Transportation

The school bus is an extension of school; therefore, students should conduct themselves in a manner consistent with established safety standards and classroom conduct. Bus students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver while on his/her bus.

STUDENTS MAY RIDE ONLY ON ASSIGNED BUSES.

FSSD Board Policy 3.401 specifically states:  “Under no circumstances shall students be transported past their assigned school or to a place other than their in-zone residence without prior notice/authorization by the transportation supervisor.”

To ensure safe and orderly means of transportation, the following guiding principles are established for riders:

• Be at the bus stop prior to the arrival of the bus.
• Wait on the sidewalk, away from the curb, until the bus comes to a complete stop.
• Go directly to your assigned seat and be seated in order to keep aisles and exits clear. When feasible, only two riders per seat.
• All riders are expected to follow guidance and direction from their bus driver, especially as it relates to assigned seating.
• Keep noise at classroom level.
• Keep head, hands, and objects inside the bus.
• Respect the rights and property of others.
• Obey the driver promptly and respectfully.
• If the driver does not see the expected and customary safe environment for any student exiting the bus after school, that student will be asked to re-board the bus.  Any student refusal to re-board the bus may require law enforcement involvement.
• Remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop and use the emergency door only in an emergency.
• No drugs, weapons, hazardous materials, or animals are allowed on the bus.
• No objects are permitted on board that can’t be held in a student’s lap.
• Profanity, chewing gum, eating or drinking are not allowed on the bus.
• No throwing or passing objects allowed on, from, or into the bus.
• Cell phones must remain turned off and stored out of sight for the duration of the bus ride.
• Willful failure to abide by any of these guidelines may result in the suspension of bus privileges.

CONSEQUENCES:

1. A Bus Conduct Report may be completed by the bus driver as a warning and forwarded to the principal.
2. Two (2) Bus Conduct Reports may result in a three- to five-day suspension from the privilege of riding the bus.
3. Three (3) Bus Conduct Reports may result in an additional ten (10) days suspension from the privilege of riding the bus.
4. Four (4) Bus Conduct Reports or zero tolerance offenses may result in suspension from the privilege of riding the bus for the remainder of the school year.
5. The parent/legal guardian may be held legally responsible for any damage to the bus and/or bus equipment by his/her child.

Depending on the severity of the offense, other consequences may be assigned, and a student could be assigned up to the maximum consequence the first time the offense is committed (FSSD Board Policy 6.308).

When necessary, this information may be modified by the FSSD administration, with the approval of the Director of Schools. Parents and users will be notified of any changes.

Bus Rules and Regulations (printable PDF)

• English
• Spanish

The Franklin Special School District offers families the opportunity to follow their child’s bus using a mobile app, called Parent Portal Lite.

The Parent Portal Lite mobile app by Education Logistics, Inc. (Edulog) allows the FSSD to share bus locations with parents and caregivers. The app can show the position of the school bus and give an alert as the bus enters a notification zone.

FSSD families and caregivers simply download the Edulog Parent Portal Lite from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store by searching for “Edulog Parent Portal Lite” and choose the app with the yellow icon – it says “LITE” at the bottom.

• Click for FSSD Instructions and FAQs

To file a complaint regarding an incident involving an FSSD school bus or bus driver, please complete the form below and submit it to the FSSD Transportation Supervisor.

Forms may be submitted in person, via phone, mail, or email.  The transportation supervisor shall begin an investigation of all bus safety complaints within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt.

Safety Complaint Form (printable PDF)

• English
• Spanish