Guidelines for Bus Safety

TJS provides transportation services to students who meet eligibility requirements contained in the Board of Education Policy Eligibility for Student Transportation.

TJS is responsible for the student supervision as soon as they enter the bus in the morning and until they leave the bus or are released to a parent/guardian. Bus drivers, parents/guardians and school staff are responsible for teaching, modeling, and reinforcing positive behavior expectations to all students. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children know and understand these standards of conduct. The bus and bus stops are an extension of the school. Misbehavior on the bus could lead to consequences at the school as well.

Students who continue to engage in unacceptable behavior will result in loss of busing privileges, including bus transportation for field trips. The Director, Transportation Coordinator and/or Student Support Team will determine what the student’s consequences are for the misbehavior utilizing the guidelines found below. A manifestation determination will happen before initiating any loss of bus privileges of a student with a disability (Minn. Stat. § 121A.43(d)). If there is a loss of busing privileges, it would apply to all busing services for the school, unless otherwise specified by school staff.

Minnesota Statute 121.59 provides that transportation service is a privilege, not a right, that is granted to the student contingent upon proper behavior in accordance with the school’s behavioral standards, but not limited to, and are found below:

 

Behavior Guidelines and Consequences

Class I Violations

1. Spitting
2. Excessive noise inside the bus
3. Horseplay, mischief, distracting behavior
4. Eating, drinking, littering on the bus
5. Leaving seat, standing without permission from driver, walking up and down aisle
6. Misuse of liquid containers including water bottles, soda pop, etc. in any form
7. Profanity, verbal abuse harassment, obscene gestures or possession of unacceptable materials
8. False identification, refusal to identify student’s name
9. Riding on an unassigned bus or using an unassigned bus stop
10. Opening window past safety line/midway point
11. Riding or attempting to ride any bus while under a loss of bus privileges
12. Disobedient to the driver, staff and others
13. Misuse of technology

Disciplinary Response: Class I

Bus drivers will communicate and work with the Director, Transportation Coordinator and/or Student Support Team regarding student misbehavior.

Class I Violations	Disciplinary Response
1st Violation:	Warning
2nd Violation:	1-5 day loss of bus privileges
3rd Violation:	(1) 5 – 10 days minimum loss of bus privileges (2) Loss of all transportation services (3) Parent/ Director, Transportation Coordinator and/or Student Support Team Meeting
4th Violation:	Possible total loss of transportation services

Class II Violations

1. Hanging out of window, yelling out the window
2. Throwing or shooting of any object on the bus or out the bus
3. Bullying and/or physical assault/aggression against any person
4. Profanity and threats directed toward driver/staff and others
5. Possession and/or use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or any other controlled substance
6. Vandalism to any part of the bus (restitution will be made)
7. Holding on to, or attempting to hold on to, any portion of the exterior of the bus
8. Any “Danger Zone” infringement (must walk 10 feet out from the bumper of the school bus to be seen by the driver at all times)
9. Lighting of matches, lighters, or any flammable object or substance
10. Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door
11. Tampering with bus equipment
12. Possession or threat of weapons, explosives, flammables, etc.
13. Possession or use of laser pens/pointers
14. Any violation committed on any bus outside of regular transportation to and from school (activity, field trip, shuttles, etc.) will carry a minimum penalty of a class II first violation.

  Disciplinary Response: Class II

Bus drivers will communicate and work with the Director, Transportation Coordinator and/or Student Support Team regarding student misbehavior.

Class II Violations	Disciplinary Response
1st Violation:	5 day loss of bus privileges
2nd Violation:	10 day loss of bus privileges
3rd Violation:	(1) 10 days minimum loss of bus privileges (2) Loss of all transportation services (3) Parent/ Director, Transportation Coordinator and/or Student Support Team Meeting
4th Violation:	Possible total loss of transportation services