Policy Code:  6305  Safety and Student Transportation Services

Safety is of paramount concern in providing student transportation services.  The board recognizes that providing safe transportation requires the cooperation of students, parents,

volunteers, personnel and other governmental agencies.  The supervisor of transportation and all principals are responsible for making reasonable efforts to inform affected individuals or entities about safety issues and monitor compliance with legal requirements and this policy.

A.  Student Behavior

A safe and orderly environment is critical whenever transporting students.  Student bus behavior is specifically addressed in board policy 4317, Misconduct on a School Vehicle. Students also must comply with all other student behavior policies as provided in the 4300 series policies.  Students will receive training on school bus safety as required by law.

The school bus driver shall report incidents of student misconduct to the principal.  The principal may revoke a student's bus riding privilege for violations of student behavior

policies.  A student dissatisfied with actions taken by the principal in response to a report of misconduct while riding the bus, may report the incident to the director of transportation for further review.  If the student continues to be dissatisfied with the action taken by the director

of transportation, the aggrieved student may seek further review as provided in board policy

1740/4010, Student and Parent Grievance Procedure.

B.  Maintenance

The supervisor of transportation and principals will fulfill all duties prescribed by state law

and regulations for maintaining, inspecting and repairing school buses and other vehicles used

to transport students.

C.  Unsafe Conditions

All school bus drivers are expected to use good judgment in determining whether it is safe to operate a school vehicle, and to permit students to enter or leave the bus at particular

locations.  Bus drivers must report immediately any suspected mechanical defects or other unsafe conditions, including road or traffic conditions which affect the safeness of the bus route or bus stops.

D.  Accident Reporting

The driver of any school bus or other school vehicle must report immediately any accident involving death, injury or property damage to the supervisor of transportation.

Legal References:  G.S. 115C-239, -245, -248; 16 NCAC 6B.0002, 0003; Handbook for School

Bus Drivers, Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles

Cross References:  Student and Parent Grievance Procedure (policy 1740/4010); Student

Behavior Policies (policy 4300), Authority of School Personnel (policy 4301), School Plan for