05/14/2026
From James Larsen:
As a former member of the Citizens’ Facilities Advisory Committee for Leander Independent School District, I am deeply concerned by the decision to eliminate bus service for certain families assigned to Hisle Elementary School.
After reviewing the actual walking and biking conditions along Bagdad Road and the surrounding intersections, I do not believe the district’s current analysis adequately reflects the real-world safety concerns facing elementary-age children.
The district appears to rely heavily on the existence of sidewalks, traffic signals, and “controlled crossings” to conclude that these routes no longer qualify as hazardous. But simply installing traffic lights does not automatically create a reasonably safe route for young children traveling on foot, scooters, or bicycles.
The reality is:
Bagdad Road traffic routinely travels at speeds of 45+ mph, often significantly faster during non-congested periods.
The roadway carries substantial construction traffic, including dump trucks, cement trucks, and other heavy vehicles serving the rapidly expanding developments near Hisle.
Several intersections involve wide turning lanes, high-speed turning movements, and limited physical separation between children and traffic.
Portions of the pedestrian route leave little margin for error for younger children navigating bicycles or scooters near fast-moving vehicles.
Parents who instead choose to drive their children to school will likely worsen already severe congestion and delays around campus.
Elementary-age students should not be evaluated under the same assumptions as adults. A route that may technically satisfy minimum infrastructure criteria on paper can still present significant practical safety concerns for young children in real-world conditions.
I strongly urge the Board and district leadership to reevaluate these routes using a practical child-safety perspective before a preventable tragedy occurs.
Hay tip to concerned residents for sharing these photos and voicing their concerns.
Families who share these concerns should continue documenting conditions and respectfully contacting the Board at:[email protected]
