There is a School Traffic Safety Team, consisting of representatives of
Traffic Engineering, Health, Police, Safe Community Coalition, the
School District, and PBMVC (that would be me.) Mostly we have been
working on traffic issues around school and working to improve pick-up
and drop-off behavior of parents. Obviously, that is what would have
helped in this situation.
But we have also contacted the Madison School Board, the administration,
principals, and other city alders about the need for a larger Safe
Routes to School program. Unfortunately, the school district just
doesn't see it as a priority when they have so many other issues. But
they definitely are starting to wake up to the fact that city actions -
specifically developments and traffic engineering, as well as police
attention to traffic concerns - affect their schools and the safety of
their staff and students. There is interest in working together, but no
one wants to spend any money or time, because both are in short supply.
I am asking for some rather small items in the 2008 city budget. One of
them is that I would like to see the school walk route maps updated.
This is important, because they are the base information for where kids
are supposed to be walking; where we have to concentrate safety efforts;
and the maps can point out areas where there are problems. But right
now, they can only be read by a traffic engineer, and I'm not sure they
can really understand them.
The Council is considering the 2008 budget in November, but the Mayor is
putting together his version now. I would suggest writing other alders,
as well as the Mayor, to say that Safe Routes to School should be
included. Contact the school board, Superintendent Rainwater, your kids
teachers and principals, and any local community groups and start
agitating. There are people out there trying to fix these programs, but
we need everyone's voice to lend support so we can get funding.
Thanks all, for the concern.
-- Robbie
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