708.1 - Bus Service Eligibility Regulation

AUXILIARY SERVICES

 

Series 700

 

Policy Title: Student Conduct on School Transportation

Code No.: 708.1

 

School bus riders shall conduct themselves in a respectful manner along the following lines: Preamble: (708 - Student Transportation Program)

The policy, rules and regulations for the transportation of students to and from school shall be in strict compliance with statutory provisions, Iowa Department of Education, and rules and regulations established and approved by the board.

 

A student may lose his/her bus riding privileges automatically if that person commits any act that directly endangers the safety of other students riding on any district bus. Procedures for automatic dismissal from bus privileges will be the same as those listed in this policy. Principal/designee may also assign additional consequences.

 

Rules and Regulations

  1. Bus riders will be at the designated loading point before the bus arrival time.
  2.  Bus riders will wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to enter.
  3.  Riders must not extend arms or heads out of the windows at any time.
  4.  Aisles must be kept cleared at all times.
  5.  All bus riders will load and unload through the right front door.  The emergency door is for emergencies only.
  6.  A bus rider will depart from the bus at the designated point unless written permission to get off at a different location is given to the driver.
  7.  A rider may be assigned a seat by the driver.
  8. Riders who damage seats or other equipment will reimburse the district for the cost of the repair or replacement.
  9. Riders are not permitted to leave their seats while the vehicle is in motion.  Seat belts must be worn if the bus is equipped with them.
  10. Waste containers are provided on all buses for bus riders' use.
  11. Permission to open windows must be obtained from the driver.
  12. Classroom conduct is to be observed by students while riding the bus except for ordinary conversation.
  13. The driver is in charge of the students and the vehicle, and the driver is to be obeyed promptly and cheerfully.
  14. Students will assist in looking after the safety and comfort of younger students.
  15. A bus rider who must cross the roadway to board or depart from the bus will pass in front of the bus (no closer than 10 feet), look in both directions and proceed to cross the road or highway only on signal from the driver.
  16. Students will not throw objects about the vehicle nor out through the windows.
  17. Shooting paper wads, squirt guns or other material in the vehicle is not permitted.
  18. Students will keep feet off the seats.
  19. Roughhousing in the vehicle is prohibited.
  20. Students will refrain from crowding or pushing.
  21. The use or possession of alcohol, tobacco or look-alike substances is prohibited in the vehicle.
  22. The Good Conduct Rule is in effect.

 

The following procedures will apply to those students who fail to comply with any of the above rules and regulations:

 

  1.  First Infraction (Warning)--A verbal warning will be issued by the bus driver to the student concerned. Principal/designee may also assign additional consequences.
  2. Second Infraction ( Discipline referral form and conference)--If a student had been previously warned by the bus driver, and a second infraction of any rule or regulation results, the following procedures are to be followed:
    1. The district discipline referral form will be filled out by the bus driver. Copies will be distributed as follows: one to the principal/designee of the student's attendance center; one to the transportation director/designee; one to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student; and one retained by the driver. Principal/designee may also assign additional consequences.

 

    1. Upon receipt of a discipline form, the principal/designee will hold a conference with the student.

 

    1. The student and his/her parents/guardians will be notified by the principal/designee at this point that a third infraction will result in a five day (school days) suspension of bus riding privileges.

 

  1. Third infraction (5 school day bus riding suspension). If the same student commits a third infraction of any rule or regulation, up to a five school day bus riding suspension will result. Procedures for suspension are as follows:
    1. A letter will be drafted by the building principal/designee and mailed to the parent(s)/guardian(s) concerned. The letter will indicate the dates of suspension and reason(s) for the suspension. The building principal/designee will make a phone call and follow up with a letter to ensure parents/guardians are properly informed.

 

    1. A copy of the above letter will also be sent to the transportation director, and the superintendent/designee. Principals/designee will again conference with this student indicating that if he/she is involved in another discipline problem, bus-riding privileges will be revoked for the remainder of the school year. Principal/designee may also assign additional consequences.
  2. Fourth Infraction (Bus riding privileges REVOKED)--If the same student commits a fourth infraction of any rule or regulation, that student's bus riding privileges will be revoked for the remainder of the school year. Procedures for revoking bus riding privileges are as follows:
    1. A registered letter will be drafted by the superintendent/designee indicating the effective date of the revocation and reasons for this action.

 

b.  A phone call will be made to ensure parents/guardians are properly informed.

 

 

 

Date of Adoption/Review/Revision:

July 1979

August 21, 1990

August 1992

August 1995

June 1998

June 2001

June 2004

July 2010

August 2010

August 2013

September 2016

August 2017

June 2019

December 2021