Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews Safe Routes to School survey; staff to deploy extra crossing support for first two weeks
Summary
A city survey received more than 300 responses identifying crossings and sidewalk gaps near three receiving elementary schools; staff recommended temporary enhanced coverage the first two school weeks and to monitor crossings before seeking permanent changes.
Highlands City Council received results of a Safe Routes to School survey at its July 22 early work session and discussed a recommended staffing plan for the start of the upcoming school year.
Staff summary and survey results
City staff and police reported that the city ran a public survey (June 16July 17) on walking and micromobility routes after School District boundary changes. Staff said they received 319 survey responses and that the largest share of respondents identified McAuliffe Elementary as the school their child would attend; respondents were split on whether they would walk or use micromobility devices versus being driven.
Top concerns and locations
Respondents and staff cited recurring concerns at several locations: Highland Village Road at Willow Creek Estates; Briar Hill Boulevard at the DKH crossing; Highland Shores (the community center) and Highland Shores Boulevard at Hillside; and the FM 407/Barnett area serving Heritage Elementary. Several responses flagged illegal parking and narrow sidewalks on West Rosedale.
Staff recommendation and operational plan
The police chief and city staff recommended deploying crossing-guard and officer support focused on Willow Creek/Highland Village Road and Briar Hill at DKH for the start of school, with a program of heightened monitoring during the first two weeks. Staff said the first two weeks of school historically generate the most need for extra presence and that the city will tally crossing activity and adjust locations and staffing as needed.
Crossing-guard staffing and budget
Staff said crossing guards are part-time positions and that the department needs six total crossing-guard positions to meet the recommended coverage; one guard retired on short notice, so staff has begun recruitment. Staff estimated the incremental annual cost to add one guard (if required) would be roughly $7,000. Staff also noted partial funding through Denton County and said the police department traditionally supplements crossing-guard staffing with officers and auxiliary personnel during the initial school days.
Council discussion and council requests
Councilmembers supported the recommendation to staff Willow Creek and Briar Hill at DKH during the start of school. Councilmembers asked staff to evaluate additional, targeted measures such as lighted crossing-warning signs downstream of high-traffic crossings where vehicle queues and sight-line issues occur. Staff said they would track counts and adjust positions after the two-week monitoring period.
Ending
Staff said it will follow up with a field tally of crossing usage during the first two weeks of school and return with recommended permanent changes if monitoring shows a persistent need.
