Transportation

Important Procedures Student ConductDenial of Bus Privileges
Inclement Weather Bus Stops Inclement Weather Procedures 

FAQs

Who rides our buses?
We provide transportation for nearly 15,500 students attending 27 schools in the Red Clay Consolidated School District on 175 buses which make multiple trips to cover approximately 800 bus routes.

Who drives our buses?
Approximately 240 drivers are required to cover all of the Red Clay routes. School bus drivers must complete 18 hours of State training. They must also complete training and testing for a commercial driver's license (CDL). In addition, each driver must obtain a criminal background check and an annual physical. All drivers are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Who is eligible for transportation? 

• Elementary Schools-Students who live one mile or more from the elementary school in their feeder pattern.
• Secondary Schools (Middle and High Schools) - Students who live two miles or more from the secondary school in their feeder pattern.
• Intensive Learning Centers, Positive Learning Center, and Meadowood Programs - Transportation for students assigned to these programs will be provided in accordance with public law.

How many students are permitted on a bus?

Why can't we provide transportation to different pick-up or delivery locations on different buses on different days?
According to State law, each student eligible for transportation is permitted one seat on a bus. Providing transportation to and from different locations on different days would require the assignment of multiple seats for those students.

Who determines the number of students permitted on a bus and the distance a student must live from his feeder school to be eligible for transportation?
Bus loads as well as walking distances are determined by the State Board of Education.

How do we provide transportation for children requiring care before and after school at day care facilities?
We provide transportation for students whose day care is officially licensed by the State of Delaware. We provide transportation for students whose day care is in the same feeder pattern as the school they are attending. We pick up and deliver students to the closest possible stop to their day care. The enclosed sheet shows the elementary schools in our district and the day care centers for each school. Transportation does not endorse or recommend any specific day care center.

How do we provide transportation for Choice students?
Students who live in the Red Clay Consolidated School district and have chosen to attend a school that is not in their feeder pattern will be picked up and delivered to the closest established stop on an existing bus route for the school they are attending. This location is designated by the Transportation Department.

Students who do not live in the Red Clay Consolidated School District will be picked up and delivered to the closest established stop for the school attended (inside the District). This location is designated by the Transportation Department.

Does the school district have a policy regarding behavior on the school bus?
Acceptable behavior on a school bus is addressed on pages 26 and 27 in the Student Code of Conduct.

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Important Transportation Procedures

Effective May 18, 1988, the Red Clay School District adopted a new drop-off procedure to ensure the safe transport of children.

The Red Clay School District is requiring a parent/guardian or designee to meet their child at their assigned bus stop each and every day for the following groups of children:

• The student who is a kindergartner
• The student who is under five years of age
• The student who has special needs and requires adult assistance

Failure of a parent/guardian or designee to meet their child as identified above at their assigned bus stop will result in the following action:

• Transportation will contact the student's school and report that no one is home to receive the child.
• Transportation will return the child to school. The parent will be responsible for picking the child up at school. At this time, the parent will receive a letter reminding them of the district's policy.
• Second offense: Parent will receive a warning indicating additional offenses will result in termination of transportation.
• Third offense will result in terminating transportation services along with a referral to the Division of Family Services.

We thank our parents in advance for their cooperation with these safety procedures. Our number one priority, as we know is yours, is your child's safety.

2/l/99 Update (Icj)

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Student Conduct on School Buses

The bus is an extention of the school day. The Student Code of Conduct remains in effect any time the student is on the school bus (including the assigned bus to and from school, activity buses, sports buses, and field trips, etc.).

Buses are provided for those students whose distance from school or health make this service essential. Children should be instructed in the following rules of behavior:

1. Pupils must obey the driver promptly, and be courteous to the driver and to fellow pupils. The driver is in full charge of the bus and pupils, and has the authority of a classroom teacher.

2. Pupils must be on time; the bus has to run on schedule and cannot wait for those who are tardy.

3. Pupils should never stand or play on the roadway while waiting for the bus.

4. Before boarding the bus, pupils must keep a safe distance from it while it is in motion.

5. Pupils must enter the bus without crowding or disturbing others and occupy their seats immediately.

6. Pupils must not try to get on or off the bus when it is in motion. When on the bus, they must remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop.

7. Pupils must keep out of the driver's seat and remember that unnecessary conversation with the driver is prohibited while the bus is in motion.

8. In approaching the bus or a bus stop along the highway, a pupil should walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. The pupil should be sure that the road is clear of all traffic or that all traffic has stopped before crossing. Upon leaving the bus, the pupil should immediately walk around the front of the bus and stop before crossing. The pupil should make sure that the road is either clear of all or that all traffic has come to a complete stop before crossing.

9. In crossing the street or highway at any time, pupils should look both to the right and to the left, then WALK -- not run.

10. Outside the ordinary conversation in normal tone, classroom conduct is to be observed when on the bus.

11. Pupils must not call out to passersby. They should not open the bus windows without permission from the driver; not extend head or arms out of the windows.

12. Pupils will not leave the bus without the driver's consent, except on arrival at their regular bus stop or at school.

13. Pupils should help to keep the bus clean, sanitary, and orderly. They must not damage or abuse the equipment.

14. Pupils are not permitted to smoke while on the bus.

15. Pupils must not use profanity while on the bus.

16. Pupils must not throw articles of any kind in, out, or around the bus.

17. Pupils are not to eat or drink while on the bus.

18. Other forms of misconduct that will not be tolerated are acts such as, but not limited to, indecent exposure, obscene gestures, and spitting.

19. Pupils are to conduct themselves while on the bus in such a way that it will not distract the driver from the job of driving.

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Denial of Bus Privileges

Denial of bus privileges is the temporary removal of the opportunity to ride the school bus. Such denials are for a period not to exceed five school days. The principal may, however, deny bus privileges for a period to exceed five (5) days for repeated misbehavior. Denials for longer than five (5) days must have the approval of the Superintendent or his designee.

Prior to denial of bus privileges, the student shall:

A. Be given oral or written notice of the charges and be told who is making these charges or complaints.
B. Be given a fair and impartial hearing and have the opportunity to present the student's side of the story.
C. Have had prior opportunity to know that the misbehavior was in violation of established rules and regulations.
D. Be advised that denial of bus privileges may be appealed to the next higher authority.

In all cases of denial of bus privileges, an attempt shall be made to notify the parents by telephone and with a written notification of the denial sent to the parents within 24 hours.

During the denial of bus privileges, it shall be the parents' responsibility to provide the students transportation to school. Should the student be absent, the responsibility for initiating the makeup work and turning in assignments rests with the student.

Denial of bus privileges shall not be used as a disciplinary action for non bus related violations.

Upon the third bus suspension within one school year, the student will be placed on a behavioral contract. Upon the fourth bus suspension within one school year, a principal must refer the case to the Superintendent or his designee for further action, including possible recommendation for extended denial of bus privileges.

Bus routes problems concerning the bus routes, bus arrival time, etc. should be, referred to the Red Clay Transportation Office at 302.322.0251.

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FYI!

Red Clay Consolidated School District Superintendent Search Information Click here for more information Board Policy Review Committee Meeting January 7, 2009 See details Mark Your Calendar Family Resource Fair January 26, 2009 See details Red Clay Community Financial Review Committee January 12, 2009 See Agenda