709R - Student Transportation Safety Policy Student Conduct-Bus Referral Procedures

The creation of a positive, safe atmosphere on the bus is an important part of each bus driver’s responsibility. Maintaining this atmosphere will require the driver to take action in building relationships with students and to intervene if behavior standards are not met.

Two levels of intervention are recommended if behavior standards are not met, informal and formal.

Informal

Following are a listing of suggested actions the driver should take before beginning the formal referral process. The driver should:

1. Maintain open communication with students exhibiting improper behavior.
2. Establish lines of communication with parents/guardian of students exhibiting improper behavior.
3. Assign seats to students who are exhibiting improper behavior.
4. Discuss the situation with the building principal. Meet with the principal and student if it seems appropriate, or have the principal talk to the student about his/her behavior.

Formal:

When the informal actions do not correct the improper behavior, formal action should be taken. The formal steps are as follows:

*Refer to attached “Bus Report” and document as each action is taken.

First Report

1. Driver will discuss the student’s misbehavior with him/her and inform the student that a Bus Report is being completed.
2. Driver contacts parent/guardian to discuss student’s misbehavior and inform him/her that a Bus Report is being process.
3. Driver completes a Bus Report and sends it to the Transportation Supervisor, who will forward it to the principal.
4. The principal will file the report, letter may or may not be sent home.

Second Report

1. The driver talks to the student informing him/her of the referral.
2. The driver sends the bus discipline report to the Transportation Supervisor who will forward it to the principal. The information on the bus discipline report should explain in detail who misbehaved, what happened, witnesses and how the driver knows of the offense.
3. The driver may call the principal and give additional information and details.
4. The principal meets with the student(s) and sends a bus letter to the parent(s).
5. Up to a 3-day suspension from riding the bus may be imposed at the discretion of the principal or principal’s designee.

Third Report

1. The driver talks to the student(s) informing him/her of the referral.
2. The driver sends the bus discipline report to the Transportation Supervisor who will forward it to the principal. The information on the bus discipline report should explain in detail who misbehaved, what happened, witnesses, and how the driver knows of the offense.
3. Up to a 5-day suspension from riding the bus may be imposed at the discretion of the principal or principal designee.
4. The principal sends a bus letter to parent(s)/guardian(s) notifying them of the suspension.

Fourth Report

1. The driver talks to the student informing him/her of the referral.
2. The driver sends the bus discipline report to the Transportation Supervisor who will forward it to the principal. The information on the bus discipline report should explain in detail who misbehaved, what happened, witnesses, and how the driver knows of the offense.
3. Up to a 10-day suspension from riding the bus may be imposed at the discretion of the principal or principal designee. The principal sends a bus letter to parent(s)/guardian(s) notifying them of the suspension.
4. A parent/student/principal/driver conference is required before the student resumes riding the bus.

Fifth Report

1. The driver talks to the student informing him/her of the referral.
2. The driver sends the bus discipline report to the Transportation Supervisor who will forward it to the principal. The information on the bus discipline report should explain in detail who misbehaved, what happened, witnesses and how the driver knows of the offense.
3. A parent conference is held. Suspension from riding the bus for the remainder of the year may be imposed at the discretion of the principal or principal’s designee.

Serious Bus Conduct Violations:

Students who misbehave severely may be returned to the school immediately and reported to the building principal or other designated individual.

Based on the severity of a student’s conduct, more serious consequences may be imposed at any time. Depending on the nature of the offense, consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school may also result from school bus/bus stop misconduct.

Records:

Records of school bus/bus stop misconduct will be forwarded to the individual school building and will be retained in the same manner as other student discipline records. Reports of serious misconduct will be provided to the Department of Public Safety. Records may also be maintained in the Transportation Office.

SCHOOL BUS RULES

Note Policy #709.

Source: Cambridge-Isanti Schools

Reviewed: 11-15-01, 4-17-08

Approved: 12-22-83, 11-21-91, 3-25-92, 8-24-95, 12-20-01, 5-22-08