“During public commentary, Kathy Griswold argued that proper process was not followed in terms of including public input in planning for the upgrades to the Thurston Elementary School parking lot. She mentioned how a similar driveway set-up proposed to the community near King Elementary was rejected, and asked why a driveway plan that’s not good enough for King school was good enough for Thurston.”

“[Randy] Trent asserted that the design had been reviewed with the public at least four times. [Trustee Susan] Baskett confirmed again, “So, these [designs] were reviewed and supported by the Thurston community?” Trent answered, “Yes.”

Randy Trent is correct in saying that he engaged the Thurston parents; in fact the process is much improved under his leadership. Also, after parents vigorously protested a similar two-loop concept for the King School driveway in 2008, he worked with members of the transportation safety committee (TSC) on a planning procedure to avoid such problems in the future. However, the district did not follow this procedure with regards to other public input, including the transportation safety committee (TSC) and concerns on record with the district.

For example, the King parents, including many who are professionals in engineering and urban planning, recorded over twenty-five concerns with the two-loop concept during the forum held at King School in the spring of 2008. As a result, the district delayed the project for one year and abandoned the two-loop concept.

“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
George Santayana

Now we have the same two-loop concept scheduled for Thurston School this summer. It maximizes vehicular throughput, but at the expense of pedestrian safety. Per one urban planner at the U of M, the design is based on an airport drop-off zone, but is not appropriate for elementary students.

If the district had followed its own procedure for public input, then the Thurston community would have had the benefit of past information and the opportunity to design a safer driveway for its students.