TRANSPORTATION POLICY
(Bus)

POLICY STATEMENT:

The following policy document represents the common policies relative to student transportation under jurisdiction of the Fort Smith District Education Authority:

The Education Act states that a board “may provide transportation” for pupils enrolled in schools operated by the Board. Transportation to and from school is provided to students as a privilege and not a right. Transporting students within the community is a shared responsibility with the Fort Smith District Education Authority (FSDEA), parents and students, schools staff and the contractor. Regulations with respect to student transportation reflect the need for the safe and efficient transportation of students. Policy sets out the terms and conditions under which the DEA may provide transportation.

Regulations

  • There will be one bus operating during the morning (am school start) and afternoon (school dismissal) on a daily basis except for early dismissal and/or STIP.

  • This bus will service the Town only.

  • For reasons of safety and efficiency, students are permitted to exit the bus at their approved stop. Students requiring an alternate destination must have expressed written permission from parent/guardian or school personnel.

  • At times through the school year, bus service may be interrupted by school extracurricular trips. Ridership will be notified of these events as the need arises in order that families can make alternate arrangements.

  • Bus passes must be worn and visible at all times and shown to the bus driver if he/she requests to see valid pass.

  • Safety of the students, staff and volunteers riding on the bus is of paramount concern. While riding the bus, students are to behave in a safe manner and respect the general school rules of respecting all staff and others (ie: no shouting, hitting, standing or the use of profanity/swearing). Students are to sit at all times, and are only to get up from their seat when departing the bus, or if instructed to move to a different seat by the bus driver. Ridership is a privilege and not a right which may be withdrawn at the discretion of the driver and/or the Principal at any time should there be a violation of these regulations or the safety of the passengers is threatened. Failure to abide by the rules will result in the following:

1st Offence – Bus driver will issue a verbal warning to the student(s) involved at the first safe opportunity. The driver will also report the incident to the school administration, which will notify the parents/guardians.

2nd Offence – Same as the first offence, but the bus privileges would be revoked for a school week (5 days). Parents will be given one school day to make alternate arrangements for transportation for their child.

3rd Offence – Same as first and second offence, but bus privileges would be revoked for the remainder of the semester. Parents will be given one school day to make alternate arrangements for transportation for their child. The semesters will follow the scheduled breaks in the school year:

First Term – August to December

Second Term – January to spring break

Third Term – April to June

Students who are persistent in disobeying the bus rules may have privileges revoked for the entire school year.********

Students must exit the bus at their regular stop. If alternate arrangements are necessary the school must be notified in writing or by phone as to the alternate location and period of time the change will be in effect. School staff will notify the bus driver of necessary changes.

Part B

Bus passes are issued specific to a person. If someone is caught using another person’s bus pass, it will be confiscated and returned to its rightful owner. The individual abusing the bus pass will be removed from the bus and parents/guardians contacted. If the behaviour persists, the above policy will come into effect on the second offence.

Cold Weather:

  • When the reported temperature is below -39C school bus will not be expected to travel outside of Fort Smith property,

  • When the reported temperature is below -39C no school bus will be expected to run,

Guidelines and Eligibility:

The Policy regarding rider eligibility is as follows: Bus passes will be issued on a first come first served basis with priority still being K-3.

Exceptions:

Exceptions may be made to the above ridership regulations and considered on a case by case basis. Examples of exceptions may include (but are not limited to) special needs students with mobility needs.

Fees and Payment:

Fees for bus service will be reviewed and adjusted annually during the DEA AGM. Current fee breakdown is: $40.00 a month AND IS DUE ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH PASSES WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED FIRST.

Please DO NOT PAY IN COINS, EXACT CASH IN PAPER ONLY or cheque, PAYMENT WILL BE RETURNED IF PAID IN COIN AS THE DEA IS CHARGED A FEE FOR DEPOSITING COINS by the bank which in turn takes away from the actual payment for the bussing fee, thank you for your understanding. When paying in person there is no debit/credit card payment available in the DEA office, and no cash kept in the office to issue change.

If you have any questions regarding bussing you may contact our Fort Smith DEA Secretary/Treasurer by phone at (867) 872-2011 or via email at fsdea@ssdec.nt.ca. If the DEA secretary is unavailable, you may also contact JBT Principal Tiffany Kelly by phone at (867) 872-4528 ext. 1001 or our school Secretary Marie MacDonald by phone (867) 872-4528 or by email mmacdonald@ssdec.org

Mahsi/Marsi/Kinanaskomitin/Quana/Marsee/Merci/Thank You!