On Thursday, parents and community members picked Eye Primary School to stage their protest. They marched to the city council’s decision to abolish the city’s only school crossing guard, Lisa Bryan, who had worked more than 26 years fine-tuning her safety net for foster children. Bryan is one of four crossing workers who will be laid off. This decision follows budget reductions imposed by the Peterborough City Council for the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year.
In November, the council voted to cut school crossing patrols at Eye Primary and 3 others schools. These new routes and transportation modes have created many acute safety fears among parents. They argue that Bryan’s presence on the road is crucial to ensuring the safety of children during busy school hours.
Katie Berry, a parent of a student at Eye Primary, expressed her concerns. She emphasized a road outside the school had become dangerous.
“The amount of accidents and near misses I’ve seen – it’s almost daily. It’s a complete rat-run,” – Katie Berry.
Councillor Angus Ellis, cabinet member for environment and transport, admitted the unpopular stance taken by the council was a tough sell. He highlighted that honoring a balanced budget requires difficult decisions. Equally important was his realization of the literal obstacles that parents and children face, whether walking or biking, to get their child to school.
“It is one of a number of difficult decisions councillors have had to make to be able to balance the budget,” – Angus Ellis.
This protest aimed to bring attention to parent’s fears of sending their children into greater danger without crossing guards. Eye Conservative councillor Steve Allen, who joined the protest, described the road as “a complete nightmare.” His comments highlight the community’s feeling of increased risk on stretch long hailed as a ‘safe route’ often traveled by school kids.
Bryan voiced her dismay at the council’s budget cuts. Her heart continues to be with the children she’s been able to serve for the past 40 years.
“There’s not a lot I can do; I’ve just got to take it on the chin; I just feel sorry for the children and the parents,” – Lisa Bryan.
Bryan shared her frustrations as she navigated the extreme traffic behavior on the ground. She noted how drivers are reluctant to yield, even in instances where she is immediately visible.
“The traffic doesn’t stop for me so what makes them think it will stop for parents, whether there is a zebra crossing or not?” – Lisa Bryan.
Parents are continuing to rally support for Bryan and oppose their local council’s decision. They care enough to fight for the safety measures their children deserve. They feel that without proper monitoring at school crossings, the chances of being hit will eventually increase significantly.
