Ordinance No. 2021-8-3: To amend Section 12-73 (d) of Article IV, Speed, of Chapter 12, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plano, Texas to revise the effective times for the school zone on various streets, within the city limits of the City of Plano; and providing a penalty clause, a repealer clause, a severability clause, a savings clause, a publication clause, and an effective date. Adopted

The 84^th Texas Legislature passed HB 2610 that strikes language requiring 180 days of instruction and replaces this language with language requiring districts and charter schools to provide at least 75,600 minutes of instruction, including intermissions and recess.  This gives districts flexibility to adjust the school calendars resulting in Plano Independent School District (PISD) elementary and middle schools to start classes 5 minutes earlier in the morning and Frisco Independent School District to release 10 minutes later in the afternoon beginning in the 2020-2021 school year.  Due to the pandemic, both school districts started the school year in a virtual environment for all students.  With discussion with district staff, Transportation Engineering staff determined to hold off the revisions of the effective times for school zones for the 2020-2021 school year.

PISD and FISD will return to traditional face-to-face classroom learning in the 2021-2022 school year.  Transportation Engineering staff evaluated the effective times for the school zones and recommends the following changes:

• AM school zone times are to be effective for 60 minutes – 45 minutes before and 15 minutes after the first bell.
• PM school zone times are to be effective for 60 minutes – 15 minutes before and 45 minutes after the release time.
• School zone times were adjusted to a 15-minute increment.
• PM effective time for school zones serving high schools is 45 minutes to avoid the PM peak hour.
• We have several school zones that have modified times due to students crossing the streets outside of the regular school zone hours.  Times for these school zones were reviewed and determined that the existing times are appropriate except for the school zone on Independence Parkway provided for Rice Middle School.  Times for the school zone was adjusted to match the school zone times for middle schools.
• There are three school zones serving three private schools – Legacy Preparatory Charter Academy, Prince of Peace Catholic School, and St. Mark Catholic School.  Per discussion with staff at each campus, it was determined that no changes in school zone times are required at this time.

Transportation Engineering staff recommends the proposed school zone time changes to continue providing a safe environment for students, parents, and citizens while students get to and from school.

This item may impact revenue collected from fines due to violation of the school zone ordinance.  The exact change in revenue is indeterminable and will have minimal impact on the General Fund budget.

Approval of this item will support the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor Safe, Vibrant Neighborhoods.

This item may impact revenue collected from fines due to violation of the school zone ordinance.  The exact change in revenue is indeterminable and will have minimal impact on the General Fund budget.

Approval of this item will support the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor Safe, Vibrant Neighborhoods.