Veteran Batavia teacher dies at school

A Spanish teacher collapsed and died Tuesday at a Batavia elementary school, leaving its faculty and staff grief-stricken on the eve of a new school year.

Laura Walters, a veteran employee of District 101, was found by a colleague about 4:30 p.m. inside Hoover-Wood Elementary School, 1640 Wagner Road, according to Superintendent Jack Barshinger.

Emergency crews responded but were unable to revive Walters, who had attended a teacher workshop in preparation for the start of classes today.

District officials declined to say where Walters was when she collapsed. Her age and address also were unavailable late Tuesday.

Barshinger said Walters was married and has one child. She had worked in the district about 15 years at Rotolo Middle School and, most recently, as a Spanish teacher at Hoover-Wood.

The superintendent said counselors, social workers and psychologists are being brought in to help students and staff deal with the loss.

"From the stories that faculty were sharing this evening, you can tell (Walters) was very much well-liked and an asset to our teaching staff," Barshinger said. "Our thoughts and prayers right now are with her family."

Barshinger said school will start today, as scheduled.

Police declined to provide further information on the death late Tuesday.