Keokuk, IA – A small stretch of Orleans Avenue gets pretty busy every weekday morning and afternoon.
That's because parents are dropping off or picking up their kids at Keokuk Middle School.
Principal Gary Benda says staff and administrators used to stand outside and direct traffic before and after school.
He says that is no longer an option because of a schedule change for faculty and staff.
Benda says ongoing construction has also eliminated some available parking previously used by parents.
The city council has agreed to help the district by authorizing the use of temporary stop signs.
"We are trying to get traffic to slow down," says Benda, "and to pay attention as the kids are walking across the street because they drop off on the other side of Orleans and walk across the street to the Middle School. We just want the traffic to slow down and stop."
Benda says the district will order the stop signs as soon as possible.
He would also like to see the police department at the school in the morning and afternoon to prevent U-turns.
It's unclear if that is possibly due to staffing levels.
The city council says it is also willing to establish a loading zone in front of the school to help with traffic.