EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

T. STUDENTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSPORTATION Before denying transportation to a student who is not eligible for transportation, the driver must contact Dispatch for direction. If a child refuses transportation, his name shall be radioed in to Dispatch. U. SPECIAL PERMISSION TO RIDE THE BUS Students shall ride only the bus to which he or she is assigned. Students may be allowed to ride another bus with prior approval and only in the case of emergency when seats are available on the bus. The signed permission by the parent must be submitted to the school in advance. The school shall give permission after verifying the information. V. USE OF AM/FM RADIOS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES Drivers must exercise caution in the use of any AM/FM radio equipped in a school bus. It is not acceptable to set these radios at a high volume with loud music, or to tune to an inappropriate radio station. Inappropriate music of any kind is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. W. USE OF WIRELESS ELECTRONIC DEVICES The use of any type of wireless electronic device while driving an Agency vehicle, including cell phones, smart phones, Bluetooth devices, or any device connected with ear buds or headphones, is strictly prohibited. Unless specifically instructed to do so by a Dispatcher or a Supervisor, cell phones may not be used for any purpose while on paid status which includes walking to and from the bus in the yard. Any violation of this policy will lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination. X.STUDENT ABANDONMENT OR UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE 1. At no time shall a driver leave their students unattended in a locked or unlocked vehicle, except under the strict guidelines of an emergency. This includes leaving students with any person who is not a school official or an Agency Employee. 2. It is unlawful for any student to be left in a locked or unlocked vehicle from which he or she cannot readily escape. The driver shall not return to the bus yard for any reason with students on board. This is a safety hazard to the student as well as a liability to the Agency. If an emergency exists and there is a need to return to the yard with students, the emergency should be communicated to Dispatch, informing Dispatch that students are still on board the bus. A Supervisor must grant permission to return to the yard with students. 3. During the first few weeks of school, it is not uncommon for special needs students to get disoriented or lost. As the driver loads the bus, care must be taken that all students are identified by an aide or teacher. The SMART tag tablet or route sheet should be referenced to ensure the student is listed, their stop identified, and the release information is marked. “Y” is for “release to self” and “N” is “not release to self.” A student who is marked “N” shall never be released in the absence of the person designated to receive the student without permission from a Supervisor. Student counts must be taken as student’s board and leave the bus. If a student boards a bus and is not recognized by the driver or has no paperwork authorizing ridership, Dispatch must be called immediately. 4. In the event that a student boards an Agency bus at the incorrect stop, under no circumstances shall that student be released at an undesignated bus stop without permission from a supervisor. Dispatch must be called immediately for further instructions. Dispatch shall be provided the student’s name and a telephone number

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Revised 8/14/2024