District 88 discusses stop arm policy

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- In an attempt to provide better safety for students in District 88, officials have begun discussing the use of stop arms on school buses for the 2000-2001 school year.

As a result of the recent failure of the proposed excess levy referendum, bus service within two miles of school sites will be discontinued for the 2000-2001 school year, so buses will not be as visible on city streets, officials say.

The issue about the use of stop arms came before the school board in May, when members of the New Ulm Safety Commission expressed concern with safety. There is a difference that exists between the use of lights and stop arms in rural areas and in the city. The difference can potentially be confusing for drivers unfamiliar with the policy.

Under existing policy, drivers activate the flashing eight-light systems at least 300 feet before stopping, switching to the red flashing lights and extension of the stop arm prior to unloading students.

Once the lights and stop arm are activated, traffic approaching from both ways is required to stop. The bus driver keeps lights activated until students have safely crossed the street.

Section four of the same policy, which applies to the city, states that drivers shall activate four-way flashing lights at least 100 feet before stopping, pulling over to the side of the street before unloading students.

Motorists, under this section, are not required to stop, which is where the safety factor comes in, as children cross the street while traffic is still moving.

The district will be looking at modifications that can be made to section four. The changes would require bus drivers within the city to use the eight-light system of red lights and stop arms as well, Superintendent Harold Remme said.

After the policy is changed, the board will need to take steps to consistently remind motorists of the policy. Many motorists have forgotten what the law is or have grown accustomed to the current way of doing things, Board Member Susan Ullery said.

"Many people question why we are discussing this since we have already said there will be no in-town busing," Remme said. "But we still need to discuss this, because in-town busing in general has been discontinued, but there will still be some busing in town."

Students living on the fringe of the two-mile limit will still be bused, even if they live within the city limits, as will those attending Immanuel Lutheran or Minnesota Valley Lutheran. Also students bused in from out of town will still be dropped off in front of the middle school, Washington Elementary, St. Paul's and St. Anthony's, so the policy would need to be followed, he said.