Where do parent responsibilities end and the school district's start?

Mild chaos surrounding the Rapid City schools during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup has some parents and administration asking that question.

Dakota Middle School, with a particularly difficult situation at the intersection of Sixth Street and Columbus, was highlighted as a problem school.

But it's not the only one. Most schools in the city face similar concerns as parents navigate the daily school drop-off schedule.

Most parents know that, having to navigate the daily swarm of vehicles, children and activity that surround the school morning and afternoon is something like planning a major attack on a foreign shore. It's busy, congested and children darting in and out add to the confusion.

Too many parents we have seen ignore parking rules and stop signs, ignore cross traffic and other drivers, let their children out of the wrong side of the vehicle and create real hazards for everyone.

The key is parents. Until parents decide that another minute or two in the morning is acceptable, and they learn to follow simple traffic laws and respect other drivers, school zones won't get any safer.

The safety problem around schools hasn't gone unnoticed and neither has the most likely solution to the problem.

Superintendent Peter Wharton did speak with city officials and law enforcement about the combined efforts around schools for increased safety, but pointed out increasing law enforcement really wasn't the key to solving the problem and was terribly reasonable.

Rapid City Police Chief Steve Allender agreed , and hit the nail on the head saying safety education was key: "There are some bad habits for parents and kids that could be adjusted to making things safer for everyone," Allender pointed out.

We agree. Parents need to step up and solve this simple congestion problem. Respecting traffic laws and other drivers will go a long way in making school zones safer.

Law enforcement and school administration can educate parents and students about proper drop-offs and safety but parents finally are the only ones who can fix the problem.

Once they figure that out, and stop rushing around to get their children out of the car, things will change for the better.