Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Zone Flashers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves school‑zone flashers for new Knight Ridge Elementary opening this August
Summary
The commission approved flashing school‑zone signals for Knight Ridge Elementary, a new Deer Creek Public Schools elementary opening this August with an expected enrollment of about 500 students; staff will coordinate flasher timing with the district.
The Traffic and Transportation Commission on Monday approved flashing school‑zone signals for Knight Ridge Elementary, a new Deer Creek Public Schools elementary set to open in August.
The action implements a safety measure for students and drivers: staff said the municipal code limits school‑zone signs to schools with kindergarten through 12th grade, and staff will install flashing school‑zone equipment and coordinate on‑and‑off timing with the school district.
Jason Perez, superintendent of Deer Creek Public Schools, told the commission the new Knight Ridge Elementary, located near Council Road in the Paycom area, will serve pre‑kindergarten through fourth grade and is expected to enroll about 500 students when it opens this August. "This is our ... opening our sixth elementary school ... so kinda speaks to the traffic we are preparing to face," Perez said, adding the district is requesting a lighted school zone to keep children safe.
Traffic service division staff explained the Oklahoma City Municipal Code allows flashing school signs for public and private schools kindergarten through grade 12 and noted the location meets criteria for a school zone because the roadway speed is 30 mph or more in the area. The staff member said the standard flasher schedule is to turn on about 30 minutes before school and operate until roughly 15 minutes after dismissal; the final on/off times will be set in coordination with the district.
Commissioner Varnell made the motion to approve and Commissioner Karnes seconded; the commission voted to approve the request. Staff said it will submit a service request to install the flashers and will work with the district to confirm precise activation times before the school opens.
Background: the city code section cited in the meeting states school zones shall be established only for public and private schools kindergarten through 12 and that regulatory signs and flashing signals are authorized under specified conditions. The commission did not discuss any alternate traffic controls at length; the permit process for school flashers includes a field installation and district approval of activation times.
