The Clearview Public Schools and the Town of Stettler came together to undertake a new initiative that would improve the school bus parking, according to a Clearview press release last week.
“Clearview Public Schools and the Town of Stettler would like to thank you for your support this month as we piloted a new initiative,” said Peter Neale, associate superintendent of Clearview Public Schools. “This initiative has helped us to ensure students are home on time by avoiding a single exit for all buses at Highway 12, which in prior years has created wait times of up to 15-20 minutes.”
According to Neale, the initiative has helped reduce road congestion through improved parking in several locations, while also improving ride times and safety for students.
“Based on the success of the pilot, the Town and Clearview will be moving past the pilot phase and introducing this new system as the new parking plan for around the schools,” said Neale. “Our next steps will include working with the schools on any further procedures needed to make this successful for our students, as well as getting new signage along the bus parking areas on the times.”
Neale also said that the Town will be planning to improve the road in front of Stettler Elementary School with repaving, but that would not happen before the summer of 2017.
Some of the suggested pick-up spots for parents and legal guardians who are picking students up after school are as follows: parking to the south of Stettler Elementary (where the school buses were previously parked after school); parking at the Tennis Courts behind the school on 48 Avenue; parking at Wm. E. Hay Stettler Secondary Campus’s entrance; and other side roads around the schools.
Parents may still use the east side of 54 Street for student pick-ups after school, explained Neale, however it is not recommended because of high traffic congestion in the area.