When students and parents began the new school year they were greeted by something unexpected – a new traffic light.

The new traffic light on Old Columbia Pike is at the main driveway for vehicles at Paint Branch. So far, the light has been the topic of much discussion and frustration. The light was originally supposed to be added along with the new school building in 2012. However, the light was held up in legal and bureaucratic issues according to PB Head of Security, Mr. Newsom.
The student-driver consensus is that the light is a failed attempt to speed up the drop off process. Senior Sam Shepard, who drives to school, believes the “light makes the [drop off] process longer than it originally was.”

Senior Jack Hino agrees that the traffic light is a burden. “I get to school at 7:29, but I get in the building at 7:38 because I am waiting in traffic before I can park,” says Hino.
According to PB Assistant Principal Mr. Hernandez, “The traffic light has a great impact on the traffic pattern as the community and the parents are still getting used to how it’s operated; and I think it’s going to take time before people get settled into the routine. Right now people aren’t really happy with the traffic light; from the students to the parents to the staff, it’s an adjustment period and that’s where we are right now.”

Parent Docia Owusu agrees that this transition period has been difficult. In fact, she has begun to drop off her kids earlier in order to beat the traffic.