The information in this handbook is designed to help the substitute bus driver who is not familiar with all the regular route driver’s duties and obligations. This information will also act as a guide to bus drivers, teachers, activity sponsors, administrators, students and parents.
1. FOOD AND DRINKS ON THE BUS
Food and drinks are allowed on the bus only at the discretion of the bus driver. Under the normal conditions, the driver will determine if and when it is allowed. When in doubt, the substitute driver should not allow food or drinks on the bus.
2. ASSIGNED SEATS
The driver will assign students to seats as needed. Once assigned a seat, the student is not to move from that seat any time during the route. Drivers will have written instructions as to which students are assigned to a numbered seat. Assigned seats will not be made as a general rule on activity trips.
3. STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Student who act out on the bus may be warned by the driver. If the student continues to misbehave, the driver may stop the bus, set the brake, get out of the driver’s seat, then talk to the problem student. The third step the driver can use is to complete a discipline referral on any student that misbehaves. Drivers may warn students, talk to them, caution them, but if all fails, a written form is to be completed and given to the transportation director. The transportation director will determine the punishment of the student.
The following requirements shall apply to all passengers when transported in a school bus.
1. The bus driver shall be in charge of all passengers while they are riding, loading on or unloading from the bus.
2. The bus driver shall have the authority to assign seat to each passenger.
3. Students shall not stand in the traveled portion of a roadway while waiting for a bus.
4. Students shall not extend any part of their body out of the bus windows.
4. NON STUDENT RIDERS
School or activity bus drivers shall not allow anyone other than school personnel and students to ride the bus unless written permission has been issued by the transportation supervisor or the supervisor’s representative. This provision shall not apply to the law enforcement or emergency personnel who are passengers of a bus in emergency periods as designated by the governing body of a school district, non public school or the secretary.
5. DROPPING STUDENTS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN AT HOME
Students are not to be dropped at any location other than at their own home. The only exception to this is when the driver has a written note or verbal permission from the parents of all students involved.
6. PARENTS NOT AT HOME
If parents, or other family designated responsible individuals, are not at home when the route bus reaches the residence, the driver is not to allow young children to go into the house. The driver will take appropriate action, such as calling the parents on the cell phone or contacting the office on the bus radio to ask for help or instructions. If all else fails, the student will be brought back to school. - If something is different than the normal routine, the driver will work to assure the situation is safe prior to unloading the students or leaving the residence. - If parents want their child to be dropped at another home, a note must be written to the driver or a call made to the school to confirm their wishes.
7. EVACUATION DRILLS
It is recommended that one of these drills be held in the fall and the other in the spring. A form must be completed and given to the transportation supervisor. All bus evacuation drills shall be conducted in a safe location free from obstacles and excessive traffic.
8. PRE-TRIP INSPECTIONS
Each driver for a delivery route or activity trip shall inspect that bus daily before use to ascertain that it is in safe condition, equipped as required by all provisions of law, and that all equipment is in good working order.
9. MONTHLY SAFETY MEETINGS
Each transportation supervisor or the supervisor’s representative shall organize monthly safety meetings for school and activity bus drivers in order to provide for exchanges of information regarding changes in law, safety procedures, route information and similar topics. Meetings will be held on the fourth Tuesday morning of each month during school. Documentation of attendance at these meetings shall be kept and retained by the supervisor for a period of two years.
10. LUBRICATION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RECORDS
All lubrication, maintenance and repair records will be kept for a period of two years. These records will be kept by the district central office.
11. DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS
Each person employed as a school bus driver for a school district, or any other person transporting school students who is employed by the school or employed by a firm contracting with the school to provide transportation, shall possess:
A. A commercial class A or B drivers license passenger
endorsement to drive a school or activity bus with a gross weight over 26,000 pounds;
B. A commercial Class A, B, or C drivers license with
a passenger and an “S” endorsement to drive a school or activity
bus with a gross weight of 26,000 pounds or less; or,
C. A class C license in order to drive passenger vehicles use for student transportation; and
D. An air brake endorsement on the commercial drivers license of any person who drives a bus equipped with air brakes.
Each new driver must have six hours of training in the bus they will be driving before they can drive a route.
New drivers must have a written statement on file as to whether the driver has ever been convicted of a felony or class A, B, or C misdemeanor.
Each driver must complete an eight hour first aid course every two years and/or be compliant with the current state laws and regulations.
Each driver must pass a physical exam every two years which will be kept on file in the transportation director’s office.
New drivers must pass an alcohol/drug test before they can drive a bus. All drivers who have a CDL license will be placed on a list of drivers and may be randomly selected for an alcohol/drug test.
Upon application of any person seeking to become a school or activity bus driver, or to drive any school motor vehicle for student transportation, the prospective employer shall inspect the applicant’s driver record through the Division of Vehicles,,,,, of the Kansas Department of Revenue, in accordance with K.S.A. 1990 Supp., 74-2012, as amended by L. 1991, Ch. 36, Sec.22,
12, AISLES AND DOORS AND EMERGENCY EXITS
All aisles and doors and emergency exits on school and activity buses and other vehicles being used to transport students shall remain unobstructed at all times.
13. INSTRUCTIONS ON EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS
Instructions are to be given to all riders by the driver before each activity trip about emergency evacuation procedures.
14. TRANSPORTING STUDENTS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS
Lyndon USD #421 do not normally transport students who live within the city limits of Lyndon.
15. HEADLIGHTS & STROBE LIGHTS
Lyndon USD #421 drivers are to have the headlights turned on during all trips, day or night.
The strobe lights will be used at the driver’s discretion. (If normal visibility is impaired for any reason the driver should normally activate the strobe light.)
16. RAILROAD CROSSING
Drivers must stop at all railroad crossings. This is true even if the tracks are destroyed. The only exception to this is when a sign is posted on the cross bucks that says “EXEMPT”. The drivers should use their emergency flashers, not the yellow and red flashing lights used when picking up or dropping students, while stopping at the railroad crossing. If there are no tracks at a former crossing the bus does not stop. If the tracks are still there and no “Exempt” sign is posted, the bus will stop.
17. STOP SIGN AND SIGNALS
The bus stop sign will be extended and the red flashing lights will be on anytime a student is loading or unloading from the bus. An exception is when the stop is along a road that is wide enough for the bus to get completely off the road. Then the sign and lights are not needed. In this case the student must live on the service side of the road of the bus, the road shoulder must be able to stand the load, and the bus must be able to enter the
right-of-way without impeding traffic. The 8-way light system does not have to be on when loading athletes if the bus is off the roadway along the curb.
18. PETS AND ANIMALS
Small animals shall not be transported on a bus without prior written permission from the building principal. (Large animals will not be transported.)
18. SPEED LIMIT
The speed limit for buses is the posted speed on all highways.
19. ROUTE INFORMATION
There are four regular delivery routes in the district:
* Randy Kirkpatrick - South Route - Bus #0
* Gary DeForrest - North Route - Bus #4
* Zoe Albers - Lake/Vassar Route - Bus #7
* Kay Perry - Greenacres Route - Bus #06
The routes are scheduled so that students riding the bus in the mornings will arrive in time to eat breakfast at school if they choose.
Most students are picked up at their residence, but in the interest of time, satellite sites may be established in more densely populated areas such as the city of Vassar and the Pomona Lake development areas. The driver will establish those sites to be used in good weather on normal days, and will contact families with that information.
If a student will have a change from the normal routine please notify the driver the day prior to the change if at all possible. (Drivers will provide families with their contact information and procedures.) To contact a bus after 6:30 in the mornings with changes or requests, please call the district office at 828-4413 and the transportation director will contact the bus by radio.
BUS EXPECTATIONS:
A. BE PROMPT AND PREPARED.
1. Be at bus on time.
2. Have all materials .
B. RESPECT AUTHORITY
1. Treat Bus drivers with respect.
2. Follow directions, promptly.
C. RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS
1. Keep hands and feet to yourself
2. Keep voice at appropriate level.
D. RESPECT PROPERTY
1. Dispose of food properly.
2. Treat the bus equipment appropriately.
E. DISPLAY A CONCERN FOR SAFETY
1. Weapons are not allowed. (Guns, knifes, or anything commonly used as a weapon)
2. Remain seated at all times except for loading and unloading.
2. Ride bus in a safe and orderly manner.
3. Wait for bus in safe and orderly manner.
F. DISPLAY APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SKILLS
1. Talk quietly to the person sitting by you.
2. Respect the rights of others.
G. CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE BUS BEHAVIOR
1. Ultimately students can be suspended from receiving bus service. This is a last resort, but it can happen.
2. Student behavior guidelines listed in the student handbooks apply on the bus as well. |
