Friday, April 21, 2000
School mourns teachers' deaths
Counselors back 2nd day
BY Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WARSAW — When two popular first-year teachers at Gallatin County Upper Elementary School died in a fiery car wreck Wednesday, the school system immediately put its crisis plan into action.
Parents of the teachers' pupils were called, so they could be with their children Wednesday afternoon, when the deaths of special education teacher Christina Marrero and fourth-grade teacher Rachel M. McCalla were announced.
Ministers in the rural Ohio River community of 1,275 also were summoned to the school to offer comfort as teachers throughout the building simultaneously read a brief letter from Principal Deb Brown, informing pupils of the deaths.
“I will never forget the sound of hearing 250 people all cry at the same time,” said Jim Palm, superintendent of Gallatin County Schools.
On Thursday, 10 extra counselors and ministers remained at the close-knit school, Mr. Palm said. The district also received permission from the state to temporarily suspend state-required testing until early next week.
“We didn't think the children would be able to focus,” Mr. Palm said.
Mrs. Marrero, 26, of Florence, and Ms. McCalla, 23, of Erlanger, were friends who often rode together to work, Mr. Palm said.
“They really loved the kids, and were the kind of teacher you'd want your child to be with,” the superintendent said.
The two died just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, as they tried to make a left turn onto U.S. 42 from westbound Ky. 14, Boone County police said. A dump truck traveling north on U.S. 42 struck the women's vehicle, knocking it against a concrete bridge support on northbound U.S. 42.
The driver of the dump truck, whose name was not released, was not hurt. The investigation is continuing, but no charges have been filed.
Initially, school staff thought the teachers were stuck in the traffic tie-up resulting from the accident. Other teachers learned that the two were involved in the fatal wreck just before lunch, when police came to break the news.
“It was pretty solemn when the kids were told,” said Susan Fields, mother of a fifth-grade student. “Once the news sank in, the classroom was silent, except for the crying.”
After the announcement, Terry Combs Caldwell, a school volunteer and parent, said she walked up and down the hallway with her son, Zach, passing out tissues.
The day after the accident, the mood inside the school remained subdued, Mrs. Caldwell said.
“The teachers are trying to be strong for the students, and it's hurting them,” she said. “You can see it in their faces.”
Mrs. Fields described the two teachers as “well-liked and never without a smile.”
At the accident scene Thursday, six wooden, flower-covered crosses had been erected. Among the items left there: a teddy bear with an embroidered heart, a red Hot Wheels convertible, and photos and notes.
“You were the best teacher ever in the whole world,” Brittany Richardson had written on notebook paper. “We will miss you dearly.”
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