Stephens County Schools Urge Smooth Ride for First Day

The new school year in Stephens County begins this Friday. One of the concerns for administrators in the Stephens County School System is traffic congestion on the first day. Stephens County School Superintendent Bryan Dorsey says even though it is the first day of school, parents are urged to start their routine right off the bat. “Obviously that first day, like any first day, will be heavy with congestion with parent, student, and bus traffic” says Dorsey; “We certainly want everyone to be safe. We know there will be a lot of new and that brings curiosity. One of the things we would love to do is encourage parents that if your kid rides a bus, that first day would be a great start. It gives us a chance to predict our traffic patterns sooner and reduce congestion around schools.”

Dorsey says he understands that first day can be special and urges drivers to understand as well. “We know that is still a big day for everybody, and know that parents that have the opportunity enjoy bringing their kids that first day. So we encourage a lot of patience that first day.”

Two school areas, in particular, could see heavy congestion this Friday. Dorsey says it is imperative that caution be used in these congested areas. “With having all of our pre-k and kindergarten at one location we know that Big A could be a congested area that first day in the morning and afternoon.” Says Dorsey; “Rose Lane has always been a congested area in the afternoon. We hope that you will be patient there. Our student and staff safety is important, as is our citizens on the road. We certainly want everyone to be careful in the school environments as this comes up.”

Dorsey says officials in the community are assisting to make sure things move as smoothly as possible. “We have met with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Department and they have been very supportive to assist in anyway they can. We will have an extra Deputy around the Big A area the first week of school dealing with traffic there.”

The beginning of the school day is not the only heavy traffic congestion time. Dorsey says that one thing that would really help traffic flow is arrival time at schools end instead of lining up much earlier. “The early arrivals for departure times create back-up of traffic and push it to the roads very early before school is dismissed.” Says Dorsey; “If drivers could arrive right at school dismissal instead of an hour or two early that would help in a couple of ways. It would help our traffic congestion at the schools, and make it easier for emergency vehicles to move through those areas should they need to, instead of figuring out a way to navigate around that.”