BERNE, Ind. — The Board of Public Works and Safety took a significant step toward revamping campus traffic flow Wednesday, voting unanimously to recommend a new ordinance aimed at improving safety at the South Adams School District.
Ordinance 796, which will now head to the City Council for final approval, seeks to establish enforceable traffic regulations on school property. If adopted, the measure would grant local law enforcement the authority to issue citations for violations such as speeding, disregarding directional signage, and unauthorized parking.
Currently, police have limited ability to manage traffic on school grounds unless an accident occurs. School officials and law enforcement say the lack of enforceable rules has led to persistent congestion on Parkway Street, creating safety hazards for students, staff, and parents during drop-off and pick-up hours.
“We have constantly been looking to do changes to make it safer for both our parents and our kids,” said the school’s School Resource Officer (SRO) during the meeting.
The proposed plan includes several infrastructure and procedural adjustments:
-
Traffic “Snaking”: Parents will be directed to use designated visitor parking areas to create a “snaking” lane for pickup and drop-off, which officials say will alleviate traffic backups on Parkway Street.
-
Signage and Flow: The ordinance formalizes one-way traffic patterns and “no-stop” zones, which will be marked by official signage and ground arrows.
-
Accessibility: The district plans to significantly expand the number of handicap-accessible parking spaces on the north side of the campus.
-
Site Security: The ordinance also includes provisions to allow officers to challenge individuals on school property during school hours, closing a loophole that previously hindered authorities from identifying unauthorized visitors who refused to disclose their business on campus.
The SRO noted that the district intends to station staff and officers at the school during the first few weeks of the 2026-2027 academic year to help commuters transition to the new flow.
Board members praised the proactive approach, noting that the initiative has been vetted through multiple school board meetings. The ordinance is expected to come before the City Council for introduction and formal adoption throughout the month of June.
If passed, the new rules would be fully implemented in time for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.