Road construction on U.S. 84/285 means some parents of Pojoaque school students will have to drive their children to school the first few weeks, school officials said Thursday.

Pojoaque schools resume classes Monday.

Superintendent Art Blea said that about 200 out-of-district students in the Arroyo Seco area will be left without a bus stop, and parents will need to find other ways to get their children to and from school. He said construction on both sides of the highway will prevent Pojoaque buses and parents' cars from safely stopping at the usual sites north of La Puebla Road.

The northbound stops were in front of the OR Communications building at Orcomm Road; and the David Dear silversmith gallery at 18486 N.M. 84/285. The southbound stops were in front of the Quintana Building, Rodrigo's Minimart and the Arroyo Seco Fire Department stationhouse. The firehouse may be available later for in-district students, Blea said.

"The highway construction changes on a daily basis, and we don't want to expose motorists and school kids to hazardous conditions," Blea said. He said the district is looking for alternative sites, but none has yet been established.

"Realistically, (the current) bus stops are history," even after road construction is finished, Blea said. Buses will not make stops north of La Puebla Road though they will pass the intersection to turn around.

Blea also said the district may eventually be able to redistribute other bus passenger loads to accommodate the additional students.

Blea urged parents not to drop off students at in-district bus stops farther south. "We don't want parents chasing buses all over the place," Blea said. "It would not be safe to have 25 or 30 cars waiting at the stops, and it becomes an accountability issue for the drivers ... There is just no space for parents to come and wait for the bus."

Contact Dennis Carroll at dcarroll@sfnewmexican.com.