The residents of Decatur, Illinois hereby petition the City Council of and Decatur Public Schools District #61 Board to consider, collaborate on, and implement the changes below to improve safety for our students as well as to honor the memory of six year old, Noah Edwards, who was tragically killed in April of 2025 when hit by car while crossing the road to get to his bus stop.

If you have comments critical of Noah's parents, post them elsewhere, or better yet keep them to yourself!

1.) Gather data to drive decisions regarding bus stops being added on both sides of busy roads; add said stops starting with highest risk roads. Buses often drive back down the same road or a block away, where a student could board without the risk of having to cross a busy road. 

2.) Use this same data to add signs to increase awareness for drivers that they are in an area where children will be gathered to board or exit a bus. 

3.) Launch a PSA campaign to social media, local television news, radio, and newspapers informing Decatur drivers of the staggered start times and how it impacts the window of time students are boarding and exiting busses (6:30 to 9 am, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm for preschool students, and 1:30 to 4 pm). Decatur drivers without children in the district are likely unaware.

Many thanks to you for signing this petition supporting student safety!