Pupil Transportation

The Ironton City School District shall have a pupil transportation system which shall be designed to transport, safely and efficiently, the children of this School District who are eligible for school transportation to and from school, and to and from such school activities as are permitted by Ohio law and the State Department of Education Rules and Regulations, and which have been approved by the Ironton City Board of Education and the Administration of the Ironton City School District.

Transportation to and from school shall be provided for elementary pupils, both public and private, who live more than two (2) miles from the school to which they have been assigned, and may provide transportation of they live more than one mile from said school; may provide such transportation for high school students; shall provide transportation for the handicapped as provided by law; and also to those pupils whose residence are so located that walking to the school which they are assigned presents an exceptionally hazardous situation. This is not to be construed to mean that the Ironton City Board of Education accepts primary responsibility for those dangers to which all children are subject. The primary responsibility for the movement of a child rests with the parents or guardians of the safeguarding children where hazard is unusual or extreme. For example, the child must walk a significant distance along a primary traffic artery, along which no adequate pedestrian facility exists, will be transported.

The Board will provide suitable transportation for all children who are so physically handicapped that they are unable to walk to and from school. In case of a dispute as to whether the child is or is not able to walk to and from school, the Health Commissioners shall be the judge of such ability.

The Ironton City Board of Education shall designate a qualified person in the employ of this District as Transportation Supervisor to whom certain operational authority and responsibilities will be delegated. In addition, the Board will also employ such bus drivers as are needed and necessary to fully implement this Board Policy.

Adopted: 8-19-69

Rev. 4-16-73
Rev. 11-10-80

Pupil Transportation

"SAFETY TO SCHOOL IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS AND RESPONSIBILITY"

Approximately 77 percent of all children enrolled in the public and non-public schools in the City of Ironton are transported to and from schools to which they have been assigned. To perform this service safely and efficiently the cooperation of all concerned - The Ironton City Board of Education, the administration, the transportation supervisor, the bus drivers, the principals, the teachers, the parents, and the students - is necessary. Each plays a vital role in this service.

The safety of the children riding the buses is a heavy responsibility. All persons who are a party to this function and service should be aware that nothing and no one can be permitted to compromise the safety of others by thoughtless or selfish action. The strict observance of the following Administrative Rules and Regulations by all parties concerned will greatly enhance the smooth and orderly operation of our pupil transportation system and will ensure the greater probability of safety for the students being transported.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

(1) The Ironton City Board of Education shall write (or have the same to be done), approve, and put into effect a Pupil Transportation Policy and Administrative Rules and Regulations for the Ironton City School District and shall publish and/or distribute such Policies and Rules and Regulations in order that the citizens of Ironton will be knowledgeable and aware of the same.

(2) The Board shall secure, provide, and maintain such physical equipment and school buses as are necessary to provide for the safe, efficient, and economical functioning of the Ironton City Schools transportation system. Buses shall fully meet State Standards.

(3) The Board shall employ, upon the recommendation of the City Superintendent of Schools, a transportation supervisor, bus drivers, and other such personnel as are necessary to provide pupil transportation.

(4) The Board shall establish school bus stops and bus turning points, based upon taking into account the efficiency in operation and upon the safety of the children and the traffic conditions of the locale.

(5) The Board shall provide for the annual physical examinations for bus drivers. The Board may designate the examining physician.

(6) The Board shall adopt a time schedule, and also a resolution on co-curricular use of buses.

(7) The Board shall carry such fleet and other insurance as prudent, necessary, and as is prescribed by law.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

(1) The City Superintendent of Schools shall make such Administrative Rules and Regulations as are necessary to fully implement the Board Policy on transportation, and the requirements of the State Department of Education, Department of Transportation.

(2) The City Superintendent of Schools shall delegate to the transportation supervisor such duties as are necessary for the full implementation of the Board Policy and the Administrative Rules and Regulations; the State Laws; and the Regulations of the State Department of Education; Department of Transportation.

(3) The City Superintendent of Schools shall have the responsibility of seeing to it that each bus driver has the required license and has met the requirements of an annual physical examination.

(4) The City Superintendent of Schools shall make recommendations to the Board of Education for the employment of a transportation supervisor and such bus drivers as are necessary to carry on the responsibilities of the Ironton City Schools' transportation system.

(5) The City Superintendent of Schools shall make such transportation reports as are required by law, the Rules and Regulations of the State Department of Education, and the City Board of Education.

(6) The City Superintendent of Schools shall report all bus accidents promptly, and on forms provided for same.

(7) The City Superintendent of Schools shall issue trip tickets for approved bus trips.

(8) The City Superintendent of Schools shall provide a minimum of one safety workshop for all transportation personnel each year. He shall also make arrangements for a basic school bus driver's education program to be taught by a certified instructor.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR

(1) The transportation supervisor shall be responsible for the maintenance of all district-owned buses, and for the general supervision of the overall transportation system of the Ironton City Schools.

(2) The transportation supervisor shall orginate and devise a complete school bus schedule for this school district.

(3) The transportation supervisor shall be responsible for continually appraising the pupil  transportation system and for making recommendations for its improvement in terms of maximum service, safety, economy, and efficiency.

(4) The transportation supervisor will recommend to the Superintendent of Schools the employment of well-qualified regular and substitute drivers, and set their work-hours after having been employed.

(5) The transportation supervisor shall inform drivers of their routes and duties and of the laws, policies, and regulations under which the buses are operated.

(6) The transportation supervisor shall set up a time schedule (for all bus routes) compatible with the Ohio Revised Code which says "The conveyance shall run on a time schedule that shall be adopted and put into force by the Board of Education not later than ten (10) days after the beginning of the school term. A copy of the time schedule shall be available in the bus and in the Superintendent's office at all times."

(7) The transportation supervisor shall lay out carefully the various bus routes with the assistance of the drivers, and provide a map showing the complete transportation system in the transportation office.

(8) The transportation supervisor shall compile a list of students transported to and from the school on each bus. The list shall be available in the supervisor's office at all times.

(9) The transportation supervisor shall complete, by date due, such forms and transportation reports as are required by this Board and the State Department of Education.

(10) The transportation supervisor shall pre-inspect buses of this District and present said buses to the State Highway Patrol for their annual inspection.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BUS DRIVERS

(1) Regular and substitute bus drivers shall conform to all requirements of the State Code and the State Department of Education and Board Policies and Administrative Rules and Regulations regarding pupil transportation, and such drivers shall be properly licensed and certified, as follows:

(2) The bus driver must have a valid Commercial Driver's License marked "S", and he/she must also have a bus driver's certificate issued by the City Superintendent of Schools;

(3) The bus driver must be a minimum of eighteen years of age. This district, however, recommends that drivers be a minimum of twenty-five years of age.

(4) The driver must be of good moral character.

(5) Each driver shall post a time schedule in his bus and conform to this schedule as closely as traffic conditions, road conditions, and safety considerations will permit.

(6) The bus driver is responsible for the proper behavior of pupils on the bus during his/her regular time. Teachers have first responsibility for maintaining discipline when they are with pupils on a bus. However, since the driver is responsible for the safety of the children, he may supersede the teacher's authority if he/she deems that the occasion demands it.

(7) In dealing with pupil behavior on the bus, the driver must exercise good judgement, and rarely, of ever, use physical force. The use of force must be completely justifiable; used only as the last resort, and in line with Ohio Revised Code 3319.41 which reads in part, "...school bus drivers may also, within the scope of their employment, use and apply such an amount of force and restraint as is reasonable to quell as disturbance threatening physical injury to others, to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects upon the person or within the control of the pupil for the purpose of self-defense, or for the protection of persons or property." However, "A driver of a school bus may not inflict corporal punishment upon a student passenger being transported to and from school." (OAG 68-161)

(8) It is only the duty of the driver to fill out and turn in to the principal of the school to which the child is assigned, a misconduct report on any student rider whose conduct warrants it.

(9) The driver must take all precautions in loading and unloading students.

(10) The driver may assign seats to pupil on the bus.

(11) The driver is given authority to omit any section of his route which, because of weather or unusual situation, appears to be hazardous. The driver is to contact the transportation supervisor and the families living on the omitted sections as quickly as possible, notifying them of such changes.

(12) The driver is responsible for keeping his/her bus clean, both inside and out.

(13) The driver is to report any accidents involving his/her school bus to police agency having jurisdiction. The driver is also required to complete, correctly and promptly, all transportation reports.

(14) The driver is to report all needed repairs to the transportation supervisor and see to the fuel, oil, and water requirements of the bus.

(15) Drivers must check the following items daily:

(16) Drivers are required to attend bus driver's meeting in the district unless excused by the City Superintendent of Schools. All drivers are also required to attend the annual safety workshop.

(17) Drivers are to follow the directions given for evacuation drills, and they must conduct such evacuation drills three (3) times annually.

(18) No school bus driver shall start his bus until after any child who may have alighted therefrom has reached a place of safety on his residence side of the road.

(19) These procedures will be followed on school bus discipline of the bus driver,

a. If a student will not respond to the instruction of the bus driver, the driver will fill out and turn in a misconduct report to the student's principal.

b. The pupil will be interviewed and the incident recorded on the pupil's record. Also, a record will be entered in the transportation file. All particulars, including the disciplinary actions must be reported.

c. If the violation warrants, the parents will be called or a letter written to the parents or both. This shall serve as a warning against future misbehavior. Parents are urged to take seriously any such incidents brought to their attention.

d. If the same pupil continues to violate regulations, he will be recalled again. This may result in a period of suspension from riding any Ironton school bus. In the event of a rider's suspension from a bus, the student suspended must secure written permission from his/her principal to ride the bus.

e. Persistent disregard for rules and regulations may result in permanent suspension of the privileges of riding a school bus. A serious violation of these rules and regulations may result in immediate suspension of the privilege of riding.

(21) School bus drivers shall familiarize themselves with the Ironton City Board Policy and Administrative Rules and Regulations as well as the Ohio Pupil Transportation Rules, Law and  Regulations and follow these to the letter, and know and strictly obey all traffic laws.

(1) The teachers shall instruct the pupils on the matter of bus safety. At least twice during each school year each pupil who is transported in a school vehicle shall be instructed in safe riding practices by a teacher. Safety instructions shall be given in grades Kindergarten through grade three (3) within two (2) weeks of the commencement of classes.

(2) Teachers shall perform whatever duties concerning bus transportation the principal may assign.

(3) Teachers shall dismiss their pupils at the scheduled time and see to it that bus riders go promptly to their buses or designated waiting areas.

(4) Teachers are responsible for the behavior of their pupils on a field trip but may, in extreme cases, be superceded by the driver.

(5) Teachers shall follow the rules set up for the use of school buses on co-curricular or non-routine trips.

(6) Teachers shall see that papers carried home by children are sent home in such a manner that the papers will not , if dropped, blow under the buses or into traffic.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENTS

(1) Parents and school officials share the responsibility of ensuring that children are orderly while awaiting a bus or unloading on the bus route. Parents should also assist the school program by teaching their children good traffic procedures.

(2) Parents should make sure that their children are at the proper bus stop at least five (5) minutes before the scheduled time. Drivers are instructed not to run ahead of schedule and are not required to wait for children, as by such action, all students farther along the route would be forced to wait that much longer. On some roads, and streets, waiting also causes longer lines of cars behind the bus, thus creating a traffic hazard.

(3) Parents should regard the matter of school bus discipline as extremely important. School officials will cooperate in every way possible to resolve problems, but it is absolutely essential that children riding the bus do nothing that distracts the driver or delays the run.

(4) Parents will be held responsible for damages by their children to school bus and/or property while their children are in the process of school transportation.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENTS

(1) Each student must load and unload the bus at assigned stop in an orderly manner.

a. Pupil waiting for their bus must refrain from any activities which damages surrounding property or disturbs persons living near the collection point. Students must wait until the bus stops to move toward it, and if they must cross the street or highway, the riders must wait until the driver signals them to do so. Pupils should, of course, look carefully before crossing.

b. Pupils must not crowd or push while entering or leaving the bus.

c. When entering or leaving the bus pupils should walk quickly. A delay may hold up traffic and may disrupt the bus schedule.

(2) All riders must take seats assigned to them by the driver, or if not assigned a seat, the student should go to the next empty seat in the rear. Pupils should load to the rear of the bus going to school so that other pupils can load more easily and sit in seats to coordinate with their respective stops when returning home. Therefore, a pupil getting on the bus at the first bus stop will sit in the rear going to school, and toward the rear when returning home. Pupils, upon boarding the bus, must take their seats at once. They shall not stand.

(3) It is essential that riders share their seats with others. If the bus is filled to capacity, it will often be necessary to ride three (3) to a seat. Students must not change seats while the bus is in motion. Also, pupils must never sit in the driver's sear nor tamper with the driver's controls.

(4) Hauling of large band instruments and/or other large objects is discouraged, since the seats are needed for pupils.

(5) A student shall ride the regularly assigned bus and unload at his regular stop unless his principal signs a note to give to the driver stating otherwise. A child who is not regular bus rider must have permission from his principal or parent to ride the bus.

(6) Eating and littering are not permitted on the bus. Students must not throw anything in the bus or out the windows.

(7) There must be absolute quiet at railroad crossings and other places of danger as specified by the driver. Noise on the bus must be kept to a minimum. The same behavior is expected on a school bus as in the classroom, except that a student may talk quietly to the person beside him if the driver permits.

(8) Students must not hang any object or part of their body outside the bus window.

(9) Any child who insists on misbehaving shall be denied the privilege of riding the bus.

(10) Students should cross the street at least ten (10) feet ahead of the bus.

(11) Pets, guns, ammunition, and/or other dangerous objects are not permitted on the bus.

(12) No smoking is allowed on the bus at any time.

(13) When dismissed from school, students must go promptly to their bus or designated waiting station.

(14) No signs, banners, or the like may be attached to any school bus at any time.

CO-CURRICULAR OR NON-ROUTINE USE OF SCHOOL BUSES

(1) School buses may be used for activities of the schools when such projects, events, and activities are a planned and definite part of the school curricular program. The cost of the school bus transportation for same may be paid from Board's fund. School buses may also be used for regularly scheduled and special co-curricular activities such as athletic and band events and similar activities. In all of the above cases the students who are transported must be participants in the event. At no time are the buses to be used for pleasure trips or combined business and pleasure trips .

(2) Prior approval of the Ironton City Board of Education is required for co-curricular or non-routine use of school buses. The approval may be granted by the Board as a part of a general policy resolution for same for the school year.

(3) Written permission must be obtained from the City Superintendent of Schools for co-curricular and non-routine school bus trips.

(4) The City Superintendent of Schools shall, based upon State Rules and Regulations, be the final judge as to whether or not a bus trip is educational.

(5) A trip ticket, properly signed and issued by the City Superintendent of Schools, is required for all co-curricular and non-routine school bus trips.

(6) The Board Policy and the Administrative Rules and Regulations apply to the co-curricular and non-routine and summer use of school buses in this district as well as to the regular school-year use.

(7) A certified employee who is presently under contract with this Board must accompany any group or groups of students on a co-curricular and non-routine school bus trip.

(8) On co-curricular and non-routine school bus trips, pupils who live on a direct route to the activity may be picked up or delivered on such route, with written approval of the parent.

(9) Regularly scheduled athletic, and scholarship, and other co-curricular events do not require parental permission for the students to ride the buses. However, special co-curricular events involving school bus transportation do require parental permission slips.

(10) Transportation of participants in the athletic and/or similar events should be limited to one bus. In no event, however, will more bus space be provided than is properly needed by the participants and chaperones in any co-curricular activity.

(11) Chaperones should be limited to two (2) per bus, except as needed at the elementary grade levels for the proper care of children. No spectators or other non-participating students or adults will be transported.

(12) If more than five (5) school buses are required for transportation of pupils to a co-curricular event, a Board of Education resolution of approval is required prior to the event.

(13) No student may be charged or be required to pay for regular, routine bus transportation.

OHIO REVISED CODE 3327.15

"The Board of Education of any school district that owns and operates motor vehicle for transporting pupils may permit such vehicles to be used outside this state for any lawful purpose provided the entire distance traveled outside this State on any trip does not exceed two hundred forty (240) miles."

RULES AND REGULATIONS

BUS DRIVERS AND CHAPERONES FOR NON-ROUTINE USE

The bus driver is responsible for the safety of all persons on the bus. Chaperones have the first or primary responsibility for maintaining of discipline on the bus. Chaperones are responsible for seeing to it that each student is accounted for while on the bus trip. They (chaperones) should also guard against any student (or other) vandalism and/or littering. The bus driver and chaperones must work together to ensure a safe, happy trip.

When a disturbance occurs, the chaperone should deal with it immediately, thus allowing the bus driver to give his/her attention to the road and operating the bus safely. If the driver feels that there is a disturbance, he/she should ask the chaperone, who is seated at the right of the driver, to take charge. The chaperone should keep the driver informed of any unsafe situation. Any misunderstanding between the driver and the chaperone should not be discussed in the student's presence. If a misunderstanding cannot be resolved, or if either party has a complaint, it should be taken to the attention of the Band Director and

Transportation Supervisor or the chairperson for non-routine trips.

LEASING BUSES FOR ADULT EDUCATION OR AGED OVER SIXTY

OHIO REVISED CODE 3327.14

"The Board of Education of any School District that owns and operates buses for transportation pupils may contract under a lease agreement with a municipal corporation or a public or nonprofit private agency or organization delivering services to the aged, to make available one or more of the Districts buses or other vehicles to be used for transporting persons sixty years of age or older. The Board of Education of any school district may also contract under a similar agreement with any group, organization, or other entity engaged in adult education activities.

The cost to the lessee of leasing such buses or other vehicles shall not exceed the cost of operating such buses or other vehicles as determined by the Board of Education of the School District. The charge to the lessee for the use of the buses or other vehicles, which may include the cost of providing an operator holding a certificate pursuant to Section 3327.10 of the Revised Code, insurance coverage, and other direct and indirect cost to the school district shall be specified in the contract entered into pursuant to this Section.

All State Board of Education Regulations governing the use of such buses or other vehicles by public schools while transporting pupils to and from school related activities apply to the extent applicable to their use under this Section.

Any Board of Education making available one or more of its buses or other vehicles under this Section 3327.09 of the Revised Code, covering each bus or vehicle used and each passenger transported under the leasing agreement."

THE IRONTON POLICY

The Ironton City Board of Education will comply with the law on leasing as outlined above. The cost of leasing the transportation vehicle (in this District) to the leasing organization shall be the average transportation cost per mile (based upon the most recent calculations) to this District as verified by the Treasurer of the Board. In addition to these costs, the leasing organization shall be required to pay (additionally) for the bus driver's time from the time of arrival at the destination to the time of departure from same, at a rate per hour as established by this Board.

Ironton City School District-owned buses or other vehicles will not be leased when such leasing would interfere with the normal school transportation program.

Adopted: 8-18-69
Rev. 4-16-73
Rev. 7-1-96