Intersection assistance near for OMSD
MONTCLAIR - The Ontario-Montclair School District and the two cities it encompasses are in the process of hiring a crossing guard for a busy intersection in front of an elementary school.
District residents had asked that a crossing guard be stationed at Buena Vista Arts-integrated Magnet School on the southwest corner of San Bernardino Street and Benson Avenue in Montclair.
"I've had numerous requests with issues of safety and number of cars going through the intersection at the same time kids are crossing," Montclair City Engineer Mike Hudson said.
District residents had asked that a crossing guard be stationed at Buena Vista Arts-integrated Magnet School on the southwest corner of San Bernardino Street and Benson Avenue in Montclair.
"I've had numerous requests with issues of safety and number of cars going through the intersection at the same time kids are crossing," Montclair City Engineer Mike Hudson said.
Ontario city staffers proposed a cooperative agreement between Montclair and Ontario as well as the school district to jointly fund the crossing guard.
What makes this case unique is that the boundary separating Montclair and Ontario is along Benson. Typically, if a school is located in Montclair, but the students are coming from Ontario, Ontario would fund the crossing guard, Hudson said.
The three agencies will each pay $3,500 per year. The agreement has no end date, but any of the three agencies can opt out by giving a 60-day notice.
Montclair City Council members approved the agreement at their Nov. 1 meeting. OMSD board members and Ontario officials are expected to review and approve the documents at a later date.
Although it has taken two years to happen, Buena Vista parent Jennifer Swanek said she is happy to know the intersection will soon have a guard.
"I'm thrilled that this is going to happen," said Swanek, who approached both city councils in 2009 about the need for the guard. "But knowing those dangers have existed for two years is scary, but I'm just thankful we're finally getting a guard soon."
Since Ontario proposed the agreement, it will be responsible for hiring the guard. Deputy City Manager Al Boling said the city will work toward providing the guard once the agreements are finalized.
Boling could not provide a start date for the guard, because "it will depend on the availability of staff from the contract service provider (All Cities Management Inc.)."
Los Angeles-based All Cities Management also provides crossing guards for Montclair.
What makes this case unique is that the boundary separating Montclair and Ontario is along Benson. Typically, if a school is located in Montclair, but the students are coming from Ontario, Ontario would fund the crossing guard, Hudson said.
The three agencies will each pay $3,500 per year. The agreement has no end date, but any of the three agencies can opt out by giving a 60-day notice.
Montclair City Council members approved the agreement at their Nov. 1 meeting. OMSD board members and Ontario officials are expected to review and approve the documents at a later date.
Although it has taken two years to happen, Buena Vista parent Jennifer Swanek said she is happy to know the intersection will soon have a guard.
"I'm thrilled that this is going to happen," said Swanek, who approached both city councils in 2009 about the need for the guard. "But knowing those dangers have existed for two years is scary, but I'm just thankful we're finally getting a guard soon."
Since Ontario proposed the agreement, it will be responsible for hiring the guard. Deputy City Manager Al Boling said the city will work toward providing the guard once the agreements are finalized.
Boling could not provide a start date for the guard, because "it will depend on the availability of staff from the contract service provider (All Cities Management Inc.)."
Los Angeles-based All Cities Management also provides crossing guards for Montclair.
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