Is there a lost and found?
Items left on the bus are kept onboard for several days in an attempt to locate the owner. If they are not claimed, items are donated to local charities.
Why does my child have an assigned seat?
Seat assignments are a positive way for the ride to be consistent and safe. This will also assist the driver regarding discipline and damage done on the bus.
Does Transportation call when a bus is running late?
No, unless there are extenuating circumstances. There are as many as 90 students on a bus. That would require at least 90 phone calls in a short timeframe to parents who are possibly at the bus stop waiting. You may choose to call the Transportation Call Center at 799-8111 after 15 minutes beyond the scheduled stop time.
Who is responsible for my child on the way to and from the bus stop?
The parent/guardian is responsible for the safety and conduct of their child/children on the way to and from, or while waiting at the bus stop.
What should I do if my child does not get off the bus at home in the afternoon?
If your child does not arrive home in the afternoon, the first step should be to contact the school to see if the child is still there. If the student is not at the school, call Transportation at 799-8111. Calls after normal business hours should be directed to School Police at 799-5411.
What kind of transportation is available for special needs students?
A special needs student's right to be eligible for special transportation is based upon two federal statutes enacted by Congress. Services are based on an individual need to children from the age of 3 through 21. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) established by a multi-disciplinary team qualifies a student for special education services which may include the need for transportation. Children receiving transportation services as a related service are evaluated and provided services within the least restrictive environment (LRE) structure. Adapted buses should only be used as a separate, special transportation service if the child's needs can be met only with transportation services that are separate from the transportation services for all children. Students identified for curb to curb transportation services are provided this service to/from the closest access point to their residence within the scope of the student's abilities. Bus stop locations may be identified as the entrance of the student's private/gated community and/or the closest accessible corner if they reside in a cul-de-sac or on a dead-end street.
What kind of training does my child's driver receive?
Each driver receives 48 hours of behind the wheel training and 40 hours of classroom training. All drivers receive the same all-inclusive training in anticipation of having to drive any type of bus and manage various students with differing behaviors and/or limitations. Each driver is also required to complete 10 hours of annual in-service training prior to the start of each school year.
Why can't the bus come into my subdivision or cul-de-sac?
Buses generally come in various lengths, widths, heights and weights. The length and turn radius are what limits a school bus's ability to maneuver in cul-de-sacs and tight places. Most subdivisions are not designed with school bus transportation in mind. The placement of general education bus stops within communities can present safety risks, private property damage and traffic issues.
How are bus stop locations determined?
Bus stops are placed in centralized locations. Stop locations must be clear of any hazards, allow space for students to stand single file as they await the bus and be visible to the approaching school bus driver and other drivers. When you receive your child’s bus stop information by written notice or phone, two intersecting streets and corner are often indicated. Instruct your child to stand on the street listed first on the stop description and move at least 50 feet away from the corner. Children should never stand directly on the corner or around the corner out of the driver’s sight.
Can my student take their instrument to school?
Small instruments that can fit on a student's lap are OK, such as a flute, clarinet, and violin. We cannot transport anything too large as it jeopardizes student safety. There is no reasonable way of securing the instruments on a school bus.
How many students can ride a single bus?
This answer varies depending on the size of the bus. Typically, a large bus will carry up to 60 high school students, 70 middle school students and up to 90 elementary students.
Why does my child have to be at the bus stop ten minutes before the pickup time?
There are many factors that may affect the time a driver arrives at a given stop. Daily traffic patterns and student loads are unpredictable and may cause a driver's time to vary. These situations, plus differences in clock times have proven over the years that arriving 10 minutes early gives a student an adequate window of time to ensure they catch the bus.
Why aren't seat belts required in school buses?
School buses are one of the safest forms of transportation on the road today. Seat belts are not required in school buses because research has been done by DOT and others, they have determined that compartmentalization was a better solution for large buses exceeding 10k GVW. This design is to protect children without seat belts because the seats are strong, closely spaced together, high backed, well-padded and are designed to absorb energy during a crash. The main threat students may face is during a fire when immediate evacuation is the key to survival.
How is the two mile walk zone calculated?
Per the School District Regulation 3531, Walking Distance and Safety Conditions are as follows: A "walking distance" of two miles from a school is measured from the edge of a dedicated street or road immediately in front of the main entrance to the school grounds along dedicated streets or roads to a point on the edge of the street or road immediately in front of the walkway or access to the individual residence. In unique situations, where extensive school setbacks from a dedicated street exist, the Transportation Department, at its determination, may use measurements on school district roads to the main entrance of the school for determination of the two-mile "walking distance".
Will my student receive Transportation if he/she is on a zone variance?
No, the student is not eligible for transportation when on a zone variance due to the buses not transporting outside of a school's zone. When the paperwork is signed by the parent/guardian it states "no transportation provided", while the signature indicates parent awareness and agreement.
What are the bus rules, and where can I find them?
The rules are outlined on this website. Click on "Bus Safety/Rules & Regs".
What time can I plan on to meet my student's bus returning from school?
Unlike the scheduled pick-up times, drop-off times can vary greatly. The PM drop off time provided by written notice or phone is only an approximate and can varying up to 15 minutes based on traffic and other delays. Buses usually depart school sites 7 minutes after the scheduled release bell time. Some buses are scheduled to pick up at more than one school for sister schools, magnets and schools in close proximity to each other. Once the driver has loaded all students, they will begin traveling the assigned route which likely includes stopping at several stops. Some variation in stop times can be expected due to varying traffic patterns through the work week. Most buses will fall into a pattern after a few weeks so parents/guardians can ensure they are at the stop on time. When school release times are altered (for certain test schedules, parent-teacher conference days, extra staff development days, etc.), the schools and/or the driver will let the students know. Parents/Guardians can determine the potential arrival time based on the school’s release time. For example, if the school will release one hour earlier than usual, the bus will likely arrive at the bus stop one hour early.
