School official seeks more traffic safety measures

A local school official was at the Oct. 2 Libby City Council meeting to ask for more traffic safety measures.

Kootenai Valley Christian School Administrator Tara Niemi said rising enrollment has led to more traffic and concerns for safety at the school, which is located at 1024 Montana Ave.

Niemi said the private school, which serves students from pre-school through 12th grade, has 103 students enrolled.

Niemi wrote in a letter to council, “There are concerns regarding traffic safety around our school for pedestrians and drivers as traffic has increased during school drop-off and pick-up times. Families, neighbors and other community members have requested that stop signs and a reduced school zone speed limit be put in.”

Niemi said there have been speeders and impatient drivers passing unsafely, “but our staff and parents have kept the students safe from any close calls. We have a crossing guard on duty as well. The improved signage and an increase in police presence, should reduce any further issues.”

Niemi said the zone is already 20 miles per hour, “but it is only on a side street with only one sign.”

Niemi said more street signs on Montana Avenue and East Spruce Street with the possibility of four stop signs would make people more aware of more kids in the area.

Councilor Gary Beach said he’d contact Niemi to set up a meeting with the Streets Committee to move the request forward.