Parents press Downingtown board for crosswalk and crossing guard after near misses at Beaver Creek Elementary

Two community members urged the board to act quickly to improve pedestrian safety at Beaver Creek Elementary, citing near misses and a December incident in which a fifth grader was struck while walking to school.

Chrissy McConnell told the board she has observed close calls outside Beaver Creek and asked the district to "put somebody at the corner" for morning and afternoon shifts because students who live within the walk zone are not offered bus transportation. "I watched a kid almost get hit by a car... she just barely missed him," McConnell said, arguing that short‑term adult supervision is needed while the borough and district complete traffic studies.

Laura Osborne said a traffic classifier placed in front of the school indicated vehicles traveling close to 35 mph — well above the 15 mph school‑zone limit — and described a December collision where a student was struck. "Put simply, we are asking our children to walk one and a half football fields past the entrance of their school and then walk another one and a half football fields back to the front doors," she said, noting the lack of a nearby crosswalk where students naturally cross midblock.

Board members acknowledged the concern, noted ongoing coordination with the borough and police chief, and said short‑term measures (placing a staff member on the sidewalk near the intersection) are being considered while longer traffic studies proceed. No formal board action or vote was recorded on the request during the meeting.

The matter was presented during public comment; the board added it to the district's short‑term considerations and indicated staff will follow up with the borough and police.