Transportation

Bus stops are established at suitable places based on guidelines developed by the School Board. Transportation services are provided based on distance guidelines established by the School Board. The district provides transportation to:

• Elementary students who live seven-tenths of a mile or more from school
• Middle School students who live one or more miles or more from school
• High school students who live one or more miles from school.

We suggest that parents with a student first entering middle school or high school check with their school or the Transportation Office to see how their transportation eligibility has changed.

Transportation is also provided in certain areas recognized as hazardous by the School Board.

School Bus Safety Video - MN Department of Public Safety

• Arrange for your child to be at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick up time. 
• Help your child learn his or her route number(s).
• Teach your children about the DANGER ZONE. The DANGER ZONE is the area ten feet around the bus. This is the area where most accidents occur. 
• Discuss and demonstrate pedestrian safety with your children and reinforce safe crossing after exiting a bus:  
  • When getting off a bus, look to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road).
  • Before crossing the street, take five “giant steps” out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen.
  • Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
  • Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic when crossing.
• Arrange for first time and young riders to be accompanied to and from the bus stop the first few days of school.
• Understand that bus pick-up and drop-off times are based on existing weather and road conditions.  Inclement weather, traffic congestion, road construction, and demographic changes can cause minor adjustments to route times.  Attempts will be made to notify parents about major adjustments in bus schedules that may affect their child.  If the bus is more than ten minutes late, direct your child to return home. Call the Transportation Office.
• Help your children learn and understand the School Bus Rules.

• Immediately follow the directions of the driver.
• Sit in your own seat facing forward.
• Talk quietly and use appropriate language.
• Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.
• Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.
• No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.
• Do not throw any object.
• No eating, drinking or use of tobacco or drugs.
• Do not bring any weapon or dangerous objects on the school bus.
• Do not damage the school bus.

Riding the bus to school is a privilege, not a right. MN 121a.59 states "Transportation by school bus is a privilege, not a right for an eligible student. A student's eligibility to ride a school bus may be revoked for a violation of school bus safety or conduct policies, or for violation of any other law governing student conduct on a school bus, pursuant to written school discipline policy."

Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct apply to all routes. Decisions regarding a student's ability to ride the bus in connection with co-curricular and extra-curricular events (i.e., field trips or competitions) will be the sole discretion of the School District. Parents or guardians will be notified of any suspension of bus privileges. 

This is a general guideline and, based on severity of offense, may further restrict student’s privilege of riding the bus.

Assigned seating may be used at the full discretion of the driver or school administration.  Refusal to comply may result in immediate loss of riding privileges.

• 1st offense: Verbal Warning to student by driver
• 2nd offense: Written Warning to student and parent/guardian from driver and school administration. 
• 3rd offense: Up to 5 days Suspension from riding the bus
• 4th offense: Up to 10 days Suspension from riding the bus.

Further offenses are determined on an individual basis.  Students may be suspended for longer periods up to and including the remainder of the school year.  

The majority of student riders follow the rules and help make the experience enjoyable for everyone. Parental support of School Bus Rules helps us ensure a safe, comfortable ride every day, and throughout the school year.