Ask Mr. Answer Person about Tuesday's school cancellation

Meghan e-mails Mr. Answer Person: "Today (April 19th) Decorah schools dismissed at 11:30 a.m. due to inclement weather.  My son was told when he arrived at his bus that it would not be traveling on gravel roads.  Who decides this and how did they inform parents of the change to the route?  Luckily for my son, I was waiting to pick him up.  What about folks who don't have that flexibility?  I understand that the roads are poor and safety is a concern.  I attended Decorah Schools and lived on a hill the bus driver was none too fond of and there were a few mornings in which the bus garage called to tell us he was not coming down the hill to get us, but never was I told I couldn't get a ride home once at school. "

Mr. Answer Person says: "Here is the response from the Decorah School District--

Neither Superintendent Mike Haluska nor Transportation Director Jim Samuelson is aware of an announcement that buses would not be traveling on gravel roads.  It's quite obvious that buses did run on gravel roads and the majority of students were taken to their regular stops.  Drivers were told, however, that if you have areas you know would be unsafe, parents would be contacted regarding a place to meet or students would be kept on the bus and delivered back to their respective buildings.  Staff members were kept on hand to assist the Transportation Department, contact parents, and to supervise students who could not immediately be taken home.  A number of parents were actually proactive, calling the school, the bus garage, or their own students to prevent the bus from traveling into an area that may have been unsafe.

The district wishes to thank all parents for their flexibility and assistance on a day when a very unpredictable weather system caught everyone by surprise.  The district encourages anyone with questions to contact either Supt. Mike Haluska (382-4208) or Transportation Director Jim Samuelson (382-4165).