By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer contributor

LEBANON - Lebanon Schools are making life easier for parents whose children are in after-school activities or getting extra study help.

Beginning Sept. 15, six "activity buses" will stop at Berry Middle School at 4:30 p.m. and at Lebanon High School at 4:40 p.m. to pick up students and take them to drop-off points near their homes. For many school districts, such service is a luxury on tight budgets, but Lebanon officials and parents say it's an important way to help families and increase participation.

"If you really want kids to participate, you have to get them home,'' said Superintendent James W. "Bill" Sears. "We've been saying this for awhile. Now we're going to do it.''

Kathy Chrostowski of Lebanon said it is sometimes difficult to juggle the picking up of her middle school children in time to be home when her second-grader gets off the bus.

"It's a great idea and addresses a big need, especially at the middle school,'' Chrostowski said.

Neighboring Monroe Local School District is also adding two routes to take students home from after-school activities, said Steve Campbell, the district's facilities director. Though geared mostly to middle and high school students, Campbell said there could be occasions when elementary school students would use the service, particularly for those students who stay after school to get help from a teacher.

"We're hoping it will enhance the participation in our district,'' Campbell said.

Lebanon's buses will run Mondays through Thursdays, Sept. 15 to May 15, while school is in session, Sears said. It will provide time for teachers to work one-on-one or in small groups with students who need extra help or those preparing for proficiency tests or retests.

Parent Alison Kaar said the activity buses would allow more students to participate in programs.

"The idea of having transportation so everybody in the district has access is terribly important,'' said Kaar, who is also a substitute teacher.

"It democratizes it by not limiting participation to the kids who have transportation.''

Sears said the district would pay about $6,000 per semester for the service.