It’s been over one week that the drop-off and pickup changes have been implemented at Greene County Elementary School.

Last year, parents entered the half-circle drive from the west from Russell Street. Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse previously told Raccoon Valley Radio the situation caused vehicles to back up and block three intersections. He said it caused a safety concern for him because if a motorist were to pull around idling vehicles, they could hit a child crossing the street. 

The change was to simply reverse the flow of traffic to enter the east side of the drive, heading south on Cedar Street. Principal Scott Johnson says overall the feedback he’s been getting has been very positive.

“Several of the parents have commented to me that they actually like the way we are doing it better. It seems to have less congestion on Russell Street and it seems to be safer for the kids down that way also. We are not blocking three intersections. They are coming across (Russell Street from Cedar Street) and everybody is being courteous with each other and patient. So far it’s been going great.”

Clouse says he’s seen a big difference witnessing how motorists have adapted to the change.

“It’s still a 15-18 minute period each afternoon that we have a little congestion on Cedar Street. But it flows a lot better and it’s definitely much, much safer. I do have signs coming to post ‘No Right Turn’ or ‘No Left Turn’ from the stop signs on Russell Street. They are not here yet. But when they get here that will just help even more for people to understand that we have to come off of Cedar Street.”

Johnson and Clouse both thank the public for their patience and cooperation with the change.