After crossing-guard death, Poughkeepsie residents press board for more school busing as district rolls out BusRite app

A stream of parents and residents urged the Poughkeepsie City School District Board of Education on Oct. 1 to expand transportation and safety protections for children after a crossing guard was fatally struck outside Smith Elementary last week.

Noreen Clayton told the board she had first asked on Sept. 17 for bus transportation for her granddaughter, then described the Sept. 29 collision at the arterial that killed the crossing guard. "It took someone dying to shed a spotlight on the dangers of the arterial," Clayton said, urging that Smith students be bused rather than walk alongside high-speed traffic.

Valeria Jones pressed the board for accountability and immediate measures: "Your negligence led to the preventable loss of James Montanani Nino," she told members, and called for protective barriers, more crossing guards and a…