Two parents came before the school board with what one called a potential hazard at Adair County Primary Center.
Parent Jennifer Nuntavong said parking and the roundabout at ACPC are congested in the afternoons during parent pick-up to the point that she is worried a student or parent may get injured.
“I feel like there is a potential hazard here and I can’t not say anything,” Nuntavong said. Nuntavong is a School-Based Decision Making Council parent member.
There are approximately 88 parking spots in the parking lot and there are about 70 staff members at the primary center, Nuntavong said.
“I have seen as little as 10 parking spots and 18 at the most before parents’ arrival,” Nuntavong said.
She said this forces parents to park along the road that connects the bypass to Indian Drive.
Nuntavong also said there is only one crosswalk in the entire parking lot and that is a big issue also.
“Four more crosswalks would be ideal,” Nuntavong said.
Nuntavong said rerouting ACHS students as a right turn only would greatly reduce the traffic flow problems.
Ashley Curry, also a SBDM parent member, also spoke with the board about the parking issue.
“I’m afraid we have a major safety issue here,” Curry said.
Superintendent Alan Reed said the issues have been discussed in an administrative meeting and the district is looking into ways to solve the problem.
During his superintendent’s report, Reed said he wants the school board to look into drug testing students and employees.
“Right now in this community and in the general area there is perceived to be a drug problem,” Reed said. “I can’t tell you if there is a drug problem (at the Adair County schools) unless we find out.”
Reed said he wants to put together a committee to look into what other schools are doing and the cost.
Board member Mike Harris said the school had implemented drug testing before and the district should just be able to reinstate it.
“I’m wanting to extend our drug testing to all employees and students,” Reed said. “And I will be the first to stand in line.”
Jeff Hoover, school district attorney, said the district would more than likely only be able to drug test students involved in extracurricular activities and who drive to school.
The fact that last time band students weren’t able to be drug tested was brought up and Hoover said that was because band was a class not an extra curricular activity.
Reed said he wanted to look into how all students could be tested.
“I don’t want drugs on our school campus,” Reed said. “I can’t tell you there aren’t drugs on campus, but there shouldn’t be.”
Reed said he would be finding out what other districts in the state do and what their policies are regarding testing.
“If we save on life, that’s enough reason for me to do it.” Reed said.
By Toni Humphress
toni@adairvoice.com
