School Buses

The District’s first priority is to assure the safety of all students who are provided district transportation. In accordance with Arizona statutes bus transportation may be provided for students who live more than one and a half miles from their attending school within their boundaries. Student transportation is a privilege extended to students in the district boundaries and is not a statutory requirement, except for transportation of students with disabilities as indicated in their respective individual education plan.

Responsibility of the School Bus Driver

In accordance to Article V1-8, Arizona Revised Statutes: “The driver of any school bus shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct and safety of the pupils transported.”A bus driver has the same authority as a teacher in the classroom. All adult passengers, such as activity sponsors, teachers, etc. will assume supervision of the students but are also under the authority of the school bus driver. Safety is not just a driver concern, but is a shared responsibility throughout our district.

Bus Routes

In compiling the bus stops, routes and schedules, consideration was made for fairness, efficiency and safety for the students. Students are required to be at their designated bus stop 5 minutes prior to their scheduled pick up time. Bus schedules are available at each campus via their web query. Should a revision be required in bus schedules during the school year, revised schedules will be sent home with the students prior to the effective date.

Bus Pass

Student ID’s are required and must be shown upon boarding the bus in the morning and the afternoon. In the morning, students without an ID will be allowed to ride the bus to school if it can be determined the student is an authorized bus rider. A site administrator will be informed. If a student does not have an ID in the afternoon, they will not be allowed to ride the bus home without a bus pass. Students may obtain a bus pass from the office authorizing them to ride the bus home for that day. Bus passes need to be obtained by your lunch period or they will not be issued; do not wait till the end of the day .Students are only allowed to exit the bus at their assigned stop. If a student is going home with another student or needs to get off at a different bus stop than what they are assigned, a note signed by the parent/guardian needs to be written to the school and signed by an administrator. The note will then be attached to a bus pass authorizing them to get off at a different bus stop. A student who intentionally exits at the wrong stop for any reason without permission will receive a referral.

Tutor Bus

Activity Buses will be available after school for athletic and detention students needing transportation. The bus is not intended for athletics, detention or students who missed their regular bus. Each student must have a bus pass signed by the teacher who was tutoring them. The bus route will be a limited number of bus stops accommodating each school’s attendance boundary.

Bus Evacuations

All students are required to participate in two emergency bus evacuations a school year. Bus evacuations will be conducted by the school bus driver under the supervision of school personnel.

Bus Rules

The bus is an extension of the school setting with all rules of behavior continuing in effect. Disorderly conduct or refusing to respect the authority of the school bus driver shall be sufficient reason for the pupil to be denied transportation. The school bus driver may assign seats. All students who will ride the bus should become familiar with the bus rules for their safety as well as others. The following is posted in all school buses and must be followed at all times. Bus drivers will make every attempt to ensure that students are familiar with the bus rules.

State law forbids the following items on a school bus:

• Glass
• Insects
• Animals
• Tobacco
• Drugs
• Weapons
• Dangerous Items