CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES (POLICY 5500.09)

I. School Bus Stops

Parents are responsible for providing the necessary assistance, protection and overall safety of their student while traveling to and from the assigned bus stop.

Parents are responsible for their child’s behavior at the bus stop prior to the arrival of the bus in the morning and after the departure of the bus at the end of the day. However, if a student is at the bus stop and violates the school rules, the school can still discipline the student for their behavior.

Some students may be assigned to an arterial bus stop. Each arterial bus stop is assigned a designated corner location, and students are required to be at this designated corner location for pick-up. Parents are responsible for ensuring their student’s safety while traveling to and from any arterial bus stop.

Students should arrive at the bus stop 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time and stand off the roadway in a safe location where they are outdoors and visible to the driver. Students should remain at the stop up to 30 minutes after the scheduled pick up time in case the bus is running late. Parents may also sign up to receive notification about their student’s bus route.

Students must follow all safety procedures when loading/unloading from the bus:

A. Be ready to board the bus,

B. Cross in front of the bus (10 to 12 ft),

C. Do not cross the street until stop arms are fully deployed and all traffic has stopped.

The district seeks to ensure the safety of all students who ride district buses and staff who operate them. Unauthorized individuals, including, but not limited to parents, students, and siblings may not board a school bus or attempt to conference with a bus driver or authorized rider while en route to or from school. Individuals who do not adhere to this expectation may face criminal prosecution for trespassing, in addition to other charges which may be brought pursuant to local and state law.

If a student causes any damage to the bus or another vehicle, the student’s parent shall be responsible to pay for the damage.

Any concerns related to transportation should be communicated to the school or the Transportation Department.

II. Conduct on a School Bus

A. Rules While on the Bus

By riding a school bus the student consents to the district recording video and audio while riding the bus. The bus driver is in charge, and the student must obey the driver’s instructions at all times. The student must provide the bus driver their correct name when asked. The bus driver and school will keep a seating chart. The student can be disciplined if they do not follow all district and school rules and the following special rules:

1. sit in the student’s assigned seat and use the seat belt, if available,

2. stay seated at all times while the bus is in motion,

3. do not put any part of a student’s body outside the bus windows,

4. do not distract the driver with loud conversation or noises,

5. do not eat on the bus,

6. maintain absolute silence at all times when the overhead dome lights are on for railroad crossings,

7. do not throw any items inside or outside of the bus or bus windows,

8. do not mark, cut or damage bus seats or the bus itself,

9. do not display signs from the bus,

10 .do not use obscene language or gestures,

11. no pushing/kicking/hitting/spitting,

12. no bullying, and

13. emergency door is only to be used when there is an emergency. If there is an emergency, the student must follow the driver’s instructions.

B. Things a Student Cannot Bring on a Bus

1. glass containers of any kind,

2. sharp objects,

3. balls,

4. bats,

5. roller skates and skateboards (unless secured in a proper carrying case or backpack),

6. cutting instruments of any kind with the exception of those required for school purposes that do not violate the Code of Student Conduct or Board Policy (these exceptions must be secured in a backpack at all times.),

7. any large or bulky item that interferes with proper seating of students (examples: large musical instruments or athletic equipment) (Items must fit on the student’s lap),

8. any animal (dead or alive),

9. batons, drum sticks, tennis rackets (unless in proper carrying case),

10. or any other item prohibited elsewhere in the Code of Student Conduct,

C. Discipline if a Student Does Not Follow the Rules

The School Board believes that all students, as well as the bus driver, should be able to ride safely on school buses. Therefore if a student misbehaves, they may be removed from the bus.

If a student commits minor infractions, the school bus driver has the authority to address their behavior. Minor infractions include but are not limited to:

1. chewing gum,

2. eating on the bus,

3. general use of profanity, or

4. being too loud and disruptive.

If a student causes repeated problems on the bus by doing something the bus driver considers a more serious rule violation, the bus driver will report the student to the school office. The bus driver will give the school a written referral about what the student did.

Major infractions include, but are not limited to:

1. sitting inappropriately;

2. throwing paper or items in or out of the bus;

3. spitting, roughhousing, fighting, pushing, kicking, hitting;

4. inappropriate touching;

5. not using assigned bus stop;

6. moving while bus is in motion;

7. noisy at railroad crossings;

8. unsafe street crossing;

9. possession of tobacco products, drugs or alcohol;

10. spraying scents or perfumes while in the bus;

11. weapons of any type; or

12. profanity directed to an adult.

School administrators can take any of the following disciplinary steps against a student for misbehaving at a bus stop or on a bus, and will notify the student’s parents, on an approved form, when they take any of these steps:

1. Warn the student that their behavior is not allowed and if repeated, may result in further discipline as well as suspension of bus riding privileges.

2. Discipline the student the same as if they had misbehaved at school.

3. Suspend the student from riding the bus. Parents are responsible for transporting their student to and from schools during the suspension from the school bus.

4. Expel the student from riding a school bus if previous discipline has not worked or if they commit a serious offense. The process by which a student is expelled from riding the bus is the same as the process for being expelled from school. The principal makes a recommendation to the superintendent, who then recommends it to the Board. If fewer than thirty (30) school days remain in the semester when the Board considers the issue, then the expulsion will include the remainder of the current semester as well as the designated semesters of expulsion.

Even if a student transfers to a new school, they will be held responsible for any previous incidents of bus misconduct from their previous school.
 

D. Appeal of Bus Suspension

A student’s parent may appeal a bus suspension by calling the school principal or assistant principal. The parent must come to the school and have a conference with a school administrator and a representative from the transportation department as part of the appeal. The student may be permitted to ride a bus pending the outcome of their bus suspension appeal as long as they behave. If expulsion has been recommended, a student cannot ride a bus until the Board rules on their expulsion.

If a student engages in violent or very unsafe behavior while riding the bus, the school shall additionally suspend their bus riding privileges until the school can hold a conference with the student’s parent. The school will then determine whether to take additional disciplinary steps, including bus expulsion, and whether to impose further rules for the student’s return to bus riding.

III. Electric Transportation Devices

Parents of students not riding school buses are solely responsible for providing necessary assistance, protection, and overall safety of their student while traveling to and from school.

An electric transportation device is any mode of transportation powered by an electric battery, regardless of classification or power, and includes, but is not limited to, electric bikes, electric scooters, and electric skateboards.

Possession of an electric transportation device on school board property is a privilege, and students who violate this policy may be prohibited from bringing such devices onto school board property and/or may be subject to discipline under the Code of Student Conduct.

Students who are prohibited by state law from operating an electric transportation device may not bring or possess the device on school board property.

A. Storage

Electric transportation devices must be parked in the designated bike compounds or racks. These devices must not block ingress or egress or be placed in any location that would compromise safety and access. It is the responsibility of the owner to lock and secure their electric transportation device.

B. Charging

Owners of electric transportation devices need to charge their equipment prior to arriving at school. Outlets at schools or other district sites may not be used for charging personal electric transportation devices.

C. Safety

Students must walk or carry their electric transportation devices upon entering and at all times while on school board property, including parking lots and pathways. In accordance with state law, students under 16 years of age and in possession of an electric bicycle must have a helmet with them while they are with their bicycle.

D. Responsibility/Liability for Electric Transportation Devices

Any student who chooses to bring an electric transportation device to school does so at their own risk and is personally responsible for the security of the device. School Board staff are not responsible for preventing theft, loss, damage, or vandalism to electric transportation devices brought onto school board property.

F.S. 1001.41, 1001.42, 1001.43, 1006.07(2)