DECATUR — School will begin in a few short weeks, and parents, students and drivers need to be aware of changes in bus routes and schedules.

There have been several changes this year, and students may be riding a different bus that picks them up or drops them off at a different time, according to transportation director Sherman Robinson.

The transportation department has also switched the times when high school and elementary students will be picked up and dropped off so that smaller children won’t have to spend so much time waiting onboard, according to superintendent Larry Ben.

There are areas where other district’s bus routes overlap Decatur’s, Ben said. He cautioned parents to double check that buses are from Decatur before putting their children on-board.

Robinson urges drivers to use extra caution during their morning commute, especially during the first few weeks of school when children are excited and still learning the routine. The transportation department plans the routes so that children don’t have to cross the road to board the bus in most cases, but there are a few places it is unavoidable, he said.

Parents should call the school’s transportation department at 752-3352 to find out their child’s bus route and the approximate time they will be picked up and dropped off, Robinson said.