Lawrence school board to review changes to school traffic and crosswalks

Students leaving Broken Arrow School and South Junior High approach the crosswalk at 27th and Belle Haven Drive, Friday, April 24, 2015, as school lets out.

The Lawrence school board Monday will review changes to school traffic flow and crosswalks at seven schools that were made in response to community concerns.

The traffic and crosswalk report will be presented at the school board meeting Monday evening and includes changes to traffic flow, parking, and location and number of school crossings and crossing guards.

Many of the seven schools in the report are in high-traffic areas or have busy streets nearby that students need to cross to get to school, such as Cordley, Pinkney and Sunset Hill elementary schools.

Over the past year, there have been numerous community concerns regarding traffic flow and school crossings that impact schools in the district, the introduction for the report states. The City of Lawrence has worked closely with the school district and has developed a process to address concerns. The report will update the school board on changes and upcoming plans at the seven schools.

About a year ago, the city began work on its Safe Routes to School plan with a goal of making paths to school more walkable and bikeable for kids. The project — in partnership with the Lawrence school district, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization, LiveWell Lawrence and Lawrence Schools Foundation — considers factors such as sidewalks, safe or efficient routes, and traffic flow for pickup and drop-off.

Kyle Hayden, assistant superintendent of business and operations for the school district, and Ron May, director of administrative services, will present the traffic and crosswalk report to the school board.

In other business, the school board will recognize a seventh-grade science teacher at West Middle School, Lucinda Crenshaw, who is a finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year. The winner of the award will be announced during ceremonies Nov. 21 in Wichita.

District officials also will present a report on changes to the administrative software program BusinessPlus, which supports the district’s management of all its resources, both financial and personnel.

The school board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the district offices, 110 McDonald Drive.

Traffic and crosswalk report topics:

Cordley Elementary, 1837 Vermont St.

Traffic flow and upcoming community meeting

Kennedy Elementary, 1605 Davis Rd.

Change of school crossing and crossing guard location

Pinckney Elementary, 810 W. Sixth St.

Tunnel access

New York Elementary, 936 New York St.

Traffic flow and parking

Broken Arrow Elementary and South Middle School, 2704 and 2734 Louisiana St.

Community meeting regarding results of new traffic study

Sunset Hill Elementary, 901 Schwarz Rd.

Request for additional crossing guard at Sixth Street