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Parents press board on bus-safety and red-light violations after student death; board says it will work with county
Summary
Following the recent death of student Jackson Mueller, public commenters urged the board to act on drivers running red lights at stopped school buses; board members said they are coordinating with Ocean County engineers and law enforcement to explore education and enforcement options.
During the public-comment portion of the May 20 meeting, residents urged the Brick Township Board of Education to address traffic safety near schools after the recent death of student Jackson Mueller.
A commenter described repeated incidents of drivers ‘‘running the reds’’ while school buses are stopped, saying the bus horn and horn beeps make students rush into danger. ‘‘It literally happens...people are running the reds. The bus... The reds are on and people are running the reds. It makes him get frantic and run out faster into a dangerous situation,’’ the speaker said.
Board members and central administrators acknowledged the concern and said they have been coordinating with Ocean County officials. The board reported that the county engineer has contacted the district and is organizing a multiagency review that includes police, town council and county commissioners to look at engineering, enforcement and education responses. The superintendent said the district will support efforts to gather data and increase education for drivers and students.
Speakers at the meeting also called attention to grief-sensitive school supports; a parent described a grief-sensitive schools program that had been provided to staff shortly before the student’s accident and encouraged districts to adopt such resources.
The board expressed condolences to the Mueller family and said officials will continue to engage county partners, law enforcement and township leaders to explore next steps. No new enforcement policy was voted on during the public session; board members said further coordination and data-gathering will be required before formal policy changes could be proposed.
