In order to promote better traffic flow and streamline the drop-off and pick-up process at Marietta Public Schools, administrators have announced some changes to the procedures.
Lines during the first few days of school are typically lengthy, so parents are asked to plan accordingly and schedule extra time until a routine is established.
Major changes to the process include the following:
•Gilliam Street will be one-way headed west from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Traffic attempting to turn east onto Gilliam from Highway 77 will be blocked by school personnel and Marietta Police officers.
•Football Way will be blocked to through traffic in either direction from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
•Vestal Bennett Drive (elementary car loop/parking lot) will be a one-way from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. with only the outside loop open and entrance from the east end only. No traffic will be allowed either in or out of the middle access point of the parking area.
To make the drop-off and pick-up process as easy as possible, parents should use the following procedure:
•Coming from the north, avoid blocking traffic on Highway 77 by using 4th Street and Veterans Avenue to access Gilliam Street.
•Coming from the south, from Highway 77, turn east on Mayall Street, then follow Veterans Avenue to access Gilliam Street.
•From Gilliam Street, turn north on Vestal Bennett Drive (elementary car loop/parking lot) just past the elementary building.
•Once in the car line, stay in your vehicle. Walkups are not allowed.
•Follow the instructions of school staff to stopping points for loading and unloading.
•When you exit Vestal Bennett Drive, turn right (west) and go to Highway 77.
Middle school students may be picked up from the elementary car line or from the front of the middle school.
High school students will be picked up from the loop in front of the high school, which is accessible only from Highway 77. High school drivers will exit the high school parking lot by turning right (west) onto Gilliam Street and going to Highway 77.
“We have a new software system in place at the elementary and primary sites to expedite the process as much as possible,” said Superintendent Brandi Naylor, “but please be patient as drop-off and pick-up can take a lot of time in even the best of circumstances.”