Board approves Cottage Grove School bus-loop site plan with traffic study condition

Trustees approved a site-plan amendment on Monday to add a paved, gated bus loop and related safety changes at Cottage Grove School, but attached conditions and a study requirement underscored lingering traffic concerns.

The Monona Grove School District requested the amendment for a bus loop to separate bus movements from car drop-off and to add perimeter fencing and controlled gates. "Our number one goal is to eliminate any of those unmonitored times of kids coming and going into school," said Tanya Frederick, who introduced the plan and identified herself as the district superintendent. She described changes to morning procedures (staff on site by 7:25 a.m., doors opening at 7:30) and dismissal (2:45 p.m.), and showed a plan that routes buses to a dedicated north entrance and cars to the south.

Why it matt…