Special Electors Meeting Coming Soon?

On May 17th, the DANE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE completed a second review of the potential Unusually Hazardous Transportation issues for the Wyndham Hills subdivision as well as the Tallgrass subdivision.

The review considered the following concerns:

1) The speed of the traffic on Hwy 19
2) Lack of barriers to protect vehicles from entering onto the bike path.
3) Lack of barriers to protect students on the bike path from large storm water retention ponds
4) Dangerous traffic crossing at Hwy 19 and Hwy
5) Inadequate security lighting along the bike path.

"After completing my on-site observations, compiling the above data, and reviewing Deputy. Wiessinger’s reports, I concur that the area designated at the “Walk Area less than 2 miles” does not meet criteria set forth as an unusually hazardous transportation area for middle school-aged students.

It should be noted that the Sun Prairie Area School District may elect to employ additional safety measures for these walking routes should they choose to. While the above determination that these areas do not meet unusually hazardous criteria, the SPASD could consider deploying a crossing guard at the intersection of Sth 19 and Cth C (Grand Ave.). While there currently is not enough student pedestrian traffic to warrant a crossing guard, should the busing availability change for the Wyndham Hills subdivision, the number of students walking may increase and further justify a crossing guard. Again, this is only a potential suggestion for the SPASD to consider."

The report also notes that, " Oxford Place Crosswalk- according to Deputy Wiessinger, SPASD had previously agreed to have a properly marked crosswalk installed on Oxford Place at Sth 19. This crosswalk still has not been installed, and would need to be as indicated previously for this to considered not unusually hazardous. "
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In an e-mail to DDA Phil Frei on May 10, the parent group asked, "Phil.... Do you know if we also need another 100 signatures to call for a special meeting of the electors or will the first petition work? "

Frei responded:

From: Phil Frei [mailto:pfrei@spasd.k12.wi.us]
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 8:29 AM
RE: tax increase

I would think you need another petition that clearly states that you want a special meeting of the electors t discuss bussing. That way nobody could say that the petition was for something else. You would wait on this until we hear from Dane County sheriff, right?

On June 2nd, Frei added:

We have received the report, I will have Rhonda forward it to you. FYI, we will be giving this report to the SB on June 14. We will also be sending a letter to all the families in Wyndham Hills and the Tall Grass area notifying them of the meeting
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So...it looks like the school board will discuss the Sheriff's report at their June 14 meeting. Any action regarding busing changes of this nature can ONLY be decided by calling a Special Electors Meeting...it looks like we're headed in that direction.

Reducing the busing limit from 2 miles to 1.5 miles is estimated to add an additional $292,000 to the district budget. E-mails from Frei relating to this suggest the cost would be about 18 cents on a $250,000 home.