Making it easier to be dropped off at grandma's place

You can't say the school board isn't doing something to help parents with childcare for the upcoming school year.

As noted in today's article, the board told staff to make it easier for parents to request that their children be dropped off at different bus stops in the afternoon.

Currently, you're only supposed to be dropped off in the afternoon at the same stop where you were picked up in the morning. Exceptions are made for daycare centers and after-school centers that are along on your route.

You're also only supposed to ride the bus you're assigned to although some principals make exceptions when they get a note from parents.

Staff wanted to tighten things up. Citing safety and security, they wanted to say that buses could only stop at daycare centers and after-school centers that are registered with the state.

Board members told staff to drop the registration requirement. They want the wording changed to say you can be dropped off at a care provider, which could include a relative or family friend.

Board members said they want to reduce the number of latchkey kids.

The board also wants staff to put in the policy wording that officially says principals can allow students to ride on different buses.

Before any of this can happen, there has to be space on the bus. The care provider must be located along an established bus route. The request must be made in writing.

It will be interesting to see how many families take advantage of these looser rules, which the board will formally adopt into policy next month or in July.