Short‑term plan from township, sheriff and district to ease Madison Avenue drop‑off backups

Board members heard a report Wednesday on a multi‑agency effort to reduce vehicle backups on Madison Avenue during school arrival and dismissal. Trustee Gabe Cicconetti, Chief Deputy Bob Izzo and Riverview Principal Tracy Shannory joined district staff and a Lake County deputy to discuss immediate and longer‑term options.

Trustee (transcript) Miss Grama told the board that Hazel Township will provide temporary traffic rails and signage and police/sheriff deputies will manage the initial traffic plan; the district said it expected to trial the temporary measures as soon as the township can deliver cones and signs. Deputy Ward — the school resource deputy credited with stopping a shooter at a different school last year — was named as coordinating traffic control on site.

The group also discussed longer‑term improvements tied to construction: once the new addition and parking lot (approximately 60 spaces) are complete in three to four months, the new lot should remove the need for cars to line up on Madison Avenue. Board members said they would monitor the pilot and coordinate communications to parents about the temporary plan and later transition to the expanded parking layout.

No formal action was necessary; the update was informational and trustees thanked township and sheriff's office participants for the quick coordination.