INDIANAPOLIS -- With an historic election a week away, central Indiana schools are preparing for an influx of traffic that may be unlike anything they have ever seen before.

Numerous schools will have polling places set up in their gyms. Districts such as Washington Township, in Marion County, have been discussing how to handle expected record-breaking crowds, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

"Our principals develop plans to do that," said Jim Mervilde, superintendent of Washington Township. "We try to get out in front of it and try to be very proactive and make sure we manage our traffic."

Allisonville Elementary is accustomed to hosting large events and already has a plan for Election Day. The school has enough parking for about 1,000 cars, and there will be overflow parking in some grass nearby.

Washington Township school security will direct traffic, and voters will only be allowed in the polling place. They will not have access to the rest of the building.

The school system is already dealing with an influx of voters. One of Marion County's early voting satellite centers is the J. Everett Light Career Center, which is next to North Central High School.

"I think they're doing wonderful," said voter George Rudolph. "There's more security here than there is downtown."

While voting takes place, schools will operate as normal, but Mervilde said he hopes the process will be educational.

"I think it sends a great message of responsibility, which is one of our character values, to have voters show up in this number," Mervilde said. "This is a great … civics lesson for our kids."