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Board debates converting dead-end section of Jackson Street adjacent to Central School
Summary
Board members clarified that the district owns the dead-end segment by the Central School basketball court and debated converting it into a courtyard, adding teacher parking, or pursuing playground/turf projects; no vote was taken and members asked staff to seek cost estimates and borough coordination.
Board members spent an extended portion of the June 16 meeting discussing a short dead-end segment of Jackson Street adjacent to Central School after staff clarified the district owns the portion next to the basketball court while the borough owns the section toward Broad Street. Members discussed multiple options — removing the roadway and creating a raised courtyard, converting the area into staff or teacher parking, or prioritizing playground turf projects — and emphasized that funding, ingress/egress constraints and borough rules must be resolved before any work proceeds.
One speaker described a concept of removing the road surface, raising the grade and installing a curb at the end of the courts to create a courtyard rather than fencing the area. Board members exchanged concerns about afternoon pickup traffic and the loss of roughly six to eight vehicle spaces if the road is repurposed; Mr. Hubler specifically raised safety and congestion worries for dismissal times.
Members noted prior decisions influenced the current options: the board previously decided not to accept a recreation grant for a large turf project because long-range facilities recommendations carry multi‑million-dollar priorities. Several speakers said that before approving any district costs the board needs borough pricing for paving and clear estimates of the district’s share; prevailing-wage rules were also cited as a requirement for any construction contract.
Ideas floated to address staff parking included charging nearby businesses to lease existing behind-office parking or reserving that lot for staff. Board members asked administration and borough representatives to return with cost estimates and clarity about the borough’s parking plans so the board can consider the highest-and-best use for the site at an upcoming meeting.
No formal motion or vote on a change to Jackson Street was taken at the June 16 meeting; board members scheduled follow-up discussion tied to forthcoming borough pricing and the district’s August meeting calendar.
