The Grapevine August 2013, Volume 7, Issue 8
The Grapevine
Official Publication of Sonoma Homeowners Association
School Crossing Safety Concerns
At last year’s Annual HOA meeting, parents expressed concerns about their children walking to and from Blackland Prairie and/or Ridgeview and the hazards posed at the intersection of via Sonoma and Forest Creek Drive. I contacted the CORR and RRISD to see what safety measures could be put in place to ensure the safety of our children. A whole school year has gone by; RRISD did not look into the matter as promised and will not do an assessment until after the new school year has begun. It is unlikely that the CORR will be able to create another School Zone due to regulations and the close proximity to the existing one just up the street, BUT, RRISD can and should place a crossing guard at this very busy intersection. After the meeting I made it a point to walk that way one afternoon to observe the car and pedestrian traffic and was really shocked by what I saw. Cars, school buses and even children were turning onto and off of via Sonoma. The district “rationale” is that walkers will travel up to Lake Forest Blvd. or down to Rusk Rd., cross at the dually protected intersections and then back track to Paradise Ridge or Piper Copyright © 2013 Peel, Inc.
Sonoma. On paper this sounds all well and good but it is not realistic. One afternoon I witnessed a young boy fall off his skateboard while crossing through this busy Forest Creek intersection. Thankfully drivers were paying attention but you could tell he knew the jeopardy he was in because he was scurrying to get himself up. I am urging all residents, whether or not you have students walking to either of these schools, to please contact Ramiro Flores, Deputy Superintendent at Ramiro_flores@roundrockisd. org, Michelle Faust, Director, Safety and Risk Management at michelle_faust@roundrockisd.org and John Knight (he is in charge of crossing guards) at john_knight@roundrockisd.org and urge them to place a crossing guard at the intersection of via Sonoma and Forest Creek. Please take a few short moments to voice your concerns regarding this issue. Let’s all come together to ensure the safety of our young school children. Regards, Donna Kohn The Grapevine - August 2013
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