The Board of Education is required by State Law to transport all pupils to school who live more than 1 1/2 miles from school. District 26 must transport approximately 65% of the pupils enrolled. Because of this requirement, our transportation system has become quite complex and we request your patience during the first few days of school in working out any problems. Students are limited to riding only the school bus that serves their legal residence. They may go to another residence on their assigned bus route with permission from their parents. Those parents with "child care" arrangements outside of the regular transportation route on which they live must provide their own transportation. This applies only to those students eligible for transportation. Transportation is provided only for those students eligible from their legal residence to their assigned school. It is crucial that we establish a set of rules for bus riders. The Board of Education has adopted instructions and rules for all pupils who ride buses.
Students who misconduct themselves on a school bus may be suspended from riding the school bus.
If you have any questions, our Transportation Department can be reached at 847-639-0262.
Bus Rider Rules Adopted by the District 26 Board of Education
Be on time at the designated school bus stop (helps keep the bus on schedule).
Stay off the road at all times while waiting for the bus.
Be careful in approaching the place where the bus stops. Do not move toward the bus until the bus has been brought to a complete stop.
Remain in your seat while the bus is in motion.
Be alert to a danger signal from the driver.
Remain in the bus in the event of a road emergency until instructions are given by the driver.
Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times after entering and until leaving the bus. Do not throw anything out of the bus windows.
Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion diverts the driver's attention and could result in a serious accident.
Be absolutely quiet when approaching a railroad-crossing stop.
Treat bus equipment as you would valuable furniture in your own home. Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.
Assist in keeping the bus safe and sanitary at all times.
Carry no animals on the bus unless properly caged and permission is obtained from the transportation director and the superintendent of schools, principal or classroom teacher.
Be courteous to fellow pupils and the bus driver.
Help look after the safety and comfort of smaller children.
Do not ask the driver to stop at places other than the regular bus stop. She/he is not permitted to do this except by proper authorization from a school official.
Observe safety precautions at discharge point. Where it is necessary to cross the highway, proceed to a point at least 10 feet in front of the bus on the right shoulder of the highway where traffic may be observed in both directions. Then wait for a signal from the bus driver permitting you to cross.
Observe the same rules and regulations on other trips under school sponsorship as you observe between home and school. Respect the wishes of the chaperone appointed by the school.
Board of Education Policy 7:220 provides that all students must follow the District’s School Bus Safety Guidelines. The Superintendent, or any designee as permitted in The School Code, is authorized to suspend a student from riding the school bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for engaging in gross disobedience or misconduct, including, but not limited to, the following:Prohibited student conduct as defined in the Student Discipline policy.
Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.
Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.
Repeated use of profanity.
Repeated willful disobedience of the bus driver's or other supervisor’s directives.
Such other behavior as the administration deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.
If a student is suspended from riding the bus for gross disobedience or misconduct on a bus, the School Board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons. The District’s regular suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student’s privilege to ride a school bus.
Electronic visual and audio recordings may be used on school buses to monitor conduct and to promote and maintain a safe environment for students and employees when transportation is provided for any school related activity. Notice of electronic recordings shall be displayed on the exterior of the vehicle’s entrance door and front interior bulkhead in compliance with State law and the rules of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety. Students are prohibited from tampering with electronic recording devices. Students who violate this policy shall be disciplined in accordance with the Board’s discipline policy and shall reimburse the School District for any necessary repairs or replacement. The content of the electronic recordings are student records and are subject to District policy and procedure concerning school student records; such recordings are exempt from the Eavesdropping Act. Only those people with a legitimate educational or administrative purpose may view and/or listen to the electronic video and/or audio recordings. In most instances, individuals with a legitimate educational or administrative purpose will be the Superintendent, Building Principal, Transportation Director, bus driver, and sponsor, coach, or other supervisor. If the content of an electronic recording becomes the subject of a student disciplinary hearing, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.
Parents or guardians of students who are full time attendees, who live outside 1 ½ miles from school or live within an IDOT specified hazardous zone, and do not receive transportation services to school, are eligible for reimbursement. Forms for reimbursement are available in each school office from the secretary. The principal is the designated officer to verify such forms. These forms must be submitted by the school on or before July 1, of each year to be eligible for reimbursement. Dispute resolution procedures exist for parents/guardians who dispute reimbursement as designated in 23 Ill. Admin. Code 120.250. Information on these can be obtained through the school office.
