SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT & RULES

Bus transportation is a privilege extended only to students who display good conduct while preparing to ride, riding or leaving the bus. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a student to be denied transportation.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish regulations related to bus conduct, bus driver authority, and the suspension of riding privileges. The Governing Board shall make these rules available to parents/guardians and students.

(Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 14103)

(cf. 3540 et seq. Transportation)

(cf. 3543 - Procedures for Emergencies; Safety)

(cf. 3541 .1 - Transportation for Students with Disabilities or Handicaps)

Video cameras may be used on schoolbuses to monitor student behavior while traveling to and from school and school activities. The Board believes that such monitoring will deter misconduct and help to ensure the safety of students and staff. Students found to be in violation of the district’s bus conduct rules shall be subject to discipline in accordance with district policy and regulations.

(cf. 3515.4 - Recovery for Property Loss or Damage)

(cf. 5144 - Discipline)

At the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, schoolbus video recordings also may be used to resolve complaints by students and/or parents/guardians and to help employees maintain discipline.

Legal References:

EDUCATION CODE

35160 Authority of governing boards

39800 Transportation

44808 Duty to supervise conduct of students

48918 Expulsion procedures

49061 Definition of student records

49073-49079 Privacy of student records

Because school bus passengers’ behavior can directly affect their safety and the safety of others, the following regulations apply at all times when students are riding a school bus, including school activity trips.

1 . Riders shall follow the instructions and directions of the bus driver at all times.

2. Riders should arrive at the bus stop on time and stand in a safe place to wait quietly for the bus.

3. Riders shall enter the bus in an orderly manner and go directly to their seats.

4. Riders shall remain seated while the bus is in motion and shall not obstruct the aisle with their legs, feet, or other objects. When reaching their destination, riders shall remain seated until the bus stops and only then enter the aisle and go directly to the exit.

5 . Riders should be courteous to the driver and to fellow passengers.

6. Because serious safety hazards can result from noise or behavior that distracts the driver, loud talking, laughing, yelling, singing, whistling, scuffling, throwing objects, smoking, eating, drinking, standing and changing seats are prohibited actions which may lead to suspension of riding privileges.

7. No part of the body, hands, arms or head should be put out of the window. Nothing should be thrown from the bus.

8. Riders shall help keep the bus and the area around the bus stop clean. Riders shall not damage or deface the bus or tamper with bus equipment.

9. No animals shall be allowed on the bus without express permission from the designee.

10. Riders should be alert for traffic when leaving the bus.

141O3.Authority of the Driver~

( a) Pupils transported in a school bus or in a school pupil activity bus shall be under the authority of. and responsible directly to, the driver of the bus, and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus or being escorted across a street, highway or road. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation. A bus driver shall not require any pupil to leave the bus enroute between home and school or other destinations. (b) Governing boards shall adopt rules to enforce this section. Such rules shall include, but not be limited to, specific administration procedures relating to suspension of riding privileges and shall be made available to parents, pupils, teachers, and other interested parties.

                                                                 NOTE

Authority cited: Section 3983 1, Education Code. Reference: Sections 39830 and 3983 1. Education Code. Cross-reference: Section 1217 (h) of Title 13, California Administrative Code.