Casey Elementary is a Title I school in South Austin that serves a diverse community of families and hosts a growing dual-language program. As the school prepares for significant growth, the safety of students and families navigating the surrounding streets has become a critical concern.

The Growing Safety Crisis

The environment around Casey Elementary is currently characterized by traffic congestion and safety hazards during morning dropoff and afternoon pickup that put the community at risk. Several factors are converging to make immediate infrastructure reform a necessity:

• Projected Enrollment Growth: Next school year, the school is expected to absorb more than 200 additional students due to the closure of nearby campuses, including an expansion of its dual language program.
• Reduced Busing Eligibility: A recent update to AISD policy means students living within two miles of the school are no longer eligible for bus service.
• Increased Foot and Bike Traffic: These changes will result in a significant influx of children walking or biking to school and more parents driving for drop-off, further straining Slaughter Lane and Texas Oaks South.
• Perilous Transit Routes: Families currently face daunting challenges crossing Slaughter Lane and navigating Texas Oaks Drive, where the lack of dedicated bike lanes and inadequate traffic measures create a "bottleneck" during school hours.

Key Demands for Infrastructure Reform

To ensure a safer and healthier future for the children of South Austin, the following five initiatives must be prioritized by the City Council and relevant authorities:

• Sidewalk and Bike Path Expansion: Expand the existing sidewalk along Texas Oaks from Slaughter Lane to the school entrance. This should utilize land from the adjacent field to create a wide, dedicated bike path and sidewalk.
• Professional Crossing Guards: Assign a crossing guard to the school entrance crosswalk. Currently, idling vehicles and "zipper pattern" merging create dangerous sightline obstructions for children.
• School Zone Compliance: Review and update school zone markings along Slaughter Lane and Texas Oaks Drive to ensure the corridor is in full compliance with safety standards.
• Dedicated Bike Lanes: Implement bicycle lanes along Texas Oaks Drive to calm traffic and reduce the chaos of peak school hours. 
• Proactive Growth Planning: Address the exponential growth in local traffic by building infrastructure now, rather than reacting after accidents occur.

The absence of proper infrastructure not only endangers children but also causes traffic backups within the neighborhood, and limits the promotion of active, healthy lifestyles. By investing in these safety measures, the city can foster a more secure environment for all road users and demonstrate that the well-being of this community is a priority. Please sign this petition to help us show City Council members the concern from our local community.