Caledonia Argus

District looks to solve traffic concerns of new school

Posted: 3/5/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

The district will investigate the possibility of putting crossing guards on Hwy 44, in time for the beginning of school this fall at the new middle school/high school.

The suggestion was offered by Bob Standish who has been looking into the issue and found a sample contract from another school district which used four crossing guards on four busy highways.

He appeared before board members Monday night, March 4, urging them to act on the traffic issues surrounding the single entrance into the new school. ìThis is something that can be put in place for very little money. You have to have something in place before the school opens,î he said.

With him were Caledonia Police Chief Duane St. Mary and Mary and and Gary Bubbers of Caledonia. St. Mary said his department would be willing to help in the training of any crossing guards and helping find money to purchase supplies. He commented, ìA lot of districts are going that way (crossing guards) because it guarantees that someone will be there.î

Board member Bruce Bulman commented that the state is also open to the idea of allowing flashing yellow lights to be installed near a crosswalk. However, the state (the Minnesota Department of Transportation), he said, would rather wait to see where the students walk across the highway to see where to put up a crosswalk. Bulman said that the state has indicated that the likelihood of putting in a stoplight is slim because there isnít enough traffic flow.

Since the sample contract also involves the city, Standish agreed to continue his research and be a liaison between the district and the city for pursuing the cities involvement in the crossing guard idea.

Currently the only plan the district has in place for the traffic situation involves a bus which arrives at the current high school after dropping off elementary students and then taking middle and high school students to the new school.

Access discussed

Board member Chuck Schulte raised the issue of access to the new school. Right now Gjere Avenue is the only access. He feels some kind of deal must be worked out so that Esch Drive can be opened up. The land is currently owned by Ma Cal Developers and dead-ends just past Alco and the car wash. When negotiations for development of that road fell through last year, the district purchased land north of the school to connect onto to Hwy. 76 so that they could have the option of eventually building a second access. But before that intersection and road can be developed, the district will still need to buy more land to accommodate a turning lane on Hwy. 76. It must also hire an engineer to draw up plans to submit to the state for approval of the access onto a state highway.

Schulte insisted, though, that an access onto Esch Drive is a natural entrance. ìI do believe one way or another, that street will go in. Sooner or later the public will demand that street goes in,î he said.

He explained that the Caledonia Chamber of Commerce has sponsored meetings with the city, MaCal and the school board to get Esch Drive completed. There have been three meetings so far.

Schulte said, ìTo be honest, the street does not benefit the district, the city or Ma Cal Developers. But we have an obligation to provide safe passage. Weíre negligent as a community if we donít.î

Schulte said he has even went so far in the meetings as to suggest ways to divide up the costs between the three entities.

Board studies workflow assessment

The board reviewed how it is meeting recommendations given from a workflow assessment of the district that was conducted last year by LarsonAllen Wieshair and Company.

The faculty use of technology brought forth comment from board member Suzanne Roesler. She would like to see how money that was invested in the virtual school and other technology is being utilized by faculty.

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