Trustees approve annual school bus stop locations, staff cite safety reviews and new equipment

Missoula trustees voted to approve the district’s annual school bus stop locations for elementary and secondary routes, a requirement staff said is mandated by state statute.

The approval covered the full set of stops listed in the board packet. Trustees noted highlighted stops where students must cross the street; staff said the district and its contractor regularly review stops for safety, taking into account construction, sight lines, trees and building locations. Staff pointed to recent safety equipment upgrades, including a 54-inch stop arm with lights, and cited a crosswalk installed near Porter on Reserve as an example of mitigation taken where warranted. Trustee Walsh highlighted the items on the packet that indicate required crossings and said staff had assured the board those locations were safe.

Trustee Wake moved to approve the bus stop locations; the motion was seconded and approved by all trustees present. Trustees also asked whether recent concerns raised about stops on the south side had been addressed; staff said the issue was included in the review and that adjustments can be made if conditions change.