Principal: Safety top concern at Adams Elementary

A new construction project in Rexburg will help improve student safety at one elementary school. The parking lot that sits west of Adams Elementary is being redone to offer parents more parking. Principal Stephen Gentile said the new parking lot will also promote greater transportation safety at the school.

“Right now we have buses and cars together in the front of our school, and this new parking lot area is going to be where the parents drive around separately from the buses so we just keep the kids safer. The whole reason is for safety,” he said.

Local News 8 and KIDK News received emails from viewers concerned about kids who walk past the construction site to get to school. But Gentile said he has found a solution and people shouldn’t be worried.

Gentile said at one point he was walking kids to and from school, but now they use a trail behind the back of the building to get to school. An orange mesh fence has also been added for additional security.

“No one comes on this field; we just keep them away from it. Our playground is completely separated by buildings and a fence on the other side of those buildings,” Gentile said.

“Kids are never over in that area in the daytime. As they get dropped off, they are right here in front of the school and parents and teachers are always with them. They are not on that side of the parking lot,” said Janet Brewer, a parent.

The construction should be complete in mid-October.