 in. ddeep.