FAQ's
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are times when your school bus may arrive later than the scheduled pickup/drop-off time. Some reasons for inconsistent times are road detours, traffic, inclement weather, discipline issues and mechanical difficulties. If your bus does not arrive within 10 minutes of your scheduled time, contact the Transportation Office at 257-5200 and they will advise you of the status of the bus.
Q: What should I do if my child misses the school bus?
A: If your child misses the bus because he/she was not at the bus stop on time, you will be responsible for transporting your child. DO NOT FOLLOW THE BUS AND ATTEMPT TO GET THE BUS TO PULL OVER WHILE IT IS ON ITS ROUTE. It is extremely unsafe for the bus to stop along the roadway to board your child. Children walking close to the side of the bus are in danger of getting seriously hurt.
Q: There is a different bus and/or driver for my child today, why?
A: Due to the scheduling of bus repairs and inspections, a spare bus will fill in for your regular bus when it is in the garage. If your driver is absent or is scheduled for a field/athletic trip, there will be a substitute driver to drive your child’s bus route. At times you will see a different bus number and a different driver. Don’t be concerned, this is just a combination of events.
Q: Why don’t you pick my child up in front of the house?
A: The Board of Education has adopted the following policy: High school and middle school students shall walk up to one (1) mile to bus stop or school. Elementary students shall walk up to one-half (1/2) mile to bus stop. The purpose of this service is to provide safe, efficient and economical transportation in a timely manner to the students of the school district in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Q: What is the transportation policy regarding children let off at the bus stop without a parent or guardian present?
A: Students in grades 4 through 12 will be let off at the bus stop without a parent or guardian present, unless you submit your request in writing to the Transportation Office. Kindergarten through grade 3 students will not be let off the bus unless a parent or guardian is at the stop to meet them. The student will be returned to the school and you will be responsible for contacting the school and picking your child up.
Q: Who is allowed to ride the school bus during the bus route?
A: For the safety of the students and the bus driver, only students assigned to the bus route are allowed on the bus. Parents, guardians, friends, etc. are not allowed to board the bus. If necessary, law enforcement personnel will be called to the bus stop to enforce this policy.
Q: Do I have to stop for a stopped school bus with the red lights flashing on school grounds?
A: ABSOLUTELY! The most dangerous violation of passing a stopped school bus occurs on school grounds while parents and guardians are picking up or dropping off children. The law states you must come to a complete stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. This includes when on school property. For the first offense, the penalty is a minimum of $250.00 to a maximum of $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days or both and five points on your license. Passing a stopped school bus can cost you a lot of money. But, of course, it can cost much, much more than that!
Q: Am I allowed to take my child off the bus at the school after they board the bus at dismissal time?
A: No. For the protection of the child, you must get permission from the school’s main office. A school official will escort you to the bus and tell the driver that it is all right to release the child to your custody. This may seem extreme, but given the climate of our society, we cannot be too careful when it comes to the welfare of your child.
Q: Are instruments allowed to be transported on the school bus?
A: The following instruments are small enough in size that a student can either place the instrument on their lap or between their legs as to not use a seating space on the school bus. Allowable: violin, viola, alto saxophone, trumpet, flute, piccolo, clarinet, percussion kit and hand held percussion, sticks and mallets. Note: All allowable instruments must be transported in cases which should remain closed on the bus at all times. The following instruments have been deemed by the Transportation and Music Departments to be too large to be transported by the school bus without taking a seating space. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to transport these instruments to and from school. Non-Allowable: 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 size cello, full size cello, string bass (any size), french horn, tuba, trumpet, tenor saxophone, bass trombone, baritone horn, floor toms, bass drum, cymbals, any marching percussion, snare drums and multicultural drums.