8605 - SCHOOL BUS SAFETY PROCEDURES

Proper transportation of students is a matter of continuing concern and it is imperative that all staff members associated with student transportation adhere to the following procedures which have been designed to maximize the safety of students.

1. Each bus driver shall adhere to the responsibilities as stated in F.S. 1006.10 and 1012.45, and State Board of Education Rule F.A.C. 6A-3.0171. All of the following duties pertain to bus drivers:

   1. maintain all records and reports required;

   2. maintain the equipment in the best possible running condition and to report daily any needed repairs to the bus;

   3. attend and participate in relevant in-service training programs required by the Board;

   4. shall observe the assigned route closely and make any suggestions which would improve the efficient operation or the safety of the route;

   5. shall do a walk-through of the bus after each run to ensure that no student has remained;

   6. shall assist principals in conducting proper procedures for school bus evacuation drills;

   7. shall ensure that students board and unload only at their assigned bus stop unless a change is approved by a principal or designated representative;

   8. shall discharge an unruly student from the school bus only at his/her regular bus stop, to a law enforcement office if directed, or to a District school only if a District official at that school takes custody of the student;

      Parent(s)/Guardian(s) may take custody of an unruly student(s) from the school bus.

   9. shall report acts of student misconduct to the principal; however, should an emergency develop, because of the conduct of the student(s) on the bus, the driver may take such steps as are reasonable/necessary to protect the students;

   10. shall advise students on a recurring basis of the requirement to use the appropriate occupant safety equipment (lap belt) on school buses containing this equipment;
       
       It is not the responsibility of the school bus driver to ensure all students are using the additional occupant safety equipment before proceeding.

   11. shall not idle the bus engine unnecessarily and shall shut off the engine during all school loading and unloading operations (exception: wheel-chair lift operations).

2. Each student shall adhere to the school bus transportation rules and policies of the School District to include:

   1. shall not carry any item onto the school bus that can not be held in the lap or stored under the bus seat; items specifically excluded from regular school bus routes include but are not limited to large band instruments, bats, lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets, oversized back packs, and foldable scooters;

   2. shall ride only the assigned school bus and shall be at the assigned bus stop a minimum of five (5) minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus;

   3. shall not carry onto the school bus any item prohibited from being in the student’s possession while attending school;

   4. shall be aware that the same student rules to be adhered to while at school shall pertain to riding on the school bus;

   5. shall be aware that riding a school bus is a privilege and repeated or serious misconduct by a student while riding a school bus may incur loss of the bus riding privilege;

   6. shall use appropriate occupant safety equipment (lap belt) on school buses so equipped.

Revised 4/10/07
Revised 7/22/14
Revised 3/12/24

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