Watertown School District Redirects Out-of-Town Buses Away From High School Over Safety Concerns

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown School District has confirmed that all out‑of‑town school districts have been asked to stop using the Watertown High School/Boys & Girls Club area for bus pickup and drop‑off, citing safety concerns tied to increased traffic at Allen Mitchell.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielsen clarified the change Monday morning after Northeast Radio SD News requested confirmation on whether Florence’s recently announced shift to the Watertown Armory applied to other districts as well.

🚍 All Out‑of‑Town Districts Directed Away From High School Parking Lot

Danielsen said the district has formally asked every neighboring district to avoid the high school parking lot due to congestion created by additional buses, student vehicles, and ongoing events at Allen Mitchell.

“With the increase of events at Allen Mitchell, it has become a safety issue with the additional buses and students coming through the high school parking lot,” Danielsen said. “We have asked all other districts not to use this as a pickup or drop-off location.”

Under state law, Watertown may designate a single pickup location for each out‑of‑town district. For Florence, that location is the Watertown Armory, which the Florence School District noted in its July newsletter.

🏫 Armory Confirmed as Florence’s Only Approved Site

Florence buses are no longer allowed to drop students at the Boys & Girls Club after school. The Armory is now the sole approved pickup and drop‑off point for Florence students transported into Watertown.

Other districts have been instructed to follow similar guidance and avoid the high school campus for safety reasons.

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club did not request or initiate this transportation change.

Rumors circulating that the Boys & Girls Club is “not taking children” from Waverly, South Shore, or other districts are false.

This is not a Boys & Girls Club policy decision — it is a Watertown School District transportation directive based solely on safety and traffic management.

🔒 Why the Change Matters

The district’s decision aims to:

·         Reduce bus congestion in the high school parking lot

·         Improve safety for students walking to and from Allen Mitchell

·         Prevent conflicts during high‑traffic events

·         Ensure consistent, predictable pickup points for families

📍 Where Parents Should Go

·         Florence School District: Watertown Armory

·         Other Out‑of‑Town Districts: Contact your district office for the designated Watertown pickup/drop‑off location

Danielsen emphasized that families should rely on their home district for the most accurate pickup and drop‑off information.

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