It’s not uncommon for students in Alaska to use unconventional transportation to get to school. Some districts fly students in or bring them by boat. But even on the road system, cars aren’t always the best option, according to some parents. A group in Nikiski wants more students to be able to get to school using unconventional vehicles.
Saturday marks the first home game of the season for Nikiski Middle/High School. Students and parents roll into the parking lot dressed in black and teal, ready to spend the evening cheering on the Bulldogs.
But for a group of parents and community members, the game is also about making a statement.
As the game begins, the roaring sound of several dozen engines can be heard over the hill near the school.
Then comes the crowd of off-road vehicles, dirt bikes and Polaris Rangers. They drive one after the other, some of them with signs saying “Let Freedom Ride” and “No Barriers” attached to them.
The group is calling on Nikiski Middle/High School to change its policies regarding which students are allowed to drive utility vehicles to school.
Saturday’s ride was organized by Misty Peterkin, who says her interest in the topic stems from an incident her son was involved in last year.
“I sent my son to one of the football games here on an ATV,” she said. “He’s 14 and the principal said he can’t come here again on his ATV. That’s not allowed.”
Currently, the school’s student handbook states that students who ride all-terrain vehicles, ATVs, or motorcycles to school must be at least 16 years old, have the appropriate driver’s license, and be registered and insured. Unregistered snowmobiles, ATVs, or motorcycles are not allowed on campus.
Before this school year, however, students were not allowed to drive such vehicles to school at all. The community successfully lobbied the school to adopt a policy that would allow students to drive non-traditional vehicles to school. Now, students who use these vehicles in accordance with state law have assigned parking spaces in the school parking lot. Compared to last year, these vehicles had to be parked off school property.
Superintendent Clayton Holland said Tuesday that the district fully supports the school policy change. He said the district was unable to adopt a policy that applied to all 42 schools and that Nikiski Principal Michael Crane made a “bold decision” by allowing off-road vehicles in the school parking lot.
“I think he’s made a big step,” Holland said. “He’s listened to people. It’s not necessarily what everyone wanted, but it’s a change. And I’ve asked around the states, and when it comes to curbside school districts and large schools, I think this is the only school that allows this in any way.”
Peterkin and others, however, believe that this policy does not go far enough.
State law requires persons operating a multi-purpose vehicle to have a valid driver’s license, follow standard licensing and registration procedures, be insured, and equip the vehicle with certain safety devices such as lights and brakes.
Peterkin wants the school to implement a less restrictive type of driver’s license for students. After her ride Saturday, she said she wants to loosen the policy immediately so it goes into effect for the school year that begins Wednesday.
“It’s a way of life in Nikiski,” she said. “We ride everywhere. We’ve taught our kids from a young age to be safe, to wear helmets and to be respectful. And I want the kids to have the opportunity to go to school here.”
Back at school, Saturday’s class finally makes its way to the football field, ready to cheer on the Bulldogs – after parking their cars in the designated area of the school parking lot.
