Bus Conduct

State of West Virginia

State Department of Education

Division of School Transportation

REGULATIONS FOR PUPILS TRANSPORTED IN SCHOOL BUSES

(Approved by the State Board of Education)

To be posted in a prominent place in each school bus and enforced by the bus operator

1.  Pupils shall be ready at the scheduled time. The bus cannot wait for those who are tardy.

2.  The bus operator is in charge of the bus and passengers. Passengers must obey the operator promptly and respectfully.

3.    Pupils will observe the following:

(a)   Cooperate with and respect any monitor on duty.

(b)   Walk on left side of road facing traffic.

(c)   Never stand or play on roadway while waiting for a school bus.

(d)   Have shoes clean before entering bus. This should be done before bus arrives.

(e)   Avoid unnecessary conversation with bus operator.

(f)    Except for ordinary conversation, observe classroom conduct to avoid distracting the bus operator.

(g)   The use of profane and immoral language, tobacco and alcohol is prohibited.

(h)   Arms and head must be kept inside bus windows at all times.

(i)    Get on or off bus or change seats in the bus only when it is not in motion and with permission of the bus operator.

(j)    Proceed safely, but alertly, when getting on or off bus, or when crossing roadway.

(k)   If emergency exits are not securely latched, notify the bus operator immediately.

(1)   No object of any nature shall be thrown or passed into or from the bus.

(m)  Passengers seated in the bus shall admit other passengers boarding the bus to vacant spaces in the seat or scats they occupy.

4. Two of the most careful and mature pupils being transported may be appointed by the operator and/or principal to serve as bus monitors. Some of the duties of these monitors may be as follows:

(a) Have all pupils aboard the bus seated, if possible, before the bus is moved from the loading point at a school.

(b) Assist the bus operator through encouraging pupils to remain in an orderly and safe position when the bus arrives at the bus stop.

(c) Assist the bus operator in his duties for the safety of all pupils transported.

(d) No passenger, including bus monitor, may ride in the step well or forward of the front row of seats.

(e) Pupils to be transported shall provide required information to the bus operator.

5. Two pupils in addition lo those mentioned above, may be appointed to assist at the emergency door exit during emergency exits, practice drills or demonstrations for such exits. More mature passengers should be assigned such responsibility.

6. Should any passenger persist in violating any of these rules and regulations, proper procedures will be followed by the bus operator and school administrative personnel to establish control and maintain safety. Written notice of any action being taken shall be furnished the parent through the board of education but such notice need not precede action by the bus operator in an emergency.

7. Any complaints of operators, pupils or parents, not specified in the above rules shall be reported promptly to the principal, transportation director or county superintendent.

PERIODIC INSTRUCTION

School principals, teachers and bus operators shall work cooperatively in instructing all school pupils in rules and regulations governing transported pupils. Special emphasis should be given pupil discipline while being transported on curricular and extracurricular trips other than to and from school. The county board of education shall furnish a copy of the above regulations to the following persons: superintendents, principals, and teachers for schools where pupils are transported; directors of transportation, bus operators, attendance directors and parents.

WVDE-42-10-50

3/24/78