LAHARPE — A group of parents hope to take advantage of a new state law allowing school buses from neighboring districts to enter USD 257 to pick up students.
Angelia Roney, one such parent, asked LaHarpe City Council members Wednesday for permission for Marmaton Valley-USD 256 buses to pick up students at LaHarpe City Hall.
Roney said she was prepared to submit a petition to USD 256 Board of Education members asking for the buses to enter LaHarpe.
In years past, parents in and around LaHarpe wishing to have their children transported to Marmaton Valley schools in Moran had to meet a school bus a mile east of town near the Allen County Landfill at the intersection of Nebraska Road and 2800 Street, or the dividing line between USD 256 and USD 257. That was because buses were prohibited from encroaching neighboring districts.
Legislators changed a state law this year to allow buses to enter neighboring districts if a student lives at last 2.5 miles from his appointed school.
Roney told LaHarpe councilmen 65 to 70 students living in USD 257 attend Marmaton Valley schools, many of whom require busing.
“We’ve outgrown our bus stop,” Roney said, adding cars often flood the bus stop near the landfill, creating hazards for children.
Allowing the bus to pick up and drop off students at city hall provides a safe, centrally located spot for the students, Roney said. A covered patio provides protection from the weather.
The council’s reaction was mixed.
Councilman Harry Lee Jr. worried about a lack of adult supervision for that many students. He recommended Roney visit with parents to ensure at least a handful were available at the start and end of each school day to respond to any issues that might arise.
Council member Mae Crowell asked how bus stops in the afternoon would affect business at City Hall.
“We’re still open at that time,” Crowell said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Cynthia Carr noted USD 257 taxpayers were the ones supporting LaHarpe City Hall. She expressed reservations about allowing another district to encroach USD 257’s boundaries. Carr is a USD 257 employee.
“Yes, but safety of LaHarpe citizens, including children, should be a concern,” Roney responded.
Lee made a motion to allow Marmaton Valley buses to use City Hall, but later rescinded it, suggesting Roney approach the owners of the new LaHarpe Baptist Mission on Main Street for permission to use its property.
Roney said she would, but noted she may be back to ask the council for permission if other options fall through.
