New law delays driver education this summer
In Burke
By Anne Marie Kyzer

A new law that affected the driver education courses at Burke County High School this year is leaving its mark on summer school, too.

Joshua's Law, which went into effect in January, requires all 16- year-olds seeking licenses to take a driver education course accredited by the Department of Driver Services.

While BCHS's courses have always been accredited by the Department of Education, they must obtain accreditation from DDS, as well.

School administrators thought they would be accredited this month, but are now saying it will likely be later in the summer before BCHS is approved by DDS for the courses.

The DDS accreditation requires more stringent criteria to maintain the integrity of legitimate driver education courses.

According to Burke County Board of Education administrator Chris Henry, those criteria have caused the school to hit a couple of snags along the way, delaying its summer course in driver education.

Specifically, the requirements for the building, including a new certificate of occupancy, have stalled approval of the high school as a site for the courses. Henry said that the high school, which is only 20 years old, must have minor updates required by the state fire marshal since the building's construction.

School administrators will use their backup plan during the summer while they await approval for the high school.

Blakeney Elementary School, the school system's newest building, meets all of the DDS requirements, so administrators have decided to offer the summer course there instead.

In the meantime, BCHS staff will make necessary changes to the building, which will be inspected later this summer for a new certificate of occupancy.

Henry said they expect BCHS to be fully accredited by DDS by the start of school in the fall. School administrators have also made plans to double the number of students they can accommodate in drivers education.

Henry added that BCHS will also be the only school in the area to offer driver education at no charge.