Temporary changes to in-town school bus shuttle approved

On Monday night several parents from the Daly Addition attended the Decorah Community School Board meeting and requested that their middle school children be allowed to board School Bus #2 in the Daly Addition, rather than the current practice of them boarding the shuttle bus at West Side School. In this case the shuttle bus is the same #2 bus that picks up elementary school children in the Daly Addition. At the current time that bus has space to accommodate those children.

Parents said the new practice would make logistical sense, but they were particularly concerned about safety issues as the students currently need to cross what they saw as chaotic and dangerous crossings of College Drive, particularly at the intersection of Locust Road and College Drive.

After lengthy discussion of the issue, and questioning of the parents, the Board and Superintendent Mike Haluska agreed that the suggested practice be implemented on a temporary basis. They were concerned that the practice might be one that sets a precedent that would force multiple other changes in the city related to bus pick-up locations and shuttle arrangements. They will study the issue and discuss it further at their October meeting.