Students utilizing school transportation will conduct themselves in an orderly manner fitting to their age level and maturity with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of the school vehicle driver and the other passengers. Students who fail to behave in an orderly manner will be subject to disciplinary measures.
Although the law requires the district to provide transportation, it does not relieve parents from the responsibility of supervision until such time as the child boards the bus and after the child leaves the bus at the end of the school day. Nor does it relieve students from the responsibility to behave in an orderly and safe manner on the bus. School bus transportation is a privilege that can be taken away any time a student’s conduct is considered bad enough to jeopardize the safety of the other passengers. The right to safe transportation will not be taken from an entire bus load of students because a few of them disobey the rules.
The bus driver shall have complete control of the bus and the students he or she is transporting for the duration of the bus ride. Serious and/or repeated problem(s) arising with a student will be promptly reported to the building principal and Transportation Director. The student will be disciplined in accordance with established policy. Continued violation of bus rules will be considered sufficient cause for refusing to transport the student(s) involved and may lead to suspension and/or expulsion from school, depending upon the seriousness of the matter.
In addition, the board supports the use of recording devices on school buses used for transportation to and from school as well as for field trips, curricular or extracurricular events. The recording devices will be used to monitor student behavior and may be used as evidence in a student disciplinary proceeding. The recordings are student records subject to school district confidentiality, board policy and administrative regulations.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the building principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding student conduct and discipline when utilizing school district transportation.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 285; 321 (2013).
Approved:
October 9, 1989
Reviewed:
June 12, 2023
