Cologne Academy Busing Policies and Procedures

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide for the transportation of students consistent with the requirements of law.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

A. It is the policy of the school district to provide for the transportation of students in a manner which will protect their health, welfare and safety.

B. The school district recognizes that transportation is a privilege and not a right for an eligible student.

III. ELIGIBILITY

A. Upon the request of a parent or guardian, the school district shall provide transportation to and from school, at the expense of the school district, for all resident students (reside within district 108) who reside two miles or more from the school or if they have to cross an unsafe area to get to school, except for those students whose transportation privileges have been revoked or have been voluntarily surrendered by the student’s parent or guardian.
B. For pupils who reside outside the district in which the charter school is located, the charter school is not required to provide or pay for transportation between the pupil’s residence and the border of the district in which the charter school is located. A ridership fee may apply for those seeking transportation. A parent may be reimbursed by the charter school for costs of transportation from the pupil’s residence to the border of the district in which the charter school is located if the pupil is from a family whose income is at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government. The reimbursement may not exceed the pupil’s actual cost of transportation or 15 cents per mile traveled, whichever is less. Reimbursement may not be paid for more than 250 miles per week.

IV. AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES

Transportation shall be provided on all regularly scheduled school days or make-up days.

V. MANNER OF TRANSPORTATION

The scheduling of routes, establishment of the location of bus stops, manner and method of transportation, control and discipline of school children and any other matter relating thereto shall be within the sole discretion, control and management of the school board and the transportation provider.
VI. RESTRICTIONS AND Training
All students in grades kindergarten through tenth grade shall receive bus safety training.  Training shall be completed by all K-3 students by the third week of school and by all 4^th – 10^th grade students by the end of the sixth week of school.  Later enrollees shall complete safety training within four weeks of enrollment.  Any student who fails to demonstrate competency may be denied transportation unless failure is due to a disability.  Upon completion of training the students shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:

1. Transportation by school bus is a privilege, not a right;
2. District policies for student conduct and school bus safety;
3. Appropriate conduct while on the bus;
4. The danger zones surrounding a school bus;
5. Procedures for safely boarding and leaving a school bus;
6. Procedures for safe vehicle lane crossing;
7. School bus evacuation and other emergency procedures.

Transportation by the school district is a privilege and not a right for an eligible student. A student’s eligibility to ride a school bus may be revoked for a violation of school bus safety or conduct policies, or violation of any other law governing student conduct on a school bus pursuant to the school district’s discipline policy and subject to the provisions of Federal and State statutes.

VII. FEES

A. The school district may charge fees for transportation of students to and from school when authorized by law.  If the school district charges fees for transportation of students to and from school, guidelines shall be established for that transportation to ensure that no student is denied transportation solely because of inability to pay.

1. School Bus and Bus Stop Rules.

The school bus safety rules are to be posted on every bus:

1. The bus driver is the responsible authority on the bus.
2. Students will board and leave the buses only at specifically designated stops.
3. Students will remain at a safe distance from the bus when buses are arriving or departing from their stops.
4. Pick-up times are established, and students will be waiting 5 minutes before pick up time at designated stops.
5. Students will go directly to their seats.  Students will stay seated when the bus is moving.
6. Backpacks, musical instruments, and other large items must be handled by students in such a way as to not come into contact with other students or obstruct the aisles.
7. For safety and cleanliness, gum, food, and drink are prohibited.
8. Only authorized students may ride the buses.  Non-regular riders must secure written permission to ride a specific bus.
9. Drivers will assign seats to all elementary students and may assign seats to middle school students when necessary.  Students will remain seated at all times.  Drivers and administrators may make specific seat assignments.
10. When crossing a road, whether boarding or leaving a bus, students will walk in front of the bus after the driver signals that it is safe to cross.
11. Students will not engage in noisy or boisterous conduct which might distract the driver.
12. Students will not use profane or indecent language.

If these rules are broken, the school’s discipline procedures are to be followed.  Consequences are progressive and may include suspension of bus privileges. It is the school bus driver’s responsibility to report unacceptable behavior to an appropriate school official.

2. Rules at the Bus Stop

a. The school bus driver will generally not wait for late students.

b. Respect the property of others while waiting at your bus stop.

c. Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.

d. Use appropriate language.

e. Stay away from the street, road or highway when waiting for the bus.

f. Wait until the bus stops before approaching the bus.

g. After getting off the bus, move away from the bus.

h. If you must cross the street, always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Wait for the driver to signal to you before crossing the street.

i. No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.

j. No use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.

3. Rules on the Bus

a. Immediately follow the directions of the driver.

b. Sit in your seat facing forward.

c. Talk quietly and use appropriate language.

d. Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.

e. Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.

f. No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.

g. Do not throw any object.

h. No eating, drinking, or use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

i. Do not bring any weapons or dangerous objects on the school bus.

j. Do not damage the school bus.

4. Consequences

a. Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will apply to all routes. Decisions regarding a student’s ability to ride the bus in connection with co-curricular and extracurricular events (for example, field trips) will be in the sole discretion of the school. Parents or guardians will be notified of any suspension of bus privileges. The school’s disciplinary code will be consulted for all decisions regarding consequences. Depending on the nature of the offense, consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school also may result from school bus/bus stop misconduct.

Vandalism/Bus Damage

Students damaging school buses will be responsible for the damages. Failure to pay such damages (or make arrangements to pay) within two weeks may result in the loss of bus privileges until damages are paid.

Criminal Conduct

In cases involving criminal conduct (for example, assault, weapons, possession or vandalism), the appropriate school personnel and local law enforcement officials will be informed.

IX. PARENT AND GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT

A. Parent and Guardian Notification

Parents and guardians are asked to review appropriate bus behaviors with their children.

B. Parents/Guardians Responsibilities for Transportation Safety

Parents/Guardians are responsible to:

1. Become familiar with school rules, policies, regulations, and the principles of school bus safety, and thoroughly review them with their children;

2. Support safe riding and walking practices, and recognize that students are responsible for their actions;

3. Communicate safety concerns to their school administrators;

4. Monitor bus stops, if possible;

5. Have their children to the bus stop five minutes before the bus arrives, properly dressed for the weather; and

6. Have a plan in case the bus is late.

X. SCHOOL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

A. If possible, school bus drivers or their supervisors shall call 911 or the local emergency phone number in the event of a serious emergency.

B. Emergency Health Information shall be maintained on the school bus for students requiring special transportation service because of their handicapping condition.

The information shall state:

1. the pupil’s name and address;

2. the nature of the pupil’s disabilities;

3. emergency health care information; and

4. the names and telephone numbers of the pupil’s physician, parents, guardians, or custodians, and some person other than the pupil’s parents or custodians who can be contacted in case of an emergency.