Jerome Joint School District No. 261

NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS 8140

Student Conduct on Buses

The bus driver will be in charge of the bus at all times. Students will not initiate or participate in an activity that in

any way interferes with the operation of the bus or the safety of others riding the bus or that violates any other

part of the District’s discipline policy.

Students who, in the judgment of the bus driver, violate the rules of good and safe conduct shall be reported to

the principal of the building the student attends. The principal and/or the bus contractor shall determine the

proper discipline of the student, up to and including loss of riding privileges for the remainder of the school year.

Standards of ethics and behavior are necessary for the safe and orderly operation of busses. Students are expected to:

1. Be on time for the bus.

2. Observe good pedestrian practices in approaching bus stops, stay well off the roadway when waiting for the bus, and respect private property at the bus stop.

3. Wait in an orderly line and avoid horseplay.

4. Enter or leave the bus through the entry door unless directed otherwise.

5. Go directly to an available seat, be seated and remain seated until the bus stops for students to unload.

6. Keep all parts of the body inside the bus except when unloading.

7. Follow directions from the driver promptly and cheerfully.

8. Treat others and equipment on the bus with respect and courtesy.

9. Refrain from using profane language.

10. Refrain from use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances.

11. Eating or drinking on the bus is not allowed.

12. Refrain from carrying hazardous materials, objects, weapons, or animals on the bus.

13. Will not board or leave the bus other than at their assigned stop or assigned school.

14. Any electronic equipment used by a passenger shall not cause a distraction to the driver (i.e. camera

flash). The bus driver has the authority to determine the definition of a distraction based on time of day

and driving conditions.

15. Electronic equipment such as cell phones and other devices equipped with a camera may not be used to take pictures of students or in any way harass another student.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish written rules of conduct for students riding school buses. Such

rules shall be reviewed annually by the Superintendent and revised if necessary. If the rules are substantially

revised, they shall be submitted to the Board for approval.

A copy of the rules of conduct for students riding buses shall be provided to students at the beginning of the year.

The classroom teacher and bus driver shall review the rules with the students at the beginning of each school year.

A copy of the rules shall be posted in each bus and shall be available upon request at the District office and in each building principal’s office.

The bus driver shall be responsible for enforcing the rules, and shall work closely with the parent and building

principal to modify a student’s behavior. The rules shall include consistent consequences for student misbehavior.

Denial and Termination of Bus Privileges

Riding a bus is not an undeniable right. It is a privilege that each rider retains by maintaining appropriate behavior

while loading, riding and unloading.

The bus driver will first try to convey to the offending student the seriousness of the violation of any of the Rules of

Student Conduct. A bus conduct report may be used for this purpose. If violations continue, the bus driver will

refer the student to the principal of their school. The principal will seek to impress upon the student the need for

improvement in bus conduct. The principal and the district bus contractor may suspend the student’s bus

privileges.

•  First suspension will be for three days.

•  Second suspension will be for five days.

•  Third suspension will be for the remainder of the school year.

The student must be returned home during the afternoon run if the notification of suspension is done after the

student has been transported to school.

Any suspension may be appealed to the superintendent. Suspensions for the remainder of the year may be

appealed to the Board of Trustees. All appeals must be in writing. Appeals made to the Board of Trustees will be

addressed at their next regular meeting.

Recommendations for permanent termination of bus privileges will be referred to the Superintendent for final

determination. The termination may be appealed to the Board. No further appeal shall be allowed.

A recommendation to terminate bus privileges shall be accompanied by a written record of the incident(s) that led

to the recommendation. Said written record shall be provided to the parent/guardian of the student whose bus

privileges are being revoked.

Cross Reference: 3330 Student Discipline

8130 Transportation of Students with Disabilities

Legal Reference: I.C. § 33-1501 Transportation authorized

I.C. § 33-205 Denial of school attendance

Policy History:

Adopted on: 12/19/2006

Revised on: 12/18/2012