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The crosswalk at Bob and Willoughby Streets in
front of Lucknow Central Public School
Concerned for the safety of the children who attend Lucknow Central
Public School, parents and staff have approached Huron-Kinloss council
with the need to have a crossing guard at the corner of Bob and
Willoughby Streets in front of the school.
Diane Metcalfe, a parent and chairperson of the School Community
Council, told the township at the general committee meeting yesterday
(March 2), that during drop-off and pick-up times for students, Bob
Street is quite busy. This makes the area hazardous for students who are
walking home.
"The cars that line the street while picking up and dropping off
students make it difficult to see while crossing the street," she said.
"Currently, there are 76 students who are walking to and from school.
This represents almost half of the school population and yet there is no
one to make sure that they cross the street in front of the school
safely."
Staff are currently breaking the township's rules by assisting the
students to get across the street safely, said Metcalfe. "Did you know
that it is illegal for adults to cross pedestrians unless the adults are
employees of the municipality? Also, crossing guards, as employees of
the municipality, are the only people, other than police officers, who
are legally allowed to stop traffic. Therefore, the situation in front
of Lucknow Public School must change."
She outlined four options: a pedestrian crosswalk, a three-way stop,
doing nothing, or for the municipality to hire a crossing guard.
The best option, said Metcalfe, is a crossing guard. "This would allow
for a fair and even flow of traffic for both pedestrians and motorists,"
she said. "Crossing guards have adult judgment and authority to ensure
the safe movement of students across the street. Crossing guards also
prevent incidents. They can actively hold children back out of the way
of negligent motorists who fail to stop, thus literally saving lives."
She stressed that the young people in Lucknow need to be valued and
cared for to the degree they deserve. "Their safety should not be
compromised for any reason," she said. "The municipality obviously
believes in the value of a crossing guard as there is an official
crossing guard for the intersection of Havelock and Campbell Streets.
So, please listen to the community of Lucknow and hire a crossing guard
to keep our children safe."
Councillor Jim Hanna said council is concerned about the children's
safety and appreciates the situation that exists in front of the school
but can't afford to have a crossing guard at every corner. (next column)
03/03/2009 07:46 PM
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Lucknow Central Public School on Bob Street in the
village
The school is a bit hard to see from Bob Street due
to snow piled up in front of it
Bluewater District School Board trustee Jan Johnstone, who represents
Huron-Kinloss, was at the council meeting and suggested the township
could have a police officer come in and assess the situation. "There are
high snow banks there which are also an issue," she said.
Hanna pointed out that there is no crossing guard at Ripley-Huron
Community School which is also in the municipality.
Students return to class at Lucknow Central Public
School after recess Monday afternoon
"They have sidewalks on both side of the roadway," said
Metcalfe. "We have no sidewalks at the school in Lucknow."
Hanna said the Lucknow school could consider staggered
dismissal times as another option.
However, principal Mary Martha Uttley-Shaw said that staff
time is already being used to the optimum. "You're
constrained and we're constrained," said Hanna.
"Nobody can stay an extra 10 minutes?" asked councillor
Lillian Abbott.
Councillor Anne Eadie, a retired teacher, said she remembers
when the bussed students were loaded up and left the school
first, followed by the 'walkers.' "Teachers were often still
in their classes at that time," she said. "In this
situation, we see that the traffic on Bob Street is the
problem."
Council agreed to have the South Bruce OPP conduct a safety
assessment at the intersection and then decide if a crossing
guard is required.
"If the study says we need a crossing guard, then we'll do
it," said mayor Mitch Twolan. "The important thing here is
student safety."
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