Butte School District

Noninstructional Operations

8104P 

Student Behavior Code – School Buses

Bus Registration

All School Bus Passengers Must Be Registered

Parents must request transportation services and bus registration for their children.  Bus registration for all riders must be complete before school opens and before beginning to ride the bus. 

School Bus Routes

All school buses travel established and approved routes. Bus stops are established at designated locations. It is not possible to provide a bus stop at every street or lane. School bus route numbers are displayed beside the entrance door of the bus.

School Bus Drivers

All School bus drivers must be qualified and must perform their duties as stipulated by Montana School Laws, the Montana Office of Public Instruction, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Interstate Commerce Commission. All school bus drivers receive continuous in-service training in the safe methods of operation a school bus. 

Inclement Weather Conditions

In the event that weather conditions create hazardous driving conditions or the temperature is -20F (without wind chill), school bus transportation may be delayed or curtailed. Butte radio and television stations will make announcements regarding delayed or curtailed bus services.

School and Extracurricular Bus Conduct

Parents are responsible for the conduct and welfare of their children, to and from, and while waiting at the school bus stop. By law, the District is authorized to discipline students who fail to meet the requirements this procedure and/or other district policies, this discipline may include but is not limited to a referral to the School Resource Officer or discipline from the student’s principal.

Good conduct aboard the school bus is imperative to the safety and welfare of the riders. The bus is an extension of the school and classroom behavior is expected.

The school bus driver is in charge of the bus and has the responsibility and authority to maintain discipline on the bus.

School bus drivers have the authority to assign seats whenever they feel that it is necessary to do so. 

Parents are legally and financially responsible for any malicious damage or vandalism done by their child to a bus. The child will be suspended from the bus at least until reimbursement has been made to the Butte School District Transportation Department.

The riding privilege of a student may be revoked without prior warning for violation of any of the bus safety rules or for conduct which is detrimental to the safe operation of the school bus.

What Can Parents Do?

The interest and assistance of each parent are valued assets to the Transportation Program. Your efforts towards making each bus trip a safe and pleasant experience are appreciated. The following suggestions are ways that you can assist in this regard:

1. Insure that your children are at their bus stop FIVE(5) MINUTES EARLY
2. Dress your children in clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.
3. Encourage school bus safety at home. Caution children regarding safe behavior and conduct while riding on the school bus. 

Rules and Regulations

The following rules and regulations have been developed to insure the safest, most enjoyable, and efficient transportation for all passengers. However, any of the listed offenses, when the conduct is of an extreme nature, may result in a suspension of up to 10 days, and possible revocation of bus privilege This list is not intended to be either inclusive or conclusive. Administrators reserve the right to modify consequences at their discretion pending determination of special circumstances. 

Prior To Boarding The School Bus, Each Passenger Shall:

1. Arrive at their designated stop 5 minutes early.
2. Stay out of the road and do not loiter on or damage or destroy surrounding property while waiting for the bus.
3. Refrain from horseplay activities, such as throwing snowballs and other objects for hitting or kicking others.
4. Wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop before attempting to board the bus.
5. Walk toward the school bus-do not run in an effort to be the first to board the bus. Board one at a time in single file.
6. Always watch for oncoming traffic before crossing the street. Maintain eye contact with the driver and cross only after receiving a hand signal from the driver. 

After Leaving the School Bus, Each Passenger Shall:

1. Walk while getting off the bus- do not rush or push while the bus is unloading. 
2. Always watch and check the other vehicles before crossing the street.
3. Walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus when crossing the street so that the bus driver can see the passenger. Maintain eye contact with the driver and wait for a hand signal before crossing. Stop before leaving the protection of the bus and look both ways before continuing. Crossing the street to load or unload is a partnership between the driver and students- each are responsible for a safe crossing.
4. Get permission from driver before picking up a dropped item anywhere near the bus. When a student bends over to pick up a dropped item, the driver loses sight of them.
5. Proceed directly from the bus stop to home. 

Disciplinary action may be taken against any student guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to instances set forth below:

 (K – 6) Student Management Policy

Class 1 Offenses

• Failure to follow directions from Driver
• Failure to load/unload at assigned bus stop
• Eating, chewing gum or drinking while on bus
• Throwing any item in or out of the bus
• The use of profanity, derogatory language, name calling or inappropriate gestures    Not sitting properly in bus seat, or changing seats without permission from the driver       Placing any part of the body out the window of the bus. 
•  Rude and Disrespectful Behavior
• Any behavior that is disruptive to the safety of the bus

  

Fourth Bus Conduct Slip:

Students will be suspended from bus privileges until a conference can be conducted that includes the school principal, the Director of Transportation, the regular bus driver, and the parent or guardian and the child.

NOTE: Coordination of the above mentioned conference will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Any further bus conduct slips will be treated the same as the fourth bus conduct, slip, and may lead to permanent suspension of bus. 

Class II Offenses

• Causing harm, injury or threat of harm to any bus passenger. 
• Harassment of the Bus Driver or any bus passenger.

 

Class III Offenses

• Intentional damage to any part of the bus. This includes damage to seats. Parent/Guardian held responsible for cost of repair/replacement before transportation will resume.
• The use of matches, lighters (any incendiary device) on the bus.
• Possession or use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia.
• The use or display of a knife, box cutter, or any similar device.
• Unjustified activation of any of the vehicles emergency systems.

 

Class VI Offenses

 

•      The possession of a firearm or destructive device.

1st Offense … Suspension from all buses for 1 calendar year. School Resource Officer contacted by Transportation Department.

•      If multiple offenses occur, length of suspension of bus privilege will default to the most serious offense. 

(7 – 12) Student Management Policy

Class 1 Offenses

• Failure to follow directions from Driver
• Failure to load/unload at assigned bus stop
• Eating, chewing gum or drinking while on bus
• Throwing any item in or out of the bus
• The use of profanity, derogatory language, name calling or inappropriate gestures    Not sitting properly in bus seat, or changing seats without permission from the driver       Placing any part of the body out the window of the bus. 

    

Fourth Bus Conduct Slip:

Students will be suspended from bus privileges until a conference can be conducted that includes the school principal, the Director of Transportation, the regular bus driver, and the parent or guardian and the child.

NOTE: Coordination of the above mentioned conference will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Any further bus conduct slips will be treated the same as the fourth bus conduct, slip, and may lead to permanent suspension of bus.  

Class II Offenses

 Causing harm, injury or threat of harm to any bus passenger.   Harassment of the Bus Driver or any bus passenger.

 

Class III Offenses

Intentional damage to any part of the bus. This includes damage to seats. Parent/Guardian held responsible for cost of repair/replacement before transportation will resume.

 

 

Class VI Offenses

• The possession of a firearm or destructive device.

1st Offense … Suspension from all buses for 1 calendar year. School Resource Officer contacted by Transportation Department.

• If multiple offenses occur, length of suspension of bus privilege will default to the most serious offense.

(K – 6) Student Management Policy

Loss of Bus Pass Offense

All bus students will be issued a Butte School District #1 bus pass within 5 days of registering and riding the bus.  

 

(7 – 12) Student Management Policy

Loss of Bus Pass Offense

All bus students will be issued a Butte School District #1 bus pass within 5 days of registering and riding the bus.  

All students who are enrolled in grades 7-12 will not be allowed to ride the bus after school without a Bus Pass.  There will be bus passes at the school that will able to be checked out in the case a student forgets their pass that day.  They will only be allowed to check a Bus Pass out from the school for 3 consecutive days.

 

Cross Reference:

3310  Student Discipline

 

Procedure History: