Decorah Community School District is committed to providing safe, reliable transportation to and from school for students living in the Decorah District.
Eligibility
District Busing:
Bus transportation is provided for all students throughout the Decorah School District. According to state law, a school bus may not travel further than district boundary lines to pick up students. DECORAH SCHOOL BOUNDARY MAP
2025 – 2026 Transportation Information
- All school buses will stop at ALL SCHOOLS to drop off students in the morning between 7:35 and 8:00 a.m.
- All school buses line up in front of Carrie Lee Elementary after school between 2:50 and 3:15 p.m. to take students home.
- West Side, John Cline, and High School students will be bussed to Carrie Lee to get on their bus to go home.
- Buses depart between 3:15 and 3:20 pm.
- MAP of how busses are lined up at Carrie Lee after school.
- Driver Information and Routes
Bus #23 – TOWN SHUTTLE BUS – MORNING AND AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP/DROP OFF TIMES:
If you have a student that lives in town, bus 23 is the town shuttle bus.
- Please note, the in town stops are designated for students in grades PK – 8 only. Any questions or special arrangements can be made by contacting Chris Pronschinske at the Bug Garage at 563-382-4165.
| Before School – Wayne Petersburg | Location | After School- Daryl Treangen |
| 7:09 AM | Commerce Drive & Clearview Drive | 3:20 PM |
| 7:10 AM | Clearview Drive & Ridgewood Drive | 3:19 PM |
| 7:11 AM | Ridgewood Drive & Rural Avenue | 3:18 PM |
| 7:17 AM | Vernon Street & Park Street | 3:26 PM |
| 7:18 AM | Park Street & Walnut Street | 3:27 PM |
| 7:20 AM | Park Street & Linden Street | 3:27 PM |
| 7:23 AM | Dudley Street & South Mill Street | 3:23 PM |
| 7:25 AM | South Mill Street & Sanford Street | 3:24 PM |
| 7:30 AM | Hilltop Drive & Sunset Drive | 3:36 PM |
| 7:32 AM | College Drive & Pool Street | 3:35 PM |
| 7:35 AM | West Side School | 3:34 PM |
| 7:40 AM | Decorah High School | 3:43 PM |
| 7:41 AM | John Cline School | 2:48 PM |
| 7:43 AM | Middle School | — |
| 7:44 AM | Carrie Lee Elementary | 3:14 PM |
| — | 507 River Street | 3:14 PM |
| — | 700 W. Broadway | 3:39 PM |
STUDENTS NEEDING TO CATCH A BUS BETWEEN SCHOOLS IN THE MORNING:
- TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL or CARRIE LEE from the High School or John Cline – buses
- 4, 17, 20, 21, 23, 60.
- They will leave before 7:45 a.m.
- TO THE HIGH SCHOOL or JOHN CLINE from the Middle School and Carrie Lee – busses:
- 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14.
- They will leave before 7:45 a.m.
- Van 52 (white van) will shuttle to West Side from each school at 7:45 a.m.
Afternoon Shuttles:
| Bus Number | Location |
| 6 | 2:45 from Montessori to CLE. |
| 8, 11 | 2:55 from St. Benedict’s to CLE. |
| 1, 7, 17, 23, 24 | 2:55 from JCE to CLE. |
| 14 | 3:05 from DHS to CLE. At 3:14, it comes back to HS for drop off and begins it’s route. |
| 66 | 3:05 from DHS to CLE. |
| 23 | 3:14 – leaves Carrie Lee to start in town route with last stops to WS, JC, HS (arriving at approximately 3:40-3:45). |
| 11 | 3:18 CL to Broadway & Oak- SEASONAL 2nd week of November to first week in April. |
After School pick up information:
- John Cline Elementary:
- Beginning at 3:05 p.m., students may be picked up at the East end of the building near the grassy area.
- Please stay in line and do not get out of your car when in the pickup lane.
- Carrie Lee Elementary:
- Beginning at 3:05 p.m., students may be picked up on River Street.
- Decorah Middle School:
- Beginning at 3:05 p.m., students may be picked up on Jefferson or Court Street behind the school.
Bus Rules:
- The bus driver may assign seats.
- Be courteous.
- No profanity.
- Do not eat or drink on the bus; keep the bus clean.
- Violence is prohibited.
- Remain seated at all times.
- Keep your hands and head inside the bus.
- Do not destroy property.
- For your own safety, do not distract the driver through misbehavior.
- Parents: Please encourage your child(ren) to report problems immediately to the bus driver, their teacher, principal, or to you.
Rules are posted on each bus.
- Results of violating bus rules is at the discretion of the Director of Transportation and the building principal.
- Consequences may include removal from the bus for one to ten days or permanent removal from the bus by a formal hearing.
- Serious misbehavior on the bus may also be cause for consequences up to and including suspension or expulsion from school.
What do you do if your child(ren) want to ride another bus?
- Parents should notify their child(ren)’s school of their request to ride another bus.
- Notification may either be in the form of an email, a note, or a phone call to the building Administrative Assistant.
- When buses are full to capacity with regular route riders, bus passes may not be approved.
- When two or more extra riders are requested to ride the bus, such as a birthday party, the parent must call Chris Pronschinske at the bus garage at 563-382-4208 to receive permission.
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Examples when bus passes are needed are overnights or to ride an alternative destination other than home.
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If the bus driver cannot identify the child as a regular bus rider, and the child does not have a bus pass, the bus driver will direct the child back to their regular bus.
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Walking and Biking School Bus
Decorah’s Walking and Biking School Buses are a healthy way for students to get to and/or from school, make friends, and connect with a caring adult volunteer. Please complete the online interest form or contact Upper Explorerland Safe Route to School Coordinator April Bril at abril@uerpc.org or (563) 382-6171 for more information.
Motorist Responsibility
Ensuring the safety of students during their commute to and from school is a collective effort involving school bus drivers, motorists, and the entire community. While school bus drivers go to great lengths to protect children, it is equally crucial for all road users to play their part in managing transportation risks effectively.
Here are some invaluable tips to share with your school community for safe coexistence with school buses on the road:
Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Encourage drivers to keep a safe distance behind school buses, bearing in mind that buses make frequent stops to pick up and drop off students.
Stay Vigilant for Children: Emphasize the importance of vigilance. Children around buses may not always pay attention to vehicles before crossing the street, so drivers should remain watchful.
