March 11, 2004

Smooth sailing
Simonds traffic flow problems solved

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Unlike other schools in Almaden equipped with the luxury of natural parking lots and entrance drive-thrus, Simonds School has for years battled dangerous traffic flow patterns during drop-off and pick-up hours at the campus—patterns that have both jeopardized the safety of children and irritated neighbors.

According to Principal Linda Kakes, who inherited the problem when she transferred to the school last year, something needed to be done immediately. “Literally, the first calls I got when I came over here were from staff, teachers and neighbors just going ballistic,” she says. “It was uncontrolled and chaotic—we had people parking in the crosswalk, blocking driveways, parking in the library and senior center lot, and kids crossing in the middle of the street. That situation was really unsafe and something needed to be done.”

Following a tip from Graystone Principal Jerry Kazmerczak, Kakes called Vice-Mayor Pat Dando's office for help in devising and implementing a solution. “Getting Pat involved was great,” says Kakes. “She pulled together the city, police officers and San Jose Unified Transportation. She has been so terrific with this school.”

Working with city officials, brainstorming meetings ensued in October with parents and members of the school PTA. Lisa Fraboni, PTA president, along with Joy Spodick and others, devised a plan, followed by a survey that was sent home to the parents. Statistics drawn from the 270 surveys returned indicated that roughly 68 percent of the students arrive and depart the school via individual automobiles, with more than 80 percent using either Parma Drive or Pajaro Way. Based on the feedback received, a plan was implemented, followed by a three-week trial in November that focused on adding a new location on Grapevine Way in an effort to relieve some of the congestion and encourage motorists to use safer driving and parking practices.

In December, a thorough plan was presented to the PTA by Lt. Mike Fahr with the San Jose Police Department, followed by a number of changes to the surrounding areas of the school, including No Stopping, Passenger Loading and Bus Zone signage, painted islands, red curbs, new crosswalks, double yellow lines, and one-way stop signs in an effort to make traffic flow more efficiently through the neighborhood.

“It takes a lot of physical work getting the cones out and getting them in again,” Kakes admits. “But people are just thrilled. What they really needed was to have a master plan and they've been wonderful about following it. We've had a few times where people have made U-turns, but the police have been great giving us support and that's virtually disappeared.”

Judy Armacost and Maureen Stanaway are among the many parent volunteers who provide adult supervision and yard duty at each corner and help facilitate the transition. “I think the parents know the deal and how to get around now,” says Stanaway. “It's so much more effective.”

“Its safer too,” adds Armacost. “We had parents who were dodging their kids across the street before. They are so happy to see us now.”

Kakes credits Dando, Lt. Fahr and city representative Russ Taft, among others, for pulling the players together and moving forward with the changes. “Dando and Fahr have been absolutely fabulous,” she asserts. “It was also the hard work of the parents who knew the site and knew the issues. Not only did they help design it, they've been out here crossing and directing traffic.”

According to Kakes, the response has been wonderful, with parents thanking them for the changes and crediting them with lowered blood pressure levels. “Somebody even drove up and handed one of our volunteers a Starbucks one morning,” she says. “That kind of keeps your spirits going.”