Transportation of Students

The School Board may furnish transportation to resident students enrolled in its schools who satisfy the following requirements:

1. Reside with a parent within the attendance zone of schools served;

2. Reside beyond approved walking distances;

3. Are present at authorized points for student pick-up at designated times; and

4. Comply with division standards and regulations for conduct and behavior.

Student Conduct on School Buses and in Other Transportation Vehicles

In the interest of safety and welfare of school passengers, the School Board desires the Superintendent and designees to establish and enforce strict transportation discipline and safety regulations. Students who do not conform to all regulations and directives concerning discipline, safety and conduct or whose behavior could be detrimental to the safety or welfare of others or safe operation of the school bus or other transportation vehicle may have their riding privileges suspended or revoked in accordance with this policy.

Procedural Guidelines

The following general procedural guidelines should be followed when administering this policy:

1. Initially, drivers should try to resolve the discipline problem or violation of rules directly with students involved. Drivers will also attempt to confer with parents and request their cooperation in resolving the problem. Such actions should be documented by the driver.

2. For problems not resolved by step 1 or in cases of more serious discipline or safety problems, a discipline referral may be made to the principal or designee. In such cases, unless more severe sanctions appear warranted, the administrator will give the student a formal warning, notify his or her parents and provide them with a copy of the discipline referral.

3. If a problem occurs which results in a second discipline referral or, in the case of an initial discipline referral involving a serious discipline or safety problem, the following procedure shall apply:

a) The administrator will advise the student orally or in writing of the charges.

b) If the student denies the charges, the administrator will explain evidence against the student and give him or her an opportunity to present his side of the incident.

c) If, on the basis of this discussion, the administrator believes the student to be guilty of the misconduct charged, he may suspend the student’s riding privileges for up to five school days.

d) The administrator shall immediately notify parents of the suspension of their child’s riding privileges, grounds for and duration of such suspension and time and place for parents to meet with the administrator to review the suspension. Such meeting shall be held prior to reinstatement of the student’s riding privileges. Parents shall also be provided with a copy of the discipline referral.

4. If a student, who has previously had riding privileges suspended during the current school year, receives another discipline referral, the administrator will follow procedures in steps 3.a. through d. above with the following modifications:

a) If the administrator believes the student to be guilty of the misconduct charged, he may suspend the student’s riding privileges for up to 10 school days; and

b) The student’s riding privileges will not be reinstated until a meeting with parents and the administrator has taken place or until, in the discretion of administrator, parents have substantially agreed to review the suspension. The administrator may also reinstate such privileges when parents cannot be contacted or they repeatedly fail to appear for scheduled meetings.

5. If a student, who has had riding privileges suspended twice previously during the school year, receives another discipline referral, the administrator will follow procedures in steps 3.a. through d. above with the following modifications:

a) If the administrator believes the student to be guilty of the misconduct charged, he may suspend the student’s riding privileges for up to 30 school days; and

b) The student’s riding privileges will not be reinstated until a meeting with the student, parents, driver, administrator, transportation supervisor and director of transportation has taken place.

6. In cases of severe and/or continuing problems, the administrator or director of transportation may, after following steps in 3.a. through d. above, suspend privileges for an additional 15 days, during which time an informal hearing will be scheduled before the Superintendent with the student, parents and division officials for the purpose of considering revocation of the student’s riding privileges for the remainder of the current school year.

7. An appeal may be taken to the School Board from any decision of the Superintendent revoking a student’s riding privileges.

8. These guidelines shall not preclude the administrator or director of transportation from eliminating any of the steps in the process, if in his or her judgment the misconduct by a student warrants more severe action.

This policy and applicable regulations shall not be limited in their application to riding privileges alone but shall also extend to all transportation provided and supervised by the school division. Violations of the GCPS Student Code of Conduct by students at bus stops shall be reported and acted upon in the same manner as such violations on buses or other transportation vehicles.

Nothing contained in this policy shall preclude imposition of other disciplinary measures as appropriate, including suspension or expulsion from school, in accordance with other division policies and procedures.