EEAE ©
BUS  SAFETY  AND
STUDENT  CONDUCT

The safety and welfare of student riders is to be the first consideration in all matters pertaining to transportation.  Toward that end, all District transportation department personnel, bus operators, and bus passengers shall comply with the rules adopted pursuant to A.R.S. 28-900 and the Minimum Standards for School Buses and Certification of School Bus Drivers promulgated by the Arizona Department of Administration and adopted as Chapter Thirteen of A.A.C. Title 13, and shall immediately report to the Superintendent any violation of rules or state statutes that threatens the health, safety, or welfare of a passenger.

Bus  Driver  Requirements

Each driver of a District-owned or District-contracted school bus, as defined by and covered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 and A.A.C. Title 13, Chapter 13, will conform to all requirements of the Act and such state statutes, rules and regulations governing the operation of the vehicle.

Maintenance  and  Operation

All vehicles used to transport students shall be maintained in such condition as to provide safe and efficient transportation service with a minimum of delays and disruption of such service due to mechanical or equipment failure.  Buses shall be replaced at such intervals as will provide good equipment at all times.

In addition to the regular state inspections, each school bus shall be inspected by the driver daily, before each use, to ascertain that it is in safe condition and equipped as required by all provisions of law, and that all equipment is in good working order.

School  Buses

Each school bus owned by, or contracted to, the District will conform to all applicable federal and state requirements as provided by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 and A.A.C. Title 13, Chapter13.

Student  Transport

Students shall not be put off the bus until they reach their destination.

Student  Conduct

Students are required to conduct themselves in the bus, prior to boarding the bus, and subsequent to leaving the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior.

When a student fails to practice proper conduct, the bus driver will inform the principal of the misconduct, which may then be brought to the attention of the parents.

Students who become serious disciplinary problems related to school transportation may have their riding privileges suspended.  In such cases, the parents of the students involved become responsible for seeing that their children get to and from school safely.

Students riding on special-activity buses are under the direct supervision of the bus driver in cooperation with sponsor(s).  Students who do not conduct themselves properly will be denied the privilege of riding on special-activity buses.

Evacuation  Drills

Bus evacuation drills shall be conducted at least twice every school year at the school and shall include every passenger who rides a school bus and is in school on the day of the evacuation drill.

Each bus driver shall participate in at least two (2) evacuation drills during each school year.  The bus evacuation drill shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements set out by the Arizona Department of Public Safety for such a drill.

Adopted:  November 20, 2005

LEGAL REF.:
A.R.S.
15-341
15-843
15-922
28-101
28-900
28-984
28-3228
A.A.C.
Title 13, Chapter 13 
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 
49 U.S.C. 30101 (Standards and Compliance - School Buses and 
     School Bus Equipment)

CROSS REF.:
GBEFA - Staff Use of Digital Wireless Communications or
                Electronic Devices While Operating a Motor Vehicle