Stop signs are needed at this school in Bismarck

Classes have officially started in almost all schools in our region.

School started yesterday in Mandan and last Wednesday in Bismarck Public Schools.

On my daily commute to the gym, I pass by this school called Roosevelt Elementary.

What shocks me is that right next to the school there is an uncontrolled or open intersection at North Griffen Street and West Avenue A (no stop signs).

Even further up at the intersection of North Griffen Street and West Avenue B, there are only a few yield signs on West Avenue B. On the other side of the school, it's even worse with two open intersections. Here's a map of those intersections so you can see what I'm talking about.

I guess what I'm getting at is how we can make it so that we do NOT have four stop signs at all the intersections surrounding this school and EVERY school in town.

How much money does four stop signs cost anyway? That's a no-brainer for me. Why we should have open intersections at any school in this city is beyond me.

Let's face it: Even adults have trouble navigating open intersections in the city (no one seems to know who has the right of way), let alone elementary school children.

(Read more about how no one seems to know how to drive at open/uncontrolled intersections here.)

I assume there are school crossing guards at these intersections, but what about the times when they are not on duty?

Children can and do arrive early or late to school on occasion. The same goes for leaving school. It just seems like a good insurance policy for the safety of our children. Yes, there is a school route sign, but that is not enough in my opinion.

I asked former Bismarck Mayor Steve Bakken how this could have happened to our public schools. Apparently the cost of signalized crossings is shared between the city and the school district.

The same goes for metal stop signs. So is it all about money? Again, how much would it cost to put four stop signs at all four intersections? At the very least, this should be done at every single school in the city for the safety of all children.

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