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Neighbors and parents call for Haldeman Gate at Souderton High to be opened more consistently after delayed emergency access concerns
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Summary
Multiple parents and neighbors reported traffic congestion and at least two incidents where ambulances were delayed at the locked rear (Haldeman) gate of Souderton Area High School; the board president said he has requested township and police review and will pursue opening the gate more often.
Residents and parents urged the Souderton Area School District Board on Oct. 23 to open the Haldeman rear gate at Souderton Area High School more consistently, citing traffic congestion, chaotic afternoon pickup patterns and delayed ambulance access during emergencies.
"On September 19 at the JV football game, there was a student athlete [who] suffered a very serious injury in the stadium. EMS arrival time was delayed due to the ambulance coming to the ultimate entrance and it was locked," said parent Steve Lowry. He said the ambulance had to drive around to the front of the building, and stressed that "emergency minutes can mean the world." Lowry urged the board to "open the Haldeman Gate and leave it open" to improve traffic distribution and emergency response.
Neighbor Rich Haldeman, who lives on Lower Road, told the board he had asked district staff about why the gate was closed and was told it was "to keep the peace with the neighborhood." Haldeman said the closure instead creates lines on the street and that opening the gate would move waiting parents into the parking lot and reduce road congestion. "No one should be waiting at a locked gate ever," he said.
Marilyn Miller and Barrett Van Damme, both neighbors on Lower Road, described driveway access problems and increased traffic after new turf fields were built, and asked the board to consider the safety risk of having effectively one entrance for a large high school population.
Board members said they have raised the issue with township officials and police and that the board president will pursue opening the gate more frequently; he asked residents to meet with him after the meeting to share contact information. No formal vote or policy change related to gate access was made at the meeting; the board said it will seek a review with township authorities and the police department.
