Simpson Elementary PTA Asks Council to Get on Board with Safety Concerns
By Julie Perine on October 14, 2014 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Among those in attendance at Monday night’s Bridgeport City Council meeting were Simpson Elementary School PTA President Teresa Lunsford, Vice President Cyndy Smell and Principal Loria Reid. Smell took the floor to address Council during the public comment portion of the agenda.
“I’m here to talk about some safety concerns at Simpson Elementary,” she said. “I hope the board of education, the city and the PTA can work together in addressing these concerns in making Simpson a safer place for our kids.”
Those concerns include over-crowded sidewalks just before and after school hours; fear being that someone will get bumped into the street and get hit by a vehicle.
“And because the sidewalks are so narrow, when the school is practicing fire drills, they can only send out two classes at a time,” Smell added.
Another main concern is the speed of travelers on that section of road directly in front of the school.
“You would be shocked as to how many people fly up Worthington Drive and around the corner,” Smell said.
On school mornings, mass student drop-off has become a problem with safety as students exit vehicles becoming a concern.
Simpson Elementary is also in need of a handicap accessible ramp in the pick-up and drop-off zone. Reid also commented that after heavy periods of rainfall, water puddles in that crosswalk area. During recent spot paving, drains were apparently blocked, she said.
Finally, lighting is a problem as the sidewalks are quite dark. Reid said the first students arrive as early as 6:50 a.m. when there is very little daylight. Councilor Melissa Matheny commented that lighted walkways in the area of the footbridge would also be beneficial to members of the public as during downtown city events, many park in the Bridgeport United Methodist Church area and walk the path to Main Street.
Ultimately, Smell petitioned Council to support the PTA in implementing the following:
- Two flashing “School Zone” signs – one on each side of Worthington Drive in the area of the school entrance. Presently, there are only two official school zone signs - both at the bottom portion of Worthington near access from Virginia Avenue.
- “School Zone” painted on the street and the addition of a speed bump in the same area;
-
Eliminating on-street parking on Worthington Drive, across from
school playground – at least on school days; - The addition of lamp posts on school walkways, particularly between cafeteria and school entrance;
- Design student drop-off spaces on Worthington Drive near school entrance. Suggested are five designated spaces which would be occupied simultaneously by parents dropping off children. After children have exited all five vehicles, they would move on and another five would fill the spots.
Smell asked Council for commitment in supporting the PTA on their ideas for improvement.
Mayor Bob Greer said the best course of action would be to confer with City Manager Kim Haws to see what items are within the city’s control and could be considered for funding.
Smell said that the Harrison County Board of Education has already committed to being part of the solution and that Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin has appointed Neil Quinn as the board’s representative.
“We have a tentative meeting planned for two weeks out when Dr. Manchin wants to meet with the PTA to discuss ideas and concerns and it would be great to have a representative of the city there as well,” Smell said.
Haws said the city wants to nail down details and ascertain what Council can do to help, after which a group discussion could take place. Greer said because of the parking suggestion along Worthington Drive that a representative of Bridgeport United Methodist Church should also be included.
Editor's Note: Pictured from top are Reid, Lunsford and Smell, along with Lowell Maxey; Smell addressing Council; Greer and Matheny listening to Smell's presentation and file photo of Simpson Elementary crosswalk.
Read more about Monday night's Bridgeport City Council meeting HERE.
