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Trustees, staff press for concrete traffic plan and city coordination ahead of new campus opening
Summary
Board members sought a concrete, near-term traffic-control plan for the new Sierra (Sigaroa) campus transfer, urged coordination with the city and pledged continued monthly planning meetings to finalize staffing, camera placement and alternative transport arrangements before the move.
LAREDO, Texas ' Trustees pressed district and public-safety staff on Tuesday for a definitive traffic-control plan ahead of the planned move to the new Sigaroa campus, emphasizing the need to coordinate on city streets, police staffing, camera placement and contingency plans for walkers and drop-off traffic.
Trustee Rodolfo Morales said the board needs a clear, operational plan for the new campus now rather than in months, citing concerns about the volume of traffic near the campus and neighborhood impacts. "If we were to open tomorrow, what are we gonna do?" Morales asked.
Chief representatives and project staff said a preliminary traffic-control plan exists and that recommendations and manpower needs are under discussion. The chief urged coordination with the City of Laredo to share costs or responsibilities for infrastructure improvements outside the school's property (for example, on El Hido and Loma Del Sur) and suggested a meeting with city officials and councilmembers to discuss capital or operational contributions.
Key points
- Staff provided a working schematic of traffic-control suggestions for initial opening operations and said the plan is a work in progress; they recommended continued monthly planning sessions through December to finalize traffic assignments and city coordination.
- Trustees suggested exploring temporary measures such as bussing walkers to the new campus and installing safety cameras on new poles as part of early improvements; staff said such measures would require city cooperation for poles and public-right-of-way equipment.
- The chief and project staff noted the district cannot unilaterally make improvements in city rights of way and recommended convening city representatives and elected officials to review capital improvement funds or operational support.
Trustees and staff agreed to continue monthly planning and to request a formal meeting with city officials to firm up staffing and infrastructure commitments before the campus opens.
