CC MEETING: June 17, 2025
DATE: June 11, 2025
TO: Erin Rinehart, City Manager
FROM: Jonathan Wheat P.E., Director of Engineering
Shannon Hicks, P.E., Assistant City Manager
Title
Consider An Ordinance Amending Chapter 73 “Traffic Schedules” Of The Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Carrollton, Modifying Multiple School Zone Boundaries, Times, And Classifications Throughout The City Of Carrollton, Due To Anticipated School Closures And Changes In School Operating Times.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Carrollton School Closures
Ahead of the start of the 2025-2026 school year, seven school closures are anticipated within the City of Carrollton. These include the following: (location map in Exhibit 1)
|
School |
School District |
|
Furneaux ES |
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD |
|
McCoy ES |
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD |
|
Central ES |
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD |
|
Long MS |
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD |
|
Polser ES |
Lewisville ISD |
|
Life School Carrollton |
Life School Public Charter School District |
Though Central Elementary has been identified for closure, it is anticipated that the adjacent school, R. L. Turner High School, will utilize the property for supplemental classroom operations. Due to this, a majority of the school zones at this location will remain in effect, and be converted from a combined elementary and high school time classification to a high school only time classification.
Based off the above information, staff is recommending removal of the select school zones below: (location maps in Exhibits 2-7)
|
School |
Associated School Zones for Removal |
|
Furneaux ES |
Furneaux Lane, Peters Colony Road |
|
McCoy ES |
McCoy Road |
|
Central ES |
School Road |
|
Long MS |
Frankford Road |
|
Polser ES |
Polser Road, Holy Grail Drive |
|
Life School Carrollton |
Plumdale Drive |
Associated removal or adjustment of school zones and school zone signage/equipment will be completed over the summer.
School Zone Time Adjustments
J. R. Junkins Elementary School
The Dallas Independent School District (DISD) has not modified school operation times for the 2025-2026 school year. However, in previous years, J. R. Junkins Elementary School had followed a staggered release schedule for the afternoon dismissal period, beginning at 2:45 pm. With the removal of the staggered release schedule and all students being released at 3:20 pm, staff recommends to adjust the afternoon school zone times associated with J. R. Junkins Elementary School as follows:
School Operation Times Revised School Zone Times
J. R. Junkins E. S. 8:00 am to 3:20 pm 7:15 am to 8:15 am & 3:05 pm to 4:05 pm
Central Elementary School and R. L. Turner High School
As noted above, the remaining active school zones adjacent to R. L. Turner High School and Central Elementary School will be converted from a combined elementary and high school time classification to a high school only time classification, to adapt to the closure of the elementary school. Due to this, staff recommends converting the remaining school zone operation times of zones adjacent to R. L. Turner High School and Central Elementary School to times utilized by the remaining CFBISD high schools.
School Operation Times Revised School Zone Times
R. L. Turner H. S. 7:45 am to 8:45 am 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Harmony Science Academy
The current school zone for Harmony Science Academy is specified to be in effect when a flashing signal is in operation (a ‘when flashing’ classification). It is listed in Section (A)(13) which reflects this classification. However, the associated ordinance specifies designated school zone operation times within it, reducing the flexibility available with the ‘when flashing’ classification. Section (A)(9) similarly reflects the ‘when flashing’ classification, without the specified operation times. Due to this, staff recommends that the school zone listing for Harmony Science Academy be moved from Section (A)(13) to Section(A)(9).
Traffic Schedule Updates
Select Chapter 73 Traffic Schedules Schedule I listings do not reflect current school zone conditions. Due to this, staff recommends the following adjustments:
• Section (A)(1): Remove listing of Frankford Road at Cambridgeshire Drive. A crossing guard was previously based at this location. There is not presently a crossing guard or school zone established here. Therefore, staff recommends removing this location from Section (A)(1).
• Section (A)(2): Remove listings of Branch Hollow Drive at Rabbit Run Road, and Maumee Drive (from the south curb line of Carrollton Parkway to 840 feet south of the south curb line of Carrollton Parkway). These locations each lie within the spans of presently established school zones. Therefore, the removal of these listings will not result in removal of the associated school zones. Due to this, staff recommends removing these locations from Section (A)(2).
• Section (A)(7): Add a listing of Charles Road at Plano Parkway. There is presently an established school zone at this location, and a recent boundary adjustment on Charles Road extended the roadway and associated school zone to be included within the City of Carrollton city limits. Due to this, staff recommends adding this location to Section (A)(7).
These adjustments will not require the removal or addition of school zone signage or equipment.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding to remove, replace, or install school zone signage and equipment can be accommodated in the annual operating budget.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
This project will support the City Council’s strategic objectives and vision of building a community that families and businesses want to call home by:
• Setting reasonable and safe speed limits in designated school zones during school morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up periods of time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached ordinance that revises Chapter 73 Schedule I (A) of the Carrollton City Code.