Arriving too early for elementary student pickup in 2023-24 could hit Lehighton Area School District parents in the pocketbook.

Superintendent Dr. Christina Fish announced new on-campus travel regulations Monday night including no parking allowed on Union Street or Indian Lane for afternoon pick-ups until 2:45 p.m.

Multiple violations, Fish said, will end up in fines of a yet to be determined amount.

In past years, Fish said, some elementary school parents or guardians line up for pickup as early as 1:15 p.m. for a 3 p.m. dismissal, leading to some vehicles driving into oncoming traffic to try to get around the logjam.

“Showing up at 2:45 p.m. leaves 20 minutes before the elementary dismissal, which is plenty of time,” Fish said. “Vehicles stopping and parking on the road is creating a hazard. We can fix this, but we can’t fix it alone.”

Any vehicles stopped on the road before 2:45 p.m. will be asked to move by school police. If someone continues to stop, they will be assessed a written warning. Fines will be issued following the second written warning.

“We have more police this year to help us with this enforcement,” Fish said.

Staff and students leaving the high school between 2:15-3:15 p.m. are asked to leave campus via the Ninth Street exit.

Students, parents and staff entering the campus for sports or after school activities are asked to enter by the Mahoning Street entrance between 2:15-3:15 p.m.

The new traffic plan, Fish said, came following meetings between the district administration, district police, bus contractor and borough police chief.

“There will be signs put up specifically stating there is no stopping before 2:45 p.m.,” Fish said. “There can’t be an argument that it isn’t clear.”

Lehighton announced last month it would be seeking proposals from engineers for a traffic analysis. Proposals are due to the district by the end of today. If the district moves forward with a study based on the proposals, it is hoping for completion by the end of October.