The residents of Vista Ridge, Villas of Vista Ridge and Vista Ridge Estates ask the Leander ISD School Board of Trustees and the Leander ISD Transportation Department to continue safe and reliable transportation of Camacho Elementary and Leander Middle School students for 2016-17 school year and beyond.  Residents feel that the designation of Bagdad Road and Vista Ridge Drive/Municipal Drive as a safe crossing is unjust and that the walking condition along Vista Ridge Drive leaves children vulnerable to dangerous predators and hazardous walking conditions.   Crossing Bagdad Road at Vista Ridge Drive/Municipal Drive remains dangerous and potentially deadly for pedestrians to cross, especially young children, even with the assistance of a crossing guard and the recent placement of a stoplight. The following are some of the reasons residents feel this crossing is dangerous: 1.     It is difficult for drivers to view the road properly through the heavily landscaped medians on Vista Ridge/Municipal Drive and it will be difficult for them to view crossing guards and/or children. 2.     Several red light runners are observed at this intersection and this has caused several major accidents in the year the light was installed. 3.     Numerous commercial, construction, and heavy machinery vehicles travel these roads, and at high rates of speed and we believe they will continue despite the crossing guard or any school zone that might be in place.  4.     The bike lanes on Vista Ridge Drive/Municipal Drive are used as right turn lanes leaving kids vulnerable to being struck by cars not paying attention to the road.    For students who must walk Vista Ridge Drive and Marsala Circle face a desolate stretch of road that remains unoccupied and secluded for their morning and afternoon walk or ride.  The following are some reasons why resident feel this walk path leaves students vulnerable to predators and harm: 1.     Students would have nowhere to run and seek help should someone attempt to abduct them and no one would be around to assist them should they injure themselves on their walk.  2.     During the morning hours this stretch of road is dark as night.  There are few and inadequate streetlights to illuminate the walk paths for students.  3.     There are several utility alcoves that provide places for people to hide and do harm to students. 4.     There are several unassisted crossings within the neighborhood which students must attempt to navigate alone, leaving the littlest students to cross without help.    The residents of Vista Ridge, Villas of Vista Ridge and Vista Ridge Estates ask the Leander ISD School Board to join us in our belief that the continuation of bus service for Camacho Elementary and Leander Middle School student is in the best interest and safety of all in the community.  We ask that you reinstate bus service to these communities.