Superintendent outlines traffic, bus schedules, construction timeline and energy-rebate planning

Superintendent Dr. Douglas briefed the board on operational items the administration said will affect the start of school, including traffic-flow adjustments, bus schedules, construction timelines and energy-rebate planning.

Dr. Douglas said the district has communicated traffic-flow maps and new bus patterns through registered family emails, the district website and social media; bus schedules were expected to be published in the student app on Aug. 7. He urged parents to follow drop-off procedures and avoid stopping at building front doors to keep traffic moving, saying efficient drop-off can allow “20 to 30 kids in each lane at 1 time” under ideal conditions.

The superintendent described several active construction projects that will affect access: he said Ridge Road will be closed for approximately one year for construction and that the district has communicated that to families; an educational tour of the construction project was expected around October. He said building principals will reinforce new traffic patterns during the weeks before school begins.

Dr. Douglas also said the district is pursuing potential energy rebates that may require some upfront spending but could yield recurring annual savings. He reported the district ended the prior year with a small surplus but emphasized the administration’s intent to strengthen the budget over the next several years.

On athletics and extracurriculars, the superintendent said fall schedules and athletic ticketing plans are being finalized and that the district will post extracurricular opportunities for community applicants once positions are publicly listed.

Board members asked for and received clarifications about drop-off lane configurations and how crosswalks and crossing signals will be managed during peak drop-off times; the administration said crosswalks will be controlled by push-button activated warning lights and staff presence.