P7310 School Bus Safety and Discipline
- 7300 Transportation
The principal is responsible for developing procedures for maintaining acceptable student discipline on buses and for implementing the state school regulations in regard to student transportation via a chartered or district-owned bus.
Administrative Implemental Procedures:
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Bus drivers have delegated to them responsibility for maintaining proper discipline on their bus.
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Student behavior problems, which develop on the bus, will be referred to the principal for disciplinary action.
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The principal will counsel and work with students who have been referred by the driver in much the same way that the principal works with classroom referrals.
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After the parents have been advised that a student has been a disciplinary problem on a bus, the principal may remove a student from the bus for a period of time. If behavior problems persist, the principal may remove a student from the bus permanently. Parents are to be notified in writing and provided an opportunity for a hearing on a matter with the principal.
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The bus driver is not authorized to remove students from the bus. When a student is endangering the safety of other riders, an offender may be ejected immediately by law enforcement officers.
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The principal is responsible to inform students and parents of the following state school regulations, which relate to bus safety and behavior:
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The driver is in charge of the students and the bus. Students must obey the driver promptly and cheerfully.
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Each student must be provided a seat assigned by the driver.
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Students must be on time; the bus cannot wait for those who are tardy. Students must walk on far left side of road facing traffic when going to bus stop.
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Students must wait for the bus off the traveled portion of the road. Students should wait in an orderly manner.
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Unnecessary conversation with the driver is prohibited. Students must not distract the driver's attention; their safety is in their hands.
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Ordinary conversation is permitted on the bus; otherwise, classroom conduct is to be observed.
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Students should assist in keeping buses clean and sanitary at all times.
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Students must not at any time extend arms or head through bus windows.
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Students must not try to get on or off the bus or move about within the bus while it is motion.
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When leaving bus, students must observe directions of driver. When crossing the road, students are advised to do so in front of the bus after making sure street is clear.
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Any visible damage to a bus (i.e., cuts in seats, cracked glass, broken seat belts, vandalism, graffiti, etc.) is to be reported immediately to the driver.
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During inclement weather, parents/guardians of students who ride buses are advised to stay abreast of local media broadcasts for information concerning bus operations.
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Assessment of penalty for violating rules will be the principal's responsibility.
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The services of the Transportation Field Services staff are available to the principal in resolving school bus related disciplinary problems. This individual, working within the authority of the principal, will provide assistance by working with individual cases, arranging for contacts with parents, and performing similar services.
Administrative Responsibility: Operations Division - Transportation Services
Latest Revision Date: February 2009
Previous Revision Date: March 1999 P7310
Updated administratively for alignment purposes: April 2021