Transportation Policy

Transportation of Public School Students – Conduct on School Buses

Students who ride the bus to school must ride the bus home unless the office receives a signed note from the parent/guardian or receives a phone call. All calls for transportation changes must be made before 1 p.m. each day to ensure that your child’s teacher can be notified.

Riding the bus is a privilege; thus, students are expected to behave in the same manner as in the classroom. While riding, waiting for the bus, or after being dropped off, all riders must comply with the following rules: 

• Get to the bus stop five minutes before your scheduled pickup time. The school bus driver will not wait for late students.

• Respect the property of others while waiting at the bus stop.

• Stay away from the street, road, or highway when waiting for the bus.

• Wait until the bus stops before approaching the bus. The driver will signal when it is safe to do so.

• After getting off the bus, move away from the bus.

• If you must cross the street, always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Wait for the driver to signal to you before crossing the street. As you cross the street, pay attention to the surrounding traffic and watch for moving vehicles.

• Follow the driver’s directions at all times.

• Remain seated facing forward while the bus is in motion.

• Talk quietly and use appropriate language.

• Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.

• Keep arms, legs, and belongings to yourself and out of the aisle.

• No fighting, harassment, intimidation, or horseplay.

• Do not throw any object inside of the bus nor out the windows.

• No eating, drinking, or use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

• Do not bring any weapons or dangerous objects on the school bus.

• Do not damage the school bus.

Transportation Consequences for Misbehavior

Behavior problems will be addressed by the driver, with written documentation provided to the principal. The driver, transportation director, and principal will address serious and persistent situations. Offenses that are dangerous or destructive will result in immediate suspension and may include notification of legal authorities. Students damaging school buses are liable for damages. Failure to initiate payment will result in loss of riding privileges until damage is paid for.

Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will apply to all regular and late routes. Decisions regarding a student’s ability to ride the bus in connection with co-curricular and extracurricular events (for example, field trips or competitions) will be in the sole discretion of the school district. Parents or guardians will be notified of any suspension of bus privileges. 

• 1st Offense: a written and verbal warning 

• 2nd Offense: 3-5 school-day suspension from riding the bus

• 3rd Offense: 5-10 school-day suspension from riding the bus 

• 4th Offense: 10-20 school-day suspension from riding the bus/meeting with parent

• Further offenses – individually considered. Students may be suspended for longer periods of time, including the remainder of the school year.

When any student goes 60 transportation days without a report, the student’s consequences may start over at the first offense. Based on the severity of a student’s conduct, more serious consequences may be imposed at any time. Depending on the nature of the offense, consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school also may result from school bus/bus stop misconduct.

All district students are provided with bus safety instruction during the first three weeks of school and are required to demonstrate understanding of bus safety lessons. More information is available in policy 709mL-1.

Extracurricular Transportation

The school district may provide transportation for students to and from extracurricular activities. To the extent the school district provides extracurricular transportation, the district may charge a fee for transportation of students to and from extracurricular activities and optional field trips at locations other than school.

Late Bus

Late buses run at 5:15 p.m. as announced.  The late bus is for students who are participating in a sport practice or activity or receiving assistance from a teacher.  Any student riding for reasons other than school activities may lose future riding privileges and/or receive detention.