Southside High junior urges district to install marked crosswalk at Fireman's Field entrance

Kate Kolisch, a junior at Southside High School, told the Rockville Centre Board of Education on May 29 that students and staff who use the Fireman's Field entrance lack a clearly designated crosswalk or crossing attendant between the security booth and Southside's main entrance.

"Out of the approximately a thousand students at Southside ... about 200 people, including students, enter the school from Fireman's Field," Kolisch said. "There is no designated crosswalk or area or someone present to help cross the paved area between the security booth and Southside's main entrance." She described multiple "close calls and nerve wracking situations" at morning drop-off and during evening events and suggested a painted crosswalk or marked stanchions to alert drivers.

Kolisch offered to collect signatures from students, faculty and staff to expedite the request and said the change could be "a very simple way to help increase the safety of all." The board took her comments during the public-statement portion of the meeting; the transcript does not record an immediate decision or formal action in response.

Why it matters: the request concerns pedestrian safety for students, employees and visitors entering campus through a commonly used entrance. A simple marked crossing or signage is a low-cost option often used to reduce driver-pedestrian conflicts.

Next steps: staff or board members may refer the suggestion to facilities or safety staff for evaluation and any required traffic or village approvals; Kolisch offered to provide signatures representing student and staff support to assist the district evaluation.