Changes coming to Palatine street where school worker killed

A safer Smith Street crossing is in the works near Palatine's Sundling Junior High.

Palatine Elementary District 15 officials are working with the village and park district to better the crossing that's used by many school staff members -- the same spot where a bus aide died last year.

By August, employees will have to park in a specific spot across the street and take a crosswalk to the school, said Jean Sophie, a district assistant superintendent.

Additionally, there will be two flashing lights installed at the crosswalk, which will be activated when someone crosses the street, she said.

In October 2006, 76-year-old Dorothy Huber, a school bus aide for more than 14 years, was killed while crossing Smith Street.

Early on a weekday morning, she was walking across the street to start work and was hit by a car. She'd parked in a lot across the street and was walking to the school's transportation department, right next to Sundling.

"We are just trying to make bus drivers feel safe and acknowledge the fact we did have a staff member die there," Sophie said.

Employees will now park in the south lot at Hamilton Park, which necessitates them taking a crosswalk in that area. In the past, they had parked in other locations along Smith Street.

Bus drivers will also get new safety vests, Sophie said.

Besides safety for the district workers, the new measures will also help when people want to cross the street for events happening at the junior high.