EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

New students beginning after the start of the semester shall be given one week to obtain a SMART-Tag.

The Bus Pass Clause will be enforced when a student does not present a valid SMART Tag pass for three (3) consecutive days. Failure to produce a valid pass will result in the student being issued a referral. The student will then have three (3) days to replace the lost pass. If the pass is not replaced within three (3) days, another referral will be issued and the student will be denied transportation by the Transportation Security Supervisor. No student is to be denied transportation by the driver until notification is received from the Transportation Security Supervisor.

To request a new, renewal, or replacement pass drivers should direct the students and parents to our website for instructions at www.avsta.com.

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.

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Revised 8/9/2023