SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – As students in Sumter County head back to school Wednesday morning, officials say while some new policies have gone into effect, they are sticking with many systems that have worked well over the years.
Traffic safety is a top priority in many districts across the region. Allen Shirley, principal of South Sumter High School, said he is excited for school to start. Several new policies and programs have been introduced to ensure the school year runs smoothly. He explained that issues such as safety require cooperation between school authorities, parents and students, and even the police.
Officials said additional officers will be on duty Wednesday to direct traffic and enforce safety rules around the school, while asking parents and non-parent drivers to be patient and pay attention to signage and speed limits to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.
“You shouldn’t just take a walk-in, drop-off and run approach, that may not be the fastest process. But the most important thing is to just follow the instructions and directions, the signage. As long as that happens, we have good systems,” Shirley said.
Since the buses are expected to run a little slower in the first week, parents should expect to have to wait. Additional police officers will be on duty to regulate traffic.
