School board reviews ECC traffic flow

Pedestrian and traffic flow at the Creston Community School District’s Early Childhood Center planned addition to the elementary/middle school building highlighted the DLR Group architect presentation Monday during the Creston school board meeting.

Student drop-off design and flow have been discussed in recent months and the issue was again explained. The relocation of the center to the elementary/middle school building will bring more students and traffic to the entire facility. Suggestions and proposals were to find the safest and most logical procedure for parents and students of the center and the elementary-middle school building being there at the same time.

“There probably has been a half dozen drafts, I don’t know. I’m glad we came to a solution,” said Creston Superintendent Deron Stender. “For me it was very frustrating.” He explained how people met and were able to list their pros and cons of the parking and drop off plan.

The Early Childhood Center will have a dedicated park and drop off area, either by a parent or staff member, separate from the elementary-middle school.

“There is a human aspect to things,” said project manager Eric Beron about traffic flow. “And on paper the engineering behind it.”

Should conditions or enrollment change in the future, DLR representatives said there can be modifications to meet the needs.

“Every scenario has a logistical problem. Every scenario has a personal or a human element you have to manage.” Stender said. “When the team was done, I thought they did a good job.”

There will be interior space to create and allow for some recreation. The space highlighted is large enough to hold a typical wrestling mat.

Additional information about the early childhood center addition is expected to be included in the March 18 board meeting.

In other board news...

As the board is researching the fiscal year 2025 budget, the board reviewed projected enrollment numbers in the future which will influence budgeting. Estimates show a loss of 29 students for fiscal year 2025, which begins July 1. Enrollment drops are forecast to be similar the next four years. It’s expected Creston will reach a point where it won’t have a grade with more than 100 students.

The number of high school students by grade this fall is expected to range from 115 to 130. Younger grades will not be in the 100s as three grades will be in the 90s. State aid will also influence budget decisions.

The board approved a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, March 25 as part of the fiscal year 2025 budget process. Union County is expected to mail tax rate information March 20 to property owners.

The board approved a public hearing at 6 p.m., Monday, April 15, to approve the fiscal year 2025 budget.

Board member Don Gee was not in attendance for the entire meeting.