What was once a familiar afternoon traffic backup on Hillside Road entering Independence Primary School has taken on a much different look this school year.
With the newly constructed rear access road off Brecksville Road now open and the implementation of the school’s new School Dismissal Manager (SDM) system, IPS families are experiencing a smoother and more efficient dismissal process.
The improvements are the result of months of planning and collaboration among Independence Local Schools, the City of Independence and the Independence Police Department to address traffic congestion and improve safety around the school.
“We knew dismissal was an area where we could make a meaningful improvement for our families and our community,” said Superintendent Kelli Cogan. “Seeing the new access road in use and traffic moving so efficiently has been incredibly rewarding. This is exactly what we hoped to accomplish when we began working with the City on this project.”
The new 800-foot access road connects the IPS property to Brecksville Road and provides another route onto the school campus. Previously, vehicles arriving for dismissal could create backups along Hillside Road that sometimes extended to Brecksville Road.
The City and District constructed the road last school year through a partnership. Improvements to Brecksville Road also created a dedicated left-turn lane for southbound traffic entering the new access road.
This year, IPS paired the new traffic pattern with School Dismissal Manager and its Fast Lane system to further streamline afternoon pickup.
Families enter a dismissal plan for each student through the SDM app. Those picking up students through Fast Lane check in once they arrive on school property by scanning a QR code through the app. After check-in, families receive their lane number and position within the lanes, while the same information is communicated to school staff.
Each authorized pickup person has an individual SDM account and personal PIN, adding another layer of safety and security to the dismissal process.
“The first days of school have shown us just how much of a difference these changes can make,” said IPS Principal Jodie Hughes. “Our families have done a wonderful job learning the new system, following the procedures and being patient as everyone became familiar with Fast Lane. The result has been a dismissal process that is organized, safe, and moving very efficiently.”
Approximately 130 IPS students are picked up or dropped off by car each day, in addition to students who travel on the school’s seven bus routes. Coordinating that traffic safely and efficiently has been a longstanding priority for the District.
The new access road also provides an additional entry point to the IPS campus for emergency responders.
Cogan said seeing the completed project in action reinforces the value of the partnership that made it possible.
“This was a true community effort,” Cogan said. “The City, Police Department, our staff, and our families all played a role. Most importantly, we now have a system that improves safety while making arrival and dismissal easier for everyone.”
