Dear Mayor Keith, I'm out of town and won't be able to make it to coffee https://a24.asmdc.org/sites/a24.asmdc.org/files/pdf/Berman-Coffee_MenloPark_FlyerV4.pdf > with State Assemblymember Marc Berman tomorrow morning, but I wanted to make you aware of a state bill that could have negative transportation impacts for our community. SB-328 would mandate that middle schools and high schools start no earlier than 8:30am: https://leginfo.legislature . ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB328. This bill is heading to the State Assembly (it has already passed the State Senate) and could greatly affect school transportation (and traffic in Menlo Park in general) in the coming years. While the intent of the bill makes sense (to allow kids to sleep more, come to school better rested, etc.), it doesn't take into consideration the flexibility that congested communities like ours need when developing bell schedules. It appears that Safe Routes to School concerns were not considered in the development of this bill. If this bill passes as is, schools would have their hands tied when trying to stagger starts and avoid having school traffic converge with work rush hour traffic (much of which occurs after 8:30am). The timing of this is immediate. It is my understanding that the bill will likely be heard in the Assembly on Aug 23, and then Appropriations around Sep 1. Along with others concerned about Safe Routes (Palo Alto Safe Routes Champion, Penny Ellson, alerted me to this bill), we would like to see a delay in moving this legislation forward until Safe Routes leaders and/or professional traffic engineers understand how traffic safety impacts might be averted. I would greatly appreciate it if you could pass on these concerns to Assemblymember Berman when you meet tomorrow. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jen -- *Jen Wolosin* Parents for Safe Routes www.parents4saferoutes.org jenwolosin_at_(domainremoved)415.710.5838 Received on Mon Aug 14 2017 - 11:30:51 PDT
