From what I understand the Action 2 News reporter intends to go ahead with the story about the unsafe crosswalks in AASD district.  

But, I didn't want to wait, so I sent the final email with the link to the survey, to the AASD administrators and the mayor's office.  

I will save all documentation, emails, audio, and video footage I have from this year of advocacy.  I do not believe AASD or the city intends on improving the visibility of the crosswalk lines or other safety measures at this crosswalk for next school year.  

I will not be there this next school year as my child has moved on, however, if you want to take up the challenge and continue advocating...I would be happy to help.  

I believe the district and city didn't feel they needed to do anything because they knew I was moving on, and they don't believe another parent will take up the advocacy.  I encourage you to prove them wrong.  If I have learned anything positive from this experience, it's that these systems will move and work for you if you KEEP ADVOCATING AND BE PERSISTENT.   I never would have gotten as far as I did if it weren't for constant persistence and holding them accountable for their inaction as well as sharing my information with local news.  Everything I have sent and received I have shared with full transparency.  

Here is the final email I sent to AASD admin, mayor of appleton, the school board, and the reporter: 

'There are 131 signatures on the survey of AASD community stake holders that support improving safety measures at the Northbreeze/Capital Dr crosswalk outside of Ferber Elementary: https://www.change.org/safeschoolzones

Unfortunately, what I have learned from my experience advocating for improved safety measures for AASD children in a school zone crosswalk, is that AASD appears unwilling to work with community stake holders.  Which contrasts with what their website indicates.  I have learned that sadly, student safety in Appleton school zones does not appear to be a priority.  Additionally, community stake holders (parents) that reach out with valid concerns and offer to be a part of the solution are ignored, dismissed, and significantly underutilized.  

It’s quite disappointing and disrespectful on the part of AASD and the city of Appleton to see that a local news reporter who, in April 2023, became involved in exploring why the city and AASD were opposed to improved safety measures for children during school zone times at this crosswalk;  has received more timely communication than I, a parent of an AASD student, has received all school year.

The district missed a wonderful opportunity to work positively with community stake holders and prove their commitment to the community and keeping student’s safety a priority.  The school principal at Ferber and the district administrators had an opportunity to involve concerned parents and brainstorm reasonable solutions to the concerning issue of the unsafe crosswalk.   Which the district knew about and had its own concerns, proven by the 2020 AASD Action Plan shared with me by Superintendent Hartjes.   Instead, AASD and the city appeared to lockdown into a position of silence, inaction, rigidity and giving the same answer repeatedly that did nothing to solve the problem; but in fact, may have violated the Americas with Disabilities Act.

As of this date, it’s clear the school and district plan on doing nothing to improve the safety at this school zone intersection.  That they are not even willing to meet with and hear what solutions the community stake holders have considered as options.   I believe AASD and the school district owe the community stake holders an apology for their lack of action and attention on this matter.   I believe they owe the elementary school children improved safety measures in school zone crosswalks.  During this entire school year, advocating for improved safety measures, AASD and the city appeared to be okay with parents feeling like the district and city didn’t care about their children’s safety, and that is a deplorable thing to knowingly allow parents to suffer; especially when it is avoidable.     

Experience has shown me this email will be met with a nonresponse, other than ‘we’ve received your email’.   Therefore, this email is for documentation purposes, and future support to anyone who wants to work on this project.   I will save all documentation, audio, and video footage I have regarding this project.   

Regards,

Jax Anderson'