Southern Local School District
Administrative Guidelines
 

8605 - BUS SAFETY PROCEDURES

Proper transportation of students is a matter of continuing concern and it is imperative that all staff members associated with student transportation adhere to the following guidelines which have been designed to maximize the safety of students.

 A.Each bus driver must maintain effective communications with the transportation supervisor at all times and particularly when s/he encounters any situation that is out of the ordinary.
 B.Each bus driver will be provided a manual containing all information relating to the safety and welfare of student riders. The transportation supervisor is to ensure that each driver thoroughly understands the information in the manual as well as how the manual is to be used.
  Prior to the beginning of each school year, each driver shall be instructed in CPR and first aid, including emergency procedures for dealing with such conditions as epileptic seizures, fainting, and insect bites. Those who do not meet District standards will be provided opportunities for appropriate training.
 C.The central office is to maintain a copy of the completed emergency medical authorization for each student rider by local bus number for emergencies.
 D.At the completion of each bus run, the driver is to do a complete walk-through of the bus to make sure that no student has remained.
 E.The transportation supervisor shall maintain a record of each student rider for ready reference whenever a question arises about a student.
 F.The driver shall select at least two (2) students in grades 4 and above on each bus for special training in bus evacuation procedures and in the operation of the bus communications equipment in case the driver becomes incapacitated. Written permission must be received from each student's parents prior to participation in such training. Each student who completes the training satisfactorily, shall receive a certificate of completion and a written set of instructions as to his/her responsibilities in emergency situations.
 G.In addition, the transportation supervisor shall:
  1.conduct routine and periodic surveys of the School District area and routes to determine the safety of current bus routes and bus stops;
  2.ensure that each bus driver's records of qualifications and certification are up-to-date and on file in the Treasurer's office with a physician's certificate that the bus driver has passed an annual physical;
  3.ensure compliance with all Department of Education safety specifications for school buses as well as statutory requirements for first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, traffic flares, and other safety features;
  4.maintain and update a booklet containing traffic rules and regulations and distribute a copy to each driver;
  5.ensure that there is no smoking on any school bus or in the refueling area.

Evacuation of Bus

The following procedures are to be followed when evacuating the school bus.

 A.Stop bus, if not already stopped, off the road and out of the mainstream of traffic, if possible.
 B.Put on emergency flasher lights and immediately issue orders as to which exit is to be used.
 C.Maintain calm and direct students to "walk - not run", not to take books, lunch boxes, etc., and to be careful when disembarking.
 D.Send someone or call for help after making sure that all students are evacuated.
 E.Form students into a group at least 100 feet from the bus and as far away from traffic as feasible.
 F.Check bus list to ensure all students are accounted for and are in good condition.
 G.Emergency evacuation of disabled students may require modification of the above procedures.

Evacuation Drills
 A.The transportation supervisor shall organize and conduct three (3) emergency exit drills for all students who ride school buses to and from school.
  1.Each of the following three (3) emergency procedures shall be conducted at least once annually:
   a.everyone exits through the front entrance door
   b.everyone exits through the rear emergency door
   c.front half exits through the front door and rear half exits through the rear door
  2.All drills shall be arranged and scheduled by the transportation supervisor in cooperation with building principals. School bus drivers will conduct the drill sessions.
  3.Drills shall be held on school property when possible and not on the bus route.
  4.The driver shall stay in the bus during evacuation drills. The parking brake must be set, ignition turned off, and transmission in gear or park.
  5.Children shall not take lunch boxes, books, etc., when they leave the bus.
  6.Students shall assemble at a distance of at least 100 feet from the bus in an "emergency drill" and remain there until given further directions.

Accidents
 A.In the event of an accident involving the bus, the bus driver shall:
  1.evaluate the need for medical assistance;
  2.if necessary, evacuate the students to a safe area away from the scene of the accident;
  3.notify the State Highway Patrol;
  4.notify the transportation supervisor.
 B.The transportation supervisor shall collect the data concerning the accident, notify the parents, and if necessary, arrange for another bus to transport the students.
 C.In the event of a serious accident, the procedures stipulated by the State Highway Patrol shall be followed.

Railroad Crossings

Before crossing a railroad track at grade, the driver shall:

 A.stop the vehicle within fifty (50) feet but not less than fifteen (15) feet from the nearest rail;
 B.activate hazard warning lights, turn off all interior switches including fans, heaters, and radios;
 C.open passenger door and driver-side window and, while stopped, listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train or signals indicating a train approach;
 D.proceed only after ascertaining that no train is approaching and using a gear that does not require changing gears while crossing the tracks.

The driver does not have to follow the above procedure if:

 A.the track is abandoned as designated in the District's route plan;
 B.there is a police officer or traffic-control signal directing the traffic to proceed;
 C.the crossing is on a freeway or limited-access highway if a clearly-visible signal, crossing arm, or other automatic barrier is not activated.

Tornado

In the event of a tornado sighting or warning, the bus driver shall:

 A.contact the transportation supervisor's office;
 B.pull the bus off the roadway;
 C.evacuate the bus;
 D.bring the first aid kit;
 E.take students to the nearest building, if possible;
 F.if in the open, take the students to a ditch, ravine or embankment which is at least 200 feet from the bus;
 G.instruct students to lie down on their knees with their hands clasped behind their heads;
 H.once the danger is past, assess students for any needed medical attention.

Bus Breakdown

In the event of a bus breakdown, the bus driver shall:

 A.move the bus off the roadway, if possible;
 B.notify the transportation supervisor, who shall arrange for another bus to transport the students;
 C.evacuate the students to a safe area, if necessary;
 D.stay close to the scene until assistance arrives;
 E.assist in transferring students to the backup bus;
 F.arrange, together with the transportation director to have the bus towed/repaired.

Inclement Weather

Insert here the District's current practices when weather interferes with bus transportation.

Dangerous and Illegal Weapons

The safety of students and staff is of paramount importance, and control of dangerous and/or illegal weapons is a particularly sensitive and critical responsibility. No weapon or other device that poses a danger to anyone in the vehicle shall be permitted. If a staff member discovers such a weapon or device, s/he should take the following actions:

 A.Isolate the student, if possible, and if necessary, evacuate the bus.
 B.Avoid attempts to disarm the student unless the situation appears to be life-threatening.

Quelling a Disturbance

If, during a bus trip, any students become unruly or two (2) or more students become involved in a fight or create a disturbance, the driver should proceed as follows:

 A.Stop the bus and command the students to stop the disturbance and sit properly in their seats.
 B.Do not attempt to use physical force to quell the disturbance or dispossess students of any weapon or threatening object unless assured that such action is likely to be successful and not endanger the other students or the driver.
 C.If the students do not obey, drive the bus to a safe area while notifying the transportation office and the police of the disturbance and request assistance.
 D.If the disturbance is or may be jeopardizing to the safety and well-being of the other students, evacuate all uninvolved students from the bus using the standard evacuation procedure.
 E.Do not discharge an unruly student from the bus other than at his/her regular bus stop, a law enforcement agency, or a District school, and only then, if an official at that location or the parent(s) takes custody of the student(s).
 F.Make a full report of the disturbance to the transportation supervisor upon completion of the trip.

Approved 11/18/91
Revised 3/97