Idea Floated Out to Create New One-Way Morning Exit at Malcolm White

By 10 minutes to three in the afternoon, it’s over:  the rush of cars into the driveways  to the to pick up students.

Cars started to queue up around 2:15 Thursday afternoon. Drivers began to line up along the sidewalk near the front door, at Bow Street. They formed two lines down the center entrance, with staff parking on their left and the hill in front of the school on their right. Still more vehicles arrived in the entrance farthest from the front door.

To help ease vehicle congestion at the White School, specifically at drop-off in the morning, school building facilities director David Dunkley had an idea:  widen the path between the White School and and make it a one-way-out exit for morning drop-offs only.

The subject came up at a School Committee Resource Subcommittee meeting Tuesday morning.

Even more students will be going to the White School in the fall, after the Clapp School closes, noted subcommittee Chairman Joseph Crowley.

The vehicle problem is worse in the afternoon than the morning, according to Dr. John Wells, a member of both the School Committee and subcommittee, because drivers park in the afternoon while they wait for their student passengers.

Dunkley said he had spoken to the principals of the White School and the high school and the police department about the situation. He did not elaborate on those conversations.

The driveway between school’s lower parking lot, outside the school gym, and Bow Street, is tight already, commented School Committee member Christopher Kisiel.

Read the related story about drivers’ reactions to the drop off and pick up situation at the Malcolm White School.