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Transportation
Transportation Director
Rick Smith
Phone - 755-7255
Valley Center School District Rules for Riding Busses School board policy JGG-R: All students in our school system who ride a bus are subject to passenger rules and procedures until they get off the bus at their school or the bus stop near their home. Students must conduct themselves on the bus, as they should at their own schools. 1. Students may be required to walk a short distance to the bus stop. Usually a few blocks in the city or a little more in rural areas, depending on turnaround access. 2. Passengers should be prompt in reporting to the bus stop. Usually, a five-minute arrival before the scheduled stop is ample time. Schedules should normally be consistent, within a minute or two once the route gets established. There will be a few exceptions: the first week of school while routes are being finalized, when a substitute driver is driving, unforeseen traffic delays, and/or inclement weather conditions. 3. “Honk service” or “door to door” is not feasible. There may be days, especially during inclement weather, when passengers must seek shelter until bus arrival. In these cases, passengers should be alert and prepared to board the bus without delay at the regular stop when the bus arrives. 4. Passenger shall remain seated when the bus is in motion. When boarding the bus, students should move immediately to their assigned seat. Students should be alert and prepared to depart the bus at the appropriate stop, causing no delay. The bus driver shall assign seats for the purpose of maintaining passenger control, to aid substitute drivers in student identification, and reasonable administrative purposes. 5. While waiting for the bus, students are encouraged to stand a safe distance from the roadway or thoroughfare until the bus has come to a complete stop. 6. Students shall cross 10 feet in front of the bus, never behind. If it is necessary for a student to cross a lane of traffic to board or after departing, they must make eye contact with the driver and wait for the driver to motion them across. Once signaled by the driver, the student should proceed with caution by looking both ways after the bus’s stop sign as been exhibited and red flashing lights are on. 7. In case of a bus accident or breakdown, passengers should be orderly and follow the directions of the bus driver. 8. Students wanting to ride on a bus other than their assigned bus must bring a signed note, in advance, from their parent/guardian and have it signed by the school principal. 9. Students cannot get off the bus at any stop but their assigned bus stop without written permission from the parent and the school principal. 10. Certain activities or items are not allowed on the bus, including, but not limited to, eating, drinking, animals of any kind (including show & tell days), glass containers, radios and/or tape/CD players, or other electronic devices/games. 11. Parents and students are responsible for the cost of repairs for damaged bus property caused by the students. 12. Student misconduct on a school bus can endanger the lives of other students, the drivers and the general public. The driver shall report such incidents to the Transportation Supervisor via a Bus Discipline Report. The Transportation Supervisor shall give each building principal a copy of each report. If three reports are issued during a 90-day (one semester equivalent) time period, student will face suspension from riding the bus. Subsequent notices could result in a conference with students and parents. Types of passenger misconduct which may result in the student’s loss of riding privileges include, but are not limited to:
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Policy for Disciplining Pupils |
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The first time a student creates a disturbance, the driver will verbally warn the student concerning the rule violated. If the student misconduct continues, a written conduct notice will be issued. If a written conduct notice is issued, the driver will call the parent/guardian and send a copy of the written notice to the parents and administration. Further written conduct notices shall be referred to the appropriate attendance administrator for disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may result in suspension of bus-riding privileges. If a third written conduct notice within a 90-day period is issued, a student’s bus privileges shall be automatically suspended. A building principal shall determine the number of days for the suspension of bus privileges. The suspension could be up to 90 days depending on the severity of the misconduct |
| Immediate Suspension |
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An immediate suspension is an action that will occur immediately if the incident is serious and/or jeopardizes the safety of the passengers. Examples of severe behavior, which may result in an immediate suspension include but are not limited to: fighting, weapons, alcohol, smoking, drugs and verbal, physical or sexual harassment or abuse. Furthermore, additional discipline may result in suspension from the school on a case-by-case basis. |
| Appeal Procedure |
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A parent/guardian/student desiring to appeal the issuance of a misconduct notice or subsequent punishment may do so in accordance to school board policy by contacting their child’s attendance center principal. The appeal shall be heard within five (5) school days of the request unless an extension is requested in writing by the parent. The request for an appeal hearing shall temporarily restrain the implementation of a suspension unless the transportation supervisor or the building principal determines; that in the interests of bus safety, or good order, the suspension is necessary or the hearing cannot be conducted in a timely manner. |
| Transportation Contact |
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School board policy JGG-R: All students in our school system who ride a bus are subject to passenger rules and procedures until they get off the bus at their school or the bus stop near their home. Students must conduct themselves on the bus, as they should at their own schools. |
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