September 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Afternoon traffic flow is smoother these days at Smithville Elementary School during student pickup time now that changes have been implemented in the way automobiles are allowed to move in and out of the school zone.
With more parents transporting their children to school, congestion had become a problem especially in the afternoons with longer lines of cars and school buses in the pickup lane.
A couple of weeks ago Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins and Director of Schools Patrick Cripps came up with an alternative to help solve the problem.
All cars now line up in the right hand lane of East Bryant Street to enter Smithville Elementary School. Cars picking up K-2 students now enter on Walker Drive and those picking up Pre-K students enter in the front of the school between the SES sign and City Walk Apartments forming two lines that alternate the pickup of students. Anyone picking up children including pre-kindergarten students now exit the school via Walker Drive.
During Thursday night’s monthly Board of Education meeting, Director of Schools Cripps said the new plan seems to be working well.
“We seem to have more people bringing kids to school these days. I want to thank the parents at Smithville Elementary School. We have reorganized the traffic flow. I want to do a shout out to Chief Collins and his officers and the district’s patrol officer Joey Reeder for going out and directing traffic. It is a work in progress but I think it has helped somewhat. I want to thank our parents for being patient in helping us with this venture,” said Director Cripps
Parents are asked to not go into the building at Smithville Elementary to pick up their child after 2:15 p.m. From 2:20 to 3:00 p.m. the school buses have the right of way on East Bryant Street.
“There may be days that the Smithville Police Department cannot be there to direct traffic but these guidelines are still expected to be followed. The safety of the children is of the utmost importance. Thank you for your patience and help during this time,” said Director Cripps.