After crossing-guard death, Fort Mill wants safety review, lower speed limits on school roads
The town of Fort Mill is formally requesting a review of state roads in front of 20 schools, and reduced speed limits, in response to the recent death of a school crossing guard who was hit by a vehicle.
Three weeks ago, crossing guard Stanley Brucker, 61, was struck while directing traffic at one of two entrances that serve Fort Mill Elementary and Fort Mill Middle schools. Brucker died after being transported to an area hospital.
On Monday night, the town unanimously approved a resolution that asks the South Carolina Department of Transportation to review “signage, signals and any other safety measures at all school sites” within the school district, said Mayor Guynn Savage.
“Is the signage correct? Is it large enough? Are there flashing lights at each one? Is there a pedestrian walkway, is there not?” Savage asked.
In addition to the review, the request asks that speed limits on state roads serving schools drop to 25 mph. Most schools, including many along Fort Mill Parkway or Springfield Parkway that bypass the town, are on 45 mph roads now. They have signage in places that drops to 35 mph during school drop off or dismissal times.
Concerns over school crossing safety in York County stretch back for decades
The Fort Mill School District has 20 schools. Most, but not all, are in Fort Mill. The district also serves Tega Cay and unincorporated areas between Fort Mill and Tega Cay. The district has three high schools, six elementary schools and 11 elementary schools. It also has a district office, an aquatics center and other properties that aren’t schools.
The district has more than 18,000 students. It’s the largest district by population in York County, despite being the smallest geographically in the state.
Many district schools are located off state-maintained roads. All schools are served directly or indirectly by them, Savage said. Monday’s request is the town’s attempt to prevent last month’s tragedy from ever happening again, she said.
“We must go through the proper channels,” Savage said. “Because we alone do not have jurisdictional ability to go out and make changes on a roadway that doesn’t belong to us.”
Prosecutor explains why no charges filed in death of Fort Mill school crossing guard
The school district has been in contact with parents and community members in recent weeks, saying work is ongoing to improve safety but not yet announcing specific changes. School crossing guards serve most Fort Mill schools but aren’t employed by the district. Instead, the come from private Charlotte company, Cross Safe.
Two main reasons people typically give Savage for moving to Fort Mill are the well-regarded schools and quality of life, she said. The incident that claimed the life of a crossing guard came as a shock to both, she said.
“This is something that touches us all,” Savage said.
The mayor called the event unfortunate and grievous, adding that Monday’s resolution is something the town can do about it.
“We certainly grieve with the loss and the hurt of all the students and teachers and family members,” Savage said. “But we also want to be actionable. We want to do the things that we can do to address this.”
