Transportation

In Bradley County Schools, we are dedicated to providing safe and dependable bus transportation for your child. Safety is our highest priority. School bus drivers are required to maintain training standards and procedures for bus safety operations. Students, whether they ride the bus daily or only on occasional field trips, must abide by

rules of conduct designed to ensure safety. Bus transportation provided by the Bradley County Board of Education is a privilege, not a right. Time on the bus is considered an extension of the school day. Therefore, just as we expect appropriate behavior in the classroom, we expect appropriate behavior on the bus. Please discuss this information with your child. Your cooperation will enable Bradley County Schools to provide the safest environment possible for our students.

Notice: Video and audio recording devices are used on Bradley County buses.

Please report any concerns involving a school bus to the following:

Bradley County Schools Transportation Dept.

800 South Lee Highway

Cleveland, TN 37323

423.665.4060

Bus Transportation BCBOE Policy 6.308

Bus transportation is a privilege granted to the students in the Oak Grove zone. Should a student act unsafely, impair the safety of others, or distract the driver’s attention from his or her driving responsibilities, bus privileges may be revoked. If the student receives an incident report from the bus driver, the school administrator will decide on the appropriate consequence based on the Bradley County Schools policies.

Bus Conduct:

● Go to your assigned bus stop.

● Use orderly behavior at the bus stop as well as on the bus

● Remain seated, facing front, in your assigned seat when the bus is in motion.

● Talk quietly only to the people nearest you

● Talk to the driver only when it is necessary.

● Put all trash in receptacles supplied by the bus driver.

● Do not throw anything on the floor or out of the window.

● Stay quiet when the bus is crossing the railroad tracks.

If you have questions or concerns regarding bus transportation that we are not able to address, we would refer you to Mr. Terry McElhaney, Supervisor for Transportation, at 423-476-0620.

Bus Rules

The following rules should be observed while on the bus.

1. Obey the bus driver; follow the driver’s first request.

2. The bus driver may assign seats.

3. No food, drink, or gum on the bus; no littering.

4. Loud, rude, abusive, or profane language is not permitted.

5. Possession and/or use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs are prohibited in any form.

6. Keep hands and head inside the bus.

7. Remain seated.

8. Never throw items inside or out of the bus.

9. Keep the bus aisle clear of feet and property.

10. For everyone’s safety, do not distract the driver through misbehavior.

11. Do not destroy property. Parents will be financially responsible for any act of

vandalism. Students will be suspended from riding the bus until damages are paid.

12. Do not tamper with or use emergency exits of the bus unless authorized.

13. Do not raise/lower windows without permission.

Student Responsibilities

1. Always cross the street in front of the bus. Never go behind the bus.

2. If crossing a road or street is necessary when boarding or departing the bus, wait for

the bus driver’s signal before crossing.

3. Stay 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing.

4. Never crawl under the bus to pick up papers or other items.

5. Arrive at the bus stop at least 5-10 minutes early.

6. Stay out of the road at bus stops.

7. Never get in a car with a stranger.

8. Report any inappropriate behavior on the bus or near a stop to the driver and principal.

9. Stay silent when the bus stops at a railroad crossing.

10. Provide a bus pass signed by the principal if you wish to ride a different bus or to get off the bus at a different stop.

11. Be courteous to the driver.

12. Share seats with other students.

Parent Responsibilities

1. Review bus rules and conduct expectations with your child.

2. Instruct the child to be at least 5 minutes early to the bus stop.

3. Monitor the conduct and safety of your child before the bus arrives each morning.

4. Monitor the conduct and safety of your child after the bus departs each afternoon.

5. Encourage appropriate dress for inclement weather.

6. Provide a note to the principal if you wish your child to ride a different bus or get off at

a different stop. Bus passes are issued on a space-available basis.

7. Be courteous to the driver.

Violation Levels and Consequences

Level I Violations:

1. Failure to obey the driver

2. Failure to remain seated

3. Eating or drinking on the bus

4. Loud, rude, or abusive behavior

5. Any behavior jeopardizing the safety of the school bus

6. Improper boarding/departing procedures

Consequences of Level I Violations May Be:

1. Written reprimand/notification of parents

2. Bus riding suspension (3-5 school days)

3. Out-of-school suspension

Level II Violations:

1. Third violation of Level I rules

2. Tampering with bus equipment

3. Fighting/pushing/tripping

4. Destruction of property (parents are financially responsible for damages and the

student will remain off the bus until damages are paid)

5. Possession and/or use of tobacco/illegal sub-stance

6. Throwing objects in or out of the bus

7. Profane language, obscene gestures

8. Putting head or hands out the window

9. Bringing articles aboard the bus of injurious or objectionable nature

10. Refusing to obey driver (2nd offense)

Consequences of Level II Violations May Be:

1. Bus riding suspension (Minimum of 5 school days)

2. Bus riding suspension (Minimum of 10 school days for repeat occurrence of Lev-el II

Violation)

3. Out-of-school suspension

Level III Violations:

1. Third violation of Level II rules

2. Physical assault/verbal threat directed at the driver

3. Possession and/or use of illegal substances

4. Possession of a weapon

5. Use of chemical substances with intent to do harm

6. Attempting to set fire to hair, clothes, or property

7. Unapproved use of emergency exits on the bus

Consequences of Level III Violations May Be:

1. Bus riding suspension (Minimum 30– Maximum 180 school days)

2. Out-of-school suspension

3. Action by the Board of Education (up to and including expulsion)

4. Appropriate legal action

49-6-2008. Persons Improperly on School Premises - Assault Upon Educational Personnel. (Summarized for Transportation) (a) In order to maintain the conditions and atmosphere suitable for learning, no person shall enter onto school buses during school hours, except students assigned to that bus or staff of the school, parents of students, and other persons with lawful and valid business on the bus or school premises. (b) Any person improperly on a school bus, either owned, leased, or under contract by Bradley County Schools, without lawful and valid business, shall immediately depart upon the request of the bus driver or other authorized school personnel. Unauthorized person(s) shall be in violation of TN code 49-6-2008, which is a Class A Misdemeanor of subsection (a) of the same. A person who commits such assault shall be liable to the victim for all damages resulting from the assault, including compensatory and punitive damages. Upon prevailing, a victim shall be entitled to three (3) times the amount of the actual damages and shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs.

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