Student Transportation Notice

 

West ISD makes school bus transportation available to all students residing in the district two or more miles from school. This service is provided at no cost to students. Under some circumstances, such as student safety, the district may permit students who live within two miles of the school to use school transportation. A fee may be charged for this service. Bus routes and any subsequent changes are posted at the schools. 

 

See the Student Code of Conduct for provisions regarding transportation to the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP). 

 

Students being transported in school-owned vehicles shall comply with the Student Code of Conduct. Any student who fails to comply with that code or established rules of conduct while on school transportation may be denied transportation services and shall be subject to disciplinary action. 

 

Student safety is very important and this is, of course, a primary concern on school buses. Student behavior plays the most significant role in the welfare and safety of students on the buses. In order to ensure the safety of all students on the buses, we need the help of our parents. 

If a child’s behavior warrants notification to the school principal, the student will meet with the principal and disciplinary action will be taken as necessary. Any reported offense could result in removal from riding the bus. 

 

A person (including students and parents) commits an offence if the person intentionally disrupts, prevents, or interferes with the lawful transportation of students to and from school or an activity sponsored by a school on a vehicle owned or operated by a county or independent school district.  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of $500 may be levied under Chapter 37.126 of the Texas Education Code.

 

Serious offenses will be punishable by removal from the bus for a period of time to be determined by the principal. Serious offenses include, but are not limited to:

• Fighting
• Serious disrespect to the bus driver, the aide, or other students.
• Continuous violation or disregard of bus rules.

 

 

Students are expected to assist district staff in ensuring that buses and other district vehicles, remain in good condition and that transportation is provided safely. When riding in district vehicles, including buses, students are held to behavioral standards established in this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct. Students must: 

• Follow the driver’s directions at all times. 
• Enter and leave the vehicle in an orderly manner at the designated stop. 
• Keep feet, books, instrument cases, and other objects out of the aisle. 
• Not deface the vehicle or its equipment. 
• Not put head, hands, arms, or legs out of the window, hold any object out of the window, or throw objects within or out of the vehicle. 
• Not possess or use any form or tobacco on any district vehicle. . 
• Be seated while the vehicle is moving. 
• Wait for the driver’s signal upon leaving the vehicle and before crossing in front of the vehicle. 
• Students must have the bus driver's and/or aide's permission to use cell phones or electronic equipment such as video games.

Bus drivers are not required to wait for your child to get on the bus in the morning.  The bus should arrive at your house at about the same time each day.  Please have your child ready for pick-up on time in order to keep the buses on schedule so that students arrive on time.

 

The buses are normally filled to capacity and taking on extra riders can sometimes make it difficult to transport all the regular riders.  

 

When students ride in a district van, bus or any passenger vehicle equipped with seat belts, seat belts must be fastened at all times. Misconduct will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; the privilege to ride in a district vehicle, including a school bus, may be suspended or revoked. 

 

For additional information, please contact Shona Maler, Transportation Department, at (254) 981-2032.