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Parent urges action on traffic and crosswalk safety near South River schools during capital budget hearing
Summary
A parent told the Anne Arundel school board he has documented dangerous driving and pedestrian hazards near South River High School and feeder schools, and said he has not received timely responses from district staff about repairs and painted crosswalks.
During a public hearing on the superintendent’s recommended FY 2027 capital budget, a parent from the South River feeder urged the board to address traffic and pedestrian safety on and near school property.
Grayson Morgan identified himself as a parent of students at Davidsonville Elementary and South River High School and said he had spent 10 months reporting safety problems to school staff without satisfactory results.
“I have photographed and sent to the employees, the principals, staff members of Anne Arundel County Public Schools dozens of incidents of reckless driving around South River High School,” Morgan said. “I fear for [my daughter’s] safety.”
Specific concerns and requests: Morgan said the district’s capital planning materials show roughly $2,000,000 projected for health and safety in outgoing years but he could not find evidence that local traffic or pedestrian projects in the South River feeder were being funded. He stated that only three crosswalks had been painted out of more than 20 he reported and that he had not received a response from Dr. Heiser (district staff) after 10 months. He asked the board to ask the superintendent to explain the management and prioritization of school safety work.
Board response and process: The board heard Morgan’s testimony during the public hearing portion of the meeting; the board’s practice is to refer community concerns to the superintendent for staff follow-up. The board did not take an immediate vote on safety spending during the hearing. The superintendent and staff will be the point of follow-up for the concerns Morgan raised.
What was said verbatim: “I have reported this for over 10 months,” Morgan told the board. “This is unsatisfactory and puts our children and people who visit our school facilities at risk.”
