A proposed traffic study for the new elementary school building by the City of Clinton to the Clinton Board of Education has been rejected.

Clinton Mayor Carolyn Peters and Commissioner Nan Crang approached the Board of Education recently, proposing the Board pursue a traffic study for their new elementary building, which will be near the Jr. High School and High School buildings. Superintendent of Clinton Schools, Dr. Jeff Holmes says the cost for the study would be almost six-thousand dollars, and feels it unnecessary to establish the fact traffic will be congested, something they are fully aware of currently.

[audio:trafficstudy1.mp3]Dr. Holmes on Cost of Study[/audio]

Board member Nancy Stokowski says as a resident of the community, she feels traffic congestion does not last long enough to justify spending six-thousand dollars. She feels at this time conducting a traffic study would be a waste of tax payers money.

[audio:trafficstudy2.mp3]Stokowski on Her Observations[/audio]

Dr. Holmes says he has considered several options to ease traffic flow and lessen congestion around the school buildings. He says the most appealing option is to start the high school day earlier, and end it earlier to alternate the start and end times of the schools and get the school that draws the most traffic through sooner.

[audio:trafficstudy3.mp3]Dr. Holmes on Alternative Options[/audio]

Because the Board decided to take no action on the proposal, no vote was needed. The new elementary building will add a new parking lot to the grounds, which may help in the flow of traffic as well.