Board discusses new pickup/drop-off pattern, crosswalk placements and parking during construction

District staff and board members discussed concerns about morning drop-off and pickup after a new traffic and crosswalk pattern was implemented at the high school and elementary cluster.

Staff described the new pattern as concentrating pedestrian crossings across Sylvan Avenue before Kings Highway, and said cars are pulling up and stopping in crosswalks because the crosswalk location moved relative to where drivers expect it. A parent and public commenter asked the board to consider moving the crosswalk sign closer to the actual crossing to reduce confusion.

The district said it has an officer on duty to help direct traffic and that staff and local public works have placed temporary signage and created a new lower parking drive to open space for drop-off. Officials said the new access is a dirt road that will be used while the lower lot and turf-field construction proceed; they said they are exploring speed bumps and a curb cut on Kings Highway as longer-term fixes.

Board members and staff flagged parking capacity concerns for seniors and other students during construction and said they will monitor needs as construction and the new turf field progress. One public commenter said she was concerned about the loss of existing parking and said the new pattern requires crossing two streets to reach school entrances.

The district said it will continue to evaluate the traffic pattern, work with the borough on possible signage or left-turn restrictions during peak times, and keep an officer stationed during drop-off and pickup if needed.