Student Conduct Aboard The Bus

By law, bus drivers have absolute jurisdiction over the conduct of all pupils while riding the bus. The bus driver has a valuable passenger load, and for this reason, the driver must be responsible, not only for the bus, but also for the conduct of all the pupils on the bus.

Title V (CAC) states: (Section 14105) – “Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to the driver of the bus. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the bus driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation in accordance with regulations of the governing board of the district. The driver of any school bus shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils transported. No bus driver shall require any pupil to leave the bus before such pupil has reached his/her destination.”

Please note that video surveillance cameras are used on many district buses. Boarding the bus is consent to audio and video recording and may be used in disciplinary proceedings.

Student Conduct Aboard The Bus

Students are required to:

• Carry their bus pass, which identifies the student and their correct bus stop, at all times.
• Arrive at the bus stop five (5) minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• Use only his/her assigned bus stop.
• Respect the rights and property of others on the bus and at the bus stop.
• Always enter and exit the bus through the entrance door, except in emergencies.
• Remain quiet at railroad crossings.
• Keep all parts of the body inside the bus.
• Keep windows closed unless otherwise instructed by the bus operator.
• Help keep the bus safe and free from litter by not eating, drinking or chewing gum on the bus.
• Be courteous and respectful to the bus operator, other students, and passersby.
• Obey the request of the bus operator at all times.
• Advance permission is required when leaving the bus at other than the student’s appropriate bus stop. The request must in writing, signed by the parent/guardian and approved by the site administrator and/or designee.
• Always cross in front of the bus when it is necessary to cross the street.

Prohibited Items:

• Animals of any kind (except service animals)
• Hazardous or destructive objects of any kind, such as firearms, weapons, glass objects or containers, explosives, sharp or pointed objects, skateboards, balls, bats, balloons, or pressurized canisters.
• Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or tobacco products.
• Fighting, pushing and rough play while at the bus stop, on the bus, or when getting on and off the bus.
• Profane language, obscene gestures, excessive or unnecessary noise.
• Damaging or defacing any part of the bus, tampering with the radio, bus controls, emergency exits or other equipment, yelling at or throwing objects inside or outside of the bus, or in any way endangering the safety of others.

Discipline Process

Rules are in place to insure a safe and comfortable ride for all students. Students who violate the rules and regulations will receive a Bus Conduct Report and will be subject to a normal progression of penalties.

In cases of serious misconduct, students may be assigned penalties more severe than provided for in the normal process.

All other school district rules and regulations, together with other penalties, shall apply to conduct on buses and shall be administered by the Principal or other appropriate school authority.

The Principal or his/her designee is responsible for notifying the parent of all violations. The expected progression of penalties for violations of the rules and regulations on the bus are:

If a parent wishes to appeal a bus suspension, contact must be made with the Principal to arrange a meeting that will include the principal (or his/her designee), the Transportation Director or Supervisor, the bus operator, the parent and the student (if requested). Reminder, many buses are equipped with video surveillance cameras, which will be considered in the disciplinary process.