We live very far from the school and there is not a bus stop for my child. How do I get my child to school?

Unfortunately, the State of California has decided that school bus service is not required for your child to receive an education, and does not provide school districts with funds to cover the cost of providing school buses for our regular education students. The district must use classroom funds to pay for school buses, and provides limited service to students who live the furthest distance from school. Bus fees help to maintain that service, which provides a bus ride for just over $1 per day, round trip. Fees and service areas are reviewed each year.

I’m concerned about a bus stop location near my house and the safety of the students.

Bus stops are placed in safe and efficient locations. The Transportation department will determine the appropriate action to accommodate the majority of students to minimize the time and length of the run. If you have concerns about your child’s safety, you are encouraged to accompany your child to the bus stop or arrange a neighborhood buddy to walk with your child.

We live within a non-service area, but very close to a bus stop for my child’s school. May my child ride the bus from the stop?

We do not permit a child to ride a school bus living within the non-service area.

My child goes to a daycare provider in an area with bus service. May my child ride the bus?

If both your residence address and the day care center address are within the boundary for that school, bus service may be available. The parent must provide the address of the day care center. The closest bus stop to that address will be assigned as the bus stop for that student. If you wish your child to be met at the bus stop, the day care provider will have to come to the stop to meet your child. Bus Drivers may not leave their bus to escort your child inside.

My child is attending school as an intra-district transfer are they eligible to ride a bus?

Intra-district transfers are not eligible for bus service. The Intradistrict Transfer Request form states “Under this agreement parents/guardians assume responsibility for transporting their child to and from school.

My child is a special education student. To whom should I speak concerning his/her transportation?

If it is an address change, please call student services at (916) 686-7780 ext:7496. For all other questions please call our special need department at (916) 686-7733 ext:7889

My child left an item (coat, glasses, instrument, retainer, books, etc) on the bus. How does he/she get it back?

Drivers and substitute drivers check their buses after each run. Contact your child’s bus driver the following day. Labeling all of your child’s belongings with your child’s name and school is helpful.

Why are school bus seats spaced so closely together?

Seats were re-designed to specific spacing, with full padding front and back, and increased back height for maximum impact protection. The newer designed seats provide a padded cavity for passenger compartmentalization. Crash tests prove this to be the most effective protection on impact.

Why aren’t seat belts required on school buses?

Schools buses are built using a special method called “compartmentalization”, which protects our students. Did you know that the National Highway and Traffic Administration spent years studying school bus safety and has determined your child is eight times safer riding in a California school bus than riding in your personal vehicle?

Do state regulations for school buses supersede federal requirements?

State Laws do not supersede federal requirements. If states add requirements for safety, they are additional to the federal requirements.

Why are buses sometimes late?

School bus drivers do all they can to remain on schedule; however, they do experience many conditions that can delay the bus such as traffic delays, weather conditions, roadway collisions or mechanical breakdowns. All students are asked to be at their bus stop five minutes prior to the departure time so that students are ready to load when the bus arrives and can remain on schedule. Buses usually run slowly the first few days of school as students learn their buses and drivers learn their students!

Why aren’t buses always available for field trips?

The first priority is to provide transportation to and from school. In addition, the department provides service for service for approximately 6,000 field trips each year on a first-come first serve basis.

How can I arrange to have my child ride a different bus home from school for one day?

The child’s parent or guardian must send a written request to the school, in advance. The school will sign the note and the student will give it to the driver.

Why is there not an attendant on every bus?

Attendants are only used for special needs students, who need assistance to ride successfully.

What if the bus is overcrowded?

When an overload occurs the driver contacts dispatch and another bus is sent to pick up the students.

What is the district doing to improve air quality for our students?

Go green and ride the bus! Our district operates one of the cleanest fleets in California, with 25 buses fueled by clean, compressed natural gas, and many of our buses are equipped with new filters which trap particulates that are harmful to young children. Each school bus takes approximately 30 cars off the road each day.

Are school buses safe?

Yes! The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration has determined that there is no safer method of transportation in the country than a California school bus. If you are concerned about safety, air quality, and traffic at our school sites, the solution is simple: Ride the Bus!