Transportation

Bus Rider Rules Adopted by the District 26 Board of Education

• Be ready at the designated bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled time.
• 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 assigned 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 roadway, proceed to a point at least 10 feet in front of the bus on the right shoulder of the roadway 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.
• Food is not to be eaten on the bus

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.