To: Brentwood Union Free School District Board of Education,

We, the undersigned, the parents, guardians, and concerned residents of Brentwood NY, are writing to urgently request your immediate attention and action regarding the critical need for bus transportation for our children attending Brentwood High School Freshman Campus (Brentwood Freshman Center). Currently, students have no bus transportation for those living within the southern border of Suffolk Ave, western border of Eisenhower Ave, northern border of Pilgrim Road and eastern border of Park Ave. This area on the northern border along Crooked Hill Road and Wicks Road is an area of high traffic and safety risks for students.

The current transportation situation, exacerbated by escalating traffic conditions, frequent accidents, and growing safety hazards, poses an unacceptable risk to the well-being of our students. In 2022, Long Island led the state in the number of deaths, with 164 fatalities in Suffolk County alone. Our community has experienced a significant increase in vehicular traffic on these routes leading to and from our schools, particularly during peak drop-off and pick-up times. This heightened congestion not only leads to delays but creates an increase in late student arrivals for classes and late departures. Even more distressing is the critical rise in traffic incidents and near-misses even with designated crossing guards at the intersection on Crooked Hill Road and Leahy Street. With a multitude of street crossing locations within this area, this places our children at risk for injury and creates a drastic safety hazard for student walkers.

The existing infrastructure around our schools is struggling to cope with the volume of vehicles, creating a chaotic, stressful and unsafe environment for young pedestrians and cyclists. Our community of students have experienced fatal tragedies as recently as November 2024, where a pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle travelling east on Suffolk Ave just about 200 feet from a student bus stop. Suffolk County alone has reported over 42, 285 crashes reported in 2019. Our community continues to lead New York State in the number of traffic deaths in 2024, and in proportion of deaths by population size. Furthermore, we are deeply troubled by the documented increase in accidents and dangerous driving behaviors witnessed on these routes.

The heavy traffic is a constant reminder that traffic is a clear and present danger that our children are exposed to daily. The lack of adequate pedestrian crossings, crossing guards in key areas, and safe pathways further compounds these risks, leaving our children vulnerable.

The safety and security of our children must be a paramount concern for the district. Without reliable and safe bus transportation, many students are forced to navigate these hazardous conditions, whether on foot, by bicycle, or being dropped off in high-traffic zones. This situation is not only physically dangerous but also contributes to significant stress and anxiety for students and their families. Providing comprehensive busing would significantly mitigate these dangers by reducing the number of children exposed to direct traffic, easing congestion around schools, and ensuring supervised transit for all eligible students.

We respectfully urge the Brentwood Union Free School Board of Education to take the following actions:

1. Re-evaluate and expand bus transportation routes and eligibility criteria to encompass all areas where traffic congestion and safety hazards pose a significant risk to students.
2. Increase the number of operational school buses to ensure adequate capacity and reduce travel times.
3. Implement additional safety measures around school zones, such as increased traffic calming initiatives, improved signage, and dedicated crossing guards at critical intersections.
4. Prioritize the safety and well-being of our children by allocating the necessary resources and funds to address this urgent transportation crisis.
    

We believe that investing in safe and efficient bus transportation is a fundamental responsibility that will protect our children, improve their attendance, punctuality, and alleviate the burden on parents. We eagerly anticipate your prompt and positive response to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

The Concerned Parents, Guardians, and Residents of Brentwood NY