SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Traffic congestion around McClatchy High School has become an increasing concern for students, parents, staff and nearby residents, leading to efforts to add crossing guards to improve safety and traffic flow on and around campus.

Built in 1937, the high school sits along Freeport Boulevard in the historic Land Park neighborhood, where it currently serves more than 2,000 students. Its front entrance experiences heavy congestion during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup, with traffic often stretching down the block, contributing to tardiness and creating risks for students walking or biking.

Wendy Bogdan, a Land Park resident and president of the C.K. McClatchy High Parent Teacher Student Association, said the issue is due in part to the limited space in their densely populated neighborhood, where most people commute by car.

“We were hearing from students, families, neighbors, teachers and staff that the situation was really growing untenable,” Bogdan said.

She said the association has spent the past three years working to address what she described as serious traffic issues that go beyond congestion, including safety concerns at the school’s student drop-off zone and its surrounding streets.

 

A view of McClatchy High School’s one-way entrance off Freeport Boulevard, which leads into the student drop-off area at the front of its campus.

“Our neighbors really, really suffer from the traffic situation,” Bogdan added.

Bogdan said the PTSA, in collaboration with other stakeholders, developed a pilot crossing guard program set to launch for the upcoming school year. Volunteers will be trained in coordination with the Sacramento Police Department.

Community members are encouraged to volunteer for shifts (45 minutes long) from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 2:15 to 3 p.m. on Thursdays. Volunteers will help monitor traffic in front of the school as well as along 7th Avenue and Bidwell Way.

“From drop-off and pick-up, we move about 2,500 humans into or out of the school, and it’s a very constrained place,” Bogdan said.

She added that crossing guards will serve as a visible presence during peak traffic times that reinforce the school’s values/expectations for commuters and help students navigate intersections more safely.

“Those values promote safe and respectful commute choices, being safe and respectful to yourself, to each other, to neighbors and to the Earth as you maneuver in and out (of the school),” she said.

Those interested in signing up can contact [email protected] or fill out an interest form at forms.gle/r2RqmaV2Kd5abMh46. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and will have to complete a Sacramento City Unified School District volunteer clearance.

 

The C.K. McClatchy High Parent Teacher Student Association is launching a pilot crossing guard program for the next school year and is seeking volunteers to help monitor traffic in front of campus and along nearby streets, including 7th Avenue and Bidwell Way. 

Another effort Bogdan highlighted that could ease congestion is through advocating for the continued funding of free public transit for students.

Since 2019, Sacramento Regional Transit’s RydeFreeRT program has allowed students in its service area to ride fare-free year-round. The city of Sacramento initially funded the program with $1 million to improve school attendance. Following increases in ridership and attendance, the program was extended through 2021 and has since been supported by contributions from the county, the City of Sacramento, other cities within the SacRT district and local school districts.

According to SacRT, the program is renewed annually based on available funding. The agency’s website states funding levels are expected to remain flat in the 2026 fiscal year, while efforts continue to secure long-term support. 

Bogdan said funding for the program could see an end in June, which raises concern for students that rely on fare-free rides to school through the public transit system. Current passes are valid through June 30.

“McClatchy students are one of the heaviest users of that program; it has multiple benefits,” she said. “It is essential for school attendance for some students,” adding that it also helps to combat traffic congestion and air pollution caused near the school.

Students have already begun their own efforts by championing for continued funding for the program. Bogdan noted that the school’s Eco Club has written to city and school district leaders, with plans to also reach out to regional agencies such as SMUD for support.

“It’s a really essential part of the solution for many folks,” Bogdan said. “…if a percentage of those folks stop taking transit and start driving, then the traffic situation at McClatchy is just going to be that much worse.”

 

Freeport Boulevard, the two-way street in front of McClatchy High School, is shown during school hours outside of peak drop-off and pick-up times.

With current funding for the program expected to end in two months, Bogdan said the coming weeks are crucial to saving it.

Residents can contact city and Sacramento City Unified School District officials using the PTSA Ryde Free advocacy template email available at bit.ly/4tSF930 (case sensitive). Contact information is listed on the template document. Community members are also encouraged to speak during public comment at Sacramento City Unified Board meetings, held at 6:15 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of each month at the Serna Center Community Rooms at 5601 47th Ave. Upcoming meetings include April 30 and May 7.

City Council meetings are held at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at 915 I St. Upcoming dates include April 28, May 5 and May 12.

Residents interested in helping may also contact SMUD or speak during its public meetings to explore the agency’s potential role in supporting the effort. The next meetings is scheduled for May 21, with participation details available on the SMUD Board of Directors agenda at smud.org/Corporate/About-us/Company-Information/Board-Meetings.