The Chadron School Board is giving the city of Chadron a roughly 15×80 foot strip of land along the north end of the Kenwood Intermediate School property to formally set the right-of-way for a long-standing alley…as long as it doesn’t result in any cost to the district.

Adjacent landowners Charlie and Shelly Decker had approached the district earlier this fall about the idea, explaining that they’d discovered the alley was not where it was supposed to be and without a change would prevent them from changing the entrance to their garage to the south side of the building.

Board member Dave Johnson raised the question if changing the alley…also used by Kenwood teachers and staff…would increase traffic and pose a danger to students, but was assured it would not.

Superintendent Dr Caroline Winchester said ceding the strip of land to the city would also mean the school district would no longer have a liability risk for any accidents or other problems on the alley.

The Deckers will pay all associated costs…including surveying…to formally establish the current site of the alley as the proper location.

The school district would have to share the cost if the alley were ever paved, but board Buildings and Grounds Committee chairman Keith Drinkwalter said city official Janet Johnson had told the panel that there are many more pressing needs and she didn’t anticipate that happening for many years…if ever.