Cincinnati Public Schools plans a news conference following an increasing number of kids who have been hit by vehicles while walking to school, especially near Western Hills University High School.
Two more children suffered injuries on the way to school Thursday morning. Both were hit in a crosswalk. The drivers have been citied. In a news release, the City of Cincinnati says it has "stepped up pedestrian safety enforcement and determent due to situtations like this."
CPS Spokeswoman Lauren Worley says the news conference will "update actions to promote student safety" and "expand the use of crossing guards."
She says Cincinnati employs 94 crossing guards but CPS pays their salaries at a cost of $750,000. School Board Member Mike Moroski says he would like to city to pay part of the cost enabling the district to have crossing guards at all high schools, something Ohio doesn't require.
He tweeted this Friday:
CPS plans to add 3 crossing guards near Dater High School and Western Hills High School, effective January 7. Those guards will be added at the intersections of Ferguson Road and Ferguson Place, Ferguson Road and Prosperity Place, and Glenway Avenue and Sidney Road.
— Mike Moroski (@mike_moroski) December 21, 2018
On Thursday the district says a 14-year-old boy was crossing at Ferguson and Prosperity when he was hit by a car. He was taken to the hospital for surgery. In a separate incident, a sixth grader from Covedale Elementary School was also hit by a car and transported to the hospital.
The accidents come less than a week after 12-year-old Kenya Austin was hit on Ferguson Ave. She suffered a broken leg.
CPS says thirteen students have been hit by cars while walking to school since September.
