I would like to review the steps that have been taken to assist the Stratford families affected by the loss of transportation in the area east of Nassau Boulevard. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Village Board and administration, Traffic Commission, Police Department, POAs, parents, members of the school administration, and county and state officials, all of whom have been working to provide a reasonable solution to this matter. While we all agree that the safety of the students is paramount, we also recognize that there are time, cost and other factors to consider when more than one governmental entity is involved.

As you know, the School District formed a committee to review its transportation policy back in 2008. In part, this issue was brought to our attention by parents within the District who were questioning the fairness and application of our transportation policy in spring 2008.

After discussing it at two work sessions, and with the recommendation from administration and the advice of legal counsel, a committee was appointed by the Board of Education in the fall of 2008. The committee consisted of representatives from the POAs, Inspector Jackson of the Police Department, and the School District. The Department of Public Works also supplied vital maps and diagrams for the committee to work with.

The committee reviewed our existing policy and its application to students attending both public and nonpublic schools. After careful consideration, the committee concluded that our transportation policy required revision in order to fully comply with New York State law. The transportation committee also recommended that the Board of Education establish three child safety zones within the district, in accordance with the State’s only permissible exception to its strict distance criteria. After public discussion, the Board of Education voted unanimously in July 2009 for the policy revision and the establishment of the child safety zones recommended by the committee and Superintendent.

As the new school year approached and bus routes were reviewed for compliance with distance criteria, it arose that a number of residences just east of Nassau Boulevard were not eligible for busing to Stratford School, although they had received a bus in prior years. In September, letters to the affected families were hand delivered. Our head of transportation personally communicated with as many of the parents as possible prior to the start of school. While the School District truly regrets the timing and manner in which the families were notified, the fact remains that, in accordance with district policy, they reside within the “walker zone” for Stratford School. The Superintendent, using the same criteria previously used by the transportation committee to evaluate the intersections in the Hemlock, Homestead and Stewart School zones, determined that the intersection of Nassau Boulevard and Stratford Avenue did not qualify as a child safety zone and, therefore, could not recommend such to the Board of Education.

Over the past few months, the matter of “safe passage across Nassau Boulevard” has been discussed not only at Board of Education meetings, but also at meetings of the Estates POA, the Village Traffic Commission and Village Board of Trustees. While the Village has authority to implement safety measures such as signage or a crossing guard, because Nassau Boulevard is a county road, Nassau County also has some jurisdiction over the installation of traffic devices. The School District, recognizing this situation, promptly notified the County Executive and the County Department of Public Works Commissioner to apprise them of the concerns about safety and to request that crosswalks be painted at all the corners, that “No Turn on Red” signs be installed at each corner, and that “Walk/ Don’t Walk” signs with audible or visible signals be installed at the crossing. The County has acknowledged our request for assistance, and our elected officials at the county and state levels have also added their voices to this request after we contacted them for support. To this end, I would like to thank State Senator Hannon and Nassau County Legislator Vincent Muscarella for their interest in making the intersection of Nassau Boulevard and Stratford Avenue safer with their support for count-down pedestrian devices. We have received a response from County Executive Suozzi indicating his attention to the matter as well.

We would also like to thank the Village for its acknowledgement of the situation and its response by the extension of the timer on the change of the light.

The district has also implemented safety programs in both Stratford and Stewart Schools to benefit all of our children and will continue with this initiative throughout the school year.

The District has for the last two months communicated with the Village administration, Village Trustees and the Nassau County Executive. In addition, I as President have had several conversations with the School Liaison from the Village Board, Larry Quinn, and three other Village Trustees as well as Bob Schoelle. I have also spoken with Vincent Muscarella’s office, State Senator Hannon’s office and Nassau County Police Department. In addition to the several verbal conversations, written information was forward to both the Village Administrator and Senator Hannon’s Office regarding the question of a child safety zone in October.

New York State law and Department of Transportation regulations require the Board of Education to evaluate the circumstances and determine if exceptions apply. We have done that. We have communicated this to not only the residents involved but have done so with all other agencies involved as we pursue actions we believe will improve safety. We believe all children should have safe access to school whether they qualify for a bus or not.

We will continue to follow up on this matter. It is my sincere hope that all governmental agencies continue to support the safe passage of the children involved by implementing all actions within the control of each governmental agency. We know that both boards-the School District and the Village— hold the safety of children in the highest regard, and we pledge to continue to work together on this matter.