As Highland Lakes schools open, watch for traffic and students
FROM STAFF REPORTS
MARBLE FALLS — The summer break officially ends for many students Aug. 22, though some have until Aug. 23, but school and law enforcement officials caution all drivers to pay attention to the increase in traffic.
Marble Falls and Llano students head back to class Aug. 22, while Burnet students return Aug. 23. Students at Faith Academy of Marble Falls began Aug. 15.
Marble Falls Police Lt. Steven Eckstein urged drivers to remain patient and expect heavier traffic and delays around schools, school zones and bus stops. He recommended that drivers leave earlier and consider alternate routes around schools and other affected areas until everyone gets used to the traffic patterns.
Marble Falls Independent School District superintendent Chris Allen also asked that drivers on RR 1431 in the vicinity of H-E-B, where Bluebonnet Drive and the reconfigured Avenue N intersect, pay particular attention during school hours.
With no traffic light at this intersection, Allen said the Marble Falls Police Department will have an officer directing traffic during the time the school zone sign is flashing.
Allen said he hoped drivers would slow down and pay particular attention in this area to keep students and the officer safe.
In Burnet, drivers can also expect increased traffic around the schools. This year marks a major change as Burnet Elementary School will no longer welcome kindergartner through second grade. The district utilized bond money to renovate Shady Grove Elementary School, which has been vacant for the past several years.
Burnet Consolidated Independent School District superintendent Keith McBurnett said the students who would have attended Burnet Elementary School will now attend Shady Grove, 111 Shady Grove Road. Quest High School will now use the former Burnet Elementary campus.
But this could cause some traffic issues, the superintendent acknowledged, as parents get used to dropping off students at Shady Grove.
With the proximity to R.J. Richey Elementary School, 500 E. Graves, which serves third through fifth grades, McBurnett acknowledged that some parents might have children at both campuses.
He recommended that those parents first drop off their Shady Grove students and then go to R.J. Richey.
McBurnett reiterated Eckstein’s and Allen’s caution to drivers and parents regarding the increased traffic around schools and buses on the roadways.
He reminded drivers to always stop when a school bus is stopped and its red flashers are going as students could be entering or exiting the bus.
editor@thepicayune.com