Policies & Procedures

The pupil transportation system in Carroll County is operated under State and Local policies and guidelines established by the Maryland State Department of Education and the Carroll County Board of Education. The Transportation Services Department emphasizes the following policies for parental information:

• High school and Middle school pupils, in order to be eligible for transportation, must live one(1) mile or more from school. Pupils who are transported are expected, where necessary, to walk these same distances to bus routes or bus stops. This walking distance is not measured for persons living on unimproved roads or for handicapped pupils.
• Pupils may not ride buses other than those to which they are regularly assigned, without approval by the principal, following a written request by the parent.
• All pupils who are eligible shall be provided transportation to attend the school within their appropriate attendance area.
• Bus stops should not be less than 1/4 of a mile apart.
• One AM and one PM stop location shall be allowed for each transported student. Exceptions will be made only in case of an emergency or when an extenuating circumstance exists and shall be approved by the Principal.
• Pupils should be at the bus stop five (5) minutes before pick up time.
• Pupils who must cross the road shall do so at a point approximately 10' in front of the bus without unnecessary delay. Prior to crossing in front of the bus, students should look both ways and make sure the red lights of the school bus are flashing. No one should walk behind the bus when boarding or after being dropped-off.
• Parents are responsible for the supervision of students while walking to or from school or while walking to, from, or waiting at the bus stop.
• Those who are legally entitled to ride school buses are bus contractors, bus drivers, assigned pupils, and employees assigned for supervision of pupils.
• A pupil who damages the school bus in any manner shall be denied the privilege of riding a bus. Suspension of riding privileges shall be authorized by the Principal. Riding privileges may be restored to the pupil after restitution has been made.
• Pupils shall not bring the following items on board the bus without prior approval by the bus driver: large musical instruments or bulky items. Live insects or animals shall not be permitted on the school bus. Pupils attending the Outdoor School program shall be permitted to transport their equipment on the regular school bus if space is available and an unsafe situation is not created.

In order for a pupil transportation department to run safely and effectively; parents, students and the Transportation Services Department must work together as a team. The goal of the Transportation Handbook for Parents and Students is to provide parents and students a general overview of the Transportation Services Department so that the team runs as safely and smoothly as possible. Please read the handbook and review school bus and walker safety with your child(ren). If there are any questions, please contact the appropriate Area Supervisor.

Transportation Handbook for Parents and Students

Safety Is You and What You Do. Riding the school bus is a privilege. A student that does not follow the school bus safety rules, endangers himself/herself or others, and does not respect the rights of others may lose his/her riding privilege. In order to maintain a safe and orderly environment on the school bus, it may be necessary to use disciplinary measures on students displaying unacceptable behavior. The disciplinary steps your driver should implement are listed below.

• First Offense - The bus driver will warn the student that the behavior is inappropriate and that a disciplinary referral will result if the behavior continues.
• Second Offense - The bus driver will write a disciplinary referral to be distributed to the school administrator. The school administrator will send a warning letter to parents.
• Third Offense - The school administrator may suspend the student's riding privilege for up to one week.
• Fourth Offense - The school administrator may suspend the student's bus riding privilege for one week or longer.
• Fifth Offense - The school administrator may revoke the student's riding privilege.

Fighting and other unsafe actions may cause immediate suspension.