Eureka City Schools Board of Trustees oppose one-way streets near Washington Elementary

EUREKA, Calif. — During Thursday's Eureka City Schools' meeting, the Board of trustees passed a motion declaring they are "adamantly" opposed to the one-way project near Washington Elementary School.

Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery provided the school district' with a presentation on the one-way proposal on Dolbeer and Chester streets.

Many on the school board said they think the one-way change would make it more dangerous for students. Prior to that, board members questioned Slattery about how this would impact those at the nearby school.

Slattery presented the three options to the school board on how the one-way transformation could occur on Dolbeer and Chester streets. Those options took into account school buses and drop-offs and pick-ups.

Following the presentation, those during public comment spoke in opposition to all three options, saying they would rather keep the streets as is.

"[The] most important thing is to make your kids safer and so what you're giving us is not making our kids safer or as safe." ECS Trustee Mike Duncan said.

Slattery disagreed with Duncan's statement later saying, "We have a responsibility to the whole community. We have a responsibility to not only our children but all of our commercial drivers and public safety. We have a responsibility to all of the neighbors in that area and based on the opinions of our traffic engineer, that this is safer than the current conditions."

The ECS Board of Trustees repeatedly emphasized student safety and said they failed to see how any of the three options would make it safer for the kids.

Some on the school board also questioned Slattery on why the city is wanting to rush the one-way project and why the school board wasn't involved in conversations sooner.

The City of Eureka is set to revisit the one-way project item again at the Oct. 18 City Council meeting.