As you’ve probably seen, the work to install the stoplight at the main entrance has been visible for the last month or so. I checked with Councilman Pelaez’s office who said the light should be operational (flashing) any day now. 

Let’s ignore the irony that the school year is almost over and remember that both the councilman and the City’s Transportation and Capital Improvements department pushed to speed up the light installation. It usually takes a lot longer than this.

With that to-do item soon to be checked off, the last thing our community is urging for is to address the north entrance structurally. At the very least, that crosswalk needs to be moved to the corner closest to the school. 

The crosswalk we have now was upgraded fairly recently (in the summer I believe). But it is located at corner farthest from the school. So students have to cross a line of traffic in order to get to the crosswalk!

In the afternoon, when the traffic is heaviest, students either stay on the school sidewalk and cross traffic at the intersection where cars are hurriedly turning to get to the parking lot or are looking for quick moments to exit onto Kyle Seale. 

Other students cross the street closer to the school where cars are jammed up and walk toward the intersection on school property where there is no sidewalk. That’s if the ground isn’t puddled or muddy. 

Still, other students cross in between the cars wherever they sense an opening.

The City’s Transportation and Capital Improvements office told me it is “continuing to look at how to best improve the location” but wants to “best leverage city resources.”

If I hear any updates during the summer, I’ll share them here. It might take more advocacy to get this done by August.

In the meantime, have a wonderful break and congratulations to all of our graduates!