Minnema: Traffic Woes Could Worsen in Wake of Scheduling Decision at DHS

In the most recent edition of the Dixon Telegram, columnist Devon Minnema lays out his case that having a mandatory sixth period will cause a significant traffic problem when school lets out each day along Highway 113.

Double Wednesdays (when there is a double period at and most of the school let's out early and at the same time) can be a traffic nightmare, Minnema said, turning what should be a five-minute drive from the high school to , into a 36-minute crawl. 

Minnema argues that having a mandatory sixth period would cause significant traffic congestion along Highway 113 because the entire school would be letting out at the same time.

<<Read Minnema's column at the DHS Telegram>>

But Minnema is not the only columnist at the Telegram who has written against the scheduling changes. DHS Columnist Ameet Sharma, , argued that many students use the zero period -- when students arrive early at school so that they can leave early -- to attend jobs and pursue interests outside of school.

However, the scheduling changes calling for a mandatory sixth period would exclude students who could provide proof of employment that would make it necessary for them to leave early from school.

DHS Telegram Zach Page also tackles the issue and interviews Principal John Barsotti in this column.

Now we put the question to the readers of Dixon Patch. Just how bad is the traffic along Highway 113 when school lets out -- both on Wednesdays and each day when DHS lets out?

Do you live along Highway 113? What are your thoughts?