711.2R1 Transportation Rules and Policies

LEWIS CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

TRANSPORTATION RULES AND POLICIES

Safety is our top priority, therefore, it is imperative that all students conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times while on a school bus. While school transportation is provided as a service to students, it is important to know that riding a school bus is a privilege not a right. Disruptions which lead to an injury of a student or which interfere with the drivers ability to concentrate on the task of operating the bus, will not be tolerated.

The following rules and policies have been approved by the Board of Education. Discipline policies regarding in school conduct and activities shall supersede transportation policies. In the event a student is suspended or expelled from school, that student will also be excluded from all transportation services. Rules and policies pertaining to transportation services include, but are not limited to 1-7 below. Such language prevents the claim from being made that 1-7 below is all inclusive.

1. THE SCHOOL BUS: The school bus is considered an extension of the classroom. The driver is in charge of the bus and passengers at all times. The driver has the right to give instructions to passengers, assign seats, etc. The driver is entitled to be treated with respect. Poor conduct and/or disrespectful language will not be tolerated.

2. Students will only be allowed to ride the bus to which they are assigned. This is to ensure all students have a seat on the bus. To obtain permission to ride a bus other than the one assigned, written requests must be submitted by the students parent or guardian to the building principal and the transportation coordinator prior to the change.

3. BUS STOPS: Students must be at their designated bus stop five minutes prior to their assigned time. Students will not be allowed to board or exit the school bus from any stop other than their own unless a written request for a change is submitted to the transportation coordinator. Each request will be reviewed and approval may be granted or denied based on the circumstances of the request.

While waiting for the bus, students are asked to remain at the bus stop, be respectful of property, conduct themselves appropriately, and for safety reasons, stay at least ten feet from the roadway.

Students are expected to board the bus in a safe, orderly, and timely manner and seat themselves immediately. Students must then remain seated, behave themselves appropriately, and respect the authority of the driver. Students who do not behave appropriately will be disciplined.

4. CAMERAS: Our school buses may be monitored by on-board cameras. When available, video taped documentation may be used to verify infractions of the bus rules.

5. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS: Drivers will instruct students on the school bus safety rules. All students are expected to obey the safety rules. When a student chooses to behave inappropriately, discipline action will be taken. During all disciplinary proceedings, students will be accorded the rights of due process. Depending on the severity of the infraction, drivers may verbally warn students. If after the driver has given a verbal warning, the student chooses again to behave inappropriately, a discipline referral will be issued by the driver and submitted to the proper school authorities.

Lewis Central Elementary Bus Misconduct Matrix

The following is a table of guidelines for disciplinary actions related to bus misconduct. Each situation will be dealt with based upon the circumstances related to the incident, School administration will determine the final decision for any discipline actions that may be appropriate for the incident.

Rule Infraction

1^st Referral

2^nd Referral

3^rd Referral & Beyond

Safety: any action that imposes an immediate direct threat to the driver and/or riders safety.

May include, but not limited to: assault, weapons, drugs, tobacco, possession, use, or distribution, fighting: mutual combat, etc.