As a Mother of 3 small children, one a student in the School District of Lee County, I currently refuse to let my child take the bus from our neighborhood due to the current unsafe location of our school bus stop. Many of my neighbors share this sentiment, but not all families in our community have the luxury of choice. They rely on our highly unsafe bus stop for their children to get to school, concerned for their safety daily. It is only a matter of when, not if, this bus stop results in an unimaginable tragedy.

Our community's school bus stop is currently located at the entrance to our community, Marina Bay, on Treeline Avenue - an area seeing a vast increase  in heavy traffic that poses significant risks for our children. We have seen dramatic increases in speeding, congestion, distracted driving, wrecks and fatalities located at the very entrance in which our children wait for the School Bus. We are imploring the School Board to make an exemption to their policy stating:

 "Students living within private gated residential developments or on private roads shall be required to use a bus stop on a public road near their developments. Bus stops may be established inside a 'gated community' if it is determined by the Transportation Department that there are no safe locations close to the entrance or exit of such 'gated community' to establish a safe school bus stop."

We urge them to agree that it is an unsafe location and move it within our community gates where there are multiple safer locations we could choose from.

Ideally, we would like it placed at our clubhouse where there is ample space for a bus to maneuver; however, we are open and willing to compromise on finding another safe and agreeable location away from the main thoroughfare. 

We believe that relocating the school bus stop will not only ensure safety but will also allow more parents who currently refuse this service due to safety concerns - like myself - to be able to utilize the bussing system; allowing them equal access without fear.

This petition isn't just about convenience; it's about protecting Fort Myers' future – its children. Please join us in urging the School Board for immediate action before any tragedy strikes. Sign this petition today!