JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Jacksonville Beach resident Donnie Brzuska is raising concerns about traffic safety near Discovery School, a private school next door to his home, saying that the school’s drop-off and pickup traffic has become a serious problem.
Brzuska recalls a frightening incident last August when his son was nearly hit by a car in front of the school. Videos taken by the concerned father in December show the street outside his home clogged with traffic during school pickup.
RELATED: ‘Respect the stop’: DCPS, Farah & Farah launch PSA initiative as new data raises concerns over school bus safety | JEA worker warns drivers after crash at utility site during Move Over month
He tells News4JAX that he worries about his son’s safety daily.
“My son says this part of his ride home is the scariest because he has to cross a busy four-lane road with no one helping with traffic,” Brzuska said.
He continued to explain that traffic backups vary depending on how many kids are being dropped off, school programs, and other community events. He added that at times, events can block the intersection up to three times in a single day.
The traffic issues have escalated from an annoyance to a safety hazard.
“A car trying to avoid traffic swerved into an oncoming lane and almost hit my son. That’s when I knew this was a serious safety issue,” he said.
In response, Brzuska started a petition in December urging the city to enforce safety rules for the school. Nearly 400 people have signed it.
“We’re just asking the city to enforce the rules they set for the school — like having crossing guards at drop-off and pickup, staggering the times, and making sure privacy barriers are in place,” he said.
Discovery School’s head, Petra Obritzberger, responded to the petition with a letter stating the school staggers drop-off times and does not have an intersection requiring a crossing guard.
The letter emphasized the school’s efforts to be a good neighbor.
Obritzberger was unavailable for an interview but shared this statement:
The Discovery School continues to work closely with the City of Jacksonville Beach to maintain full compliance with all applicable city requirements and legal regulations. Our priority has always been to operate responsibly and in alignment with established guidelines while serving the educational needs of our students.
As an independent, not-for-profit school, we have served the Jacksonville Beach and larger community for 35 years. We remain committed to being good neighbors and look forward to sustaining our productive partnership with local officials to ensure The Discovery School remains a positive community presence for many years to come.
Discovery School’s head, Petra Obritzberger
Despite the school’s assurances, neighbors like Brzuska say the problems persist.
“This is not a fight against the school, this is us standing up for our community. This is us just standing up for our safety and for our quality of life,” he said.
The City of Jacksonville Beach acknowledged the traffic concerns and said city staff are working with residents and school leadership to find solutions.
In a statement sent to News4JAX, a city spokesperson said:
The City is aware of the traffic concerns during school drop-off and pickup times and continues to monitor the situation closely. While traffic congestion during these periods is not unique and occurs at schools throughout the Beaches, City staff have met with concerned residents and school leadership and are working collaboratively to identify potential solutions focused on safety and traffic flow. At this time, the school is operating in compliance with applicable requirements.
Spokesperson for City of Jacksonville Beach