Teacher urges three‑way stop and adult crossing guard at busy Carlton Oaks intersection

A fifth‑grade teacher and safety‑patrol advisor at Carlton Oaks Elementary told the council that the intersection at DeVos Drive, Wethersfield and the Carlton Oaks parking lot is a safety hazard and urged installation of a three‑way stop and adult crossing assistance.

Jennifer LaCroce, who identified herself as a Santee resident, a fifth‑grade teacher and the school’s safety patrol advisor, described the intersection layout and told the council students age 10–12 are expected to direct traffic with a single teacher during dismissals. “This lane is super special because it actually doesn't stop when the stop signs are out,” LaCroce said, describing conflicts between vehicles and student patrols and saying children have been yelled at and at times have cried after incidents. She asked the council to “consider a 3 way stop at this intersection as well as a designated employee to direct traffic and cross our students and families safely.”

Vice Mayor asked staff to gather additional information and to bring the matter back for council consideration. The transcript records the vice mayor saying, “Can we get some more information on that, just look into that for us and bring it back up.”

Why this matters: The request involves the safety of elementary school students during daily arrival and dismissal and would require cross‑departmental staff review and potential infrastructure or staffing commitments.

Details and next steps: Staff agreed to review the intersection, sightlines and potential mitigation options — such as a three‑way stop, additional signage, crosswalk treatments or assignment of an adult crossing guard — and to return to council with recommendations.