Roles & Responsibilities

1. Route, schedule and tier school buses in adherence with Federal, State and local guidelines so that all students eligible for transportation are given access to safe, adequate and economical bus transportation.
2. Establish bus stop locations in adherence with State and local policies.
3. Address concerns from parents, school administrators, bus drivers, contractors and the motoring public regarding the operation of Carroll County Public Schools buses.
4. Provide screening and training to ensure Carroll County Public school bus drivers and assistants are highly qualified.
5. Establish and enforce transportation procedures, regulations and rules.
6. Inspect all buses in accordance with Federal, State and Local statutes and regulations.
7. Provide critical data regarding school bus number, pick up and drop off time and stop location to parents through schools and local newspapers. This data is provided in mid August every year. Pick up and drop off times are estimates only and are subject to change.
8. Notify parents when school bus changes occur so that parents can make adjustments as necessary.

9. Safety First Parent Student Handbook is a handbook provided to parents of Carroll County Public School kindergarten children. The handbook provides a summary of the policies and procedures required to safely operate buses for children who choose to ride the bus. Click on the link for more information.

The safe operation of any pupil transportation operation is best achieved with the cooperation and collaboration of parents, students and staff. Parents play a key part in the Transportation Services Department safety team. Parents can help ensure that their child(ren) remain safe by following the guidelines listed below.

1. Be certain that your children arrive at the bus stop on time and are dressed properly for weather and safety conditions. The Transportation Services Department recommends students arrive at the bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.
2. Help your children develop and practice safe walking routes to and from school and the bus stop.
3. Encourage your children to obey all traffic rules, signs and signals. The best instruction is often a good example.
4. Accept responsibility for the proper conduct of your children before they board the bus and after they are discharged.
5. Make every effort to cooperate with those who have the important job of getting your child to and from school safely.
6. Remind your child to walk ten feet in front of the bus and to look both ways before crossing.
7. Teach your child that riding a school bus is a privilege, not a right. This privilege may be temporarily suspended or permanently revoked if a student's misconduct jeopardizes him/herself, or the safety of others.
8. Teach your child to report to you, the school administrator or their teacher, if they are approached by a stranger at the bus stop.
9. Teach your children to carry their books, papers and school supplies either in a back pack or some container that can be held on their lap or between their legs on the floor.
10. Teach your child never to pick up papers or objects that drop when they are crossing in front of the bus. When this occurs, your child cannot be seen by the bus driver, and is in danger. The dropped object should be picked up after the bus has left the area.

Help your children have a safe day, EVERYDAY!!!

1. Arrive at the bus stop five minutes before pick-up time.
2. Walk safely to the bus stop and wait in a safe manner away from traffic
3. Respect the right of property owners while walking to or waiting at the bus stop.
4. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop prior to boarding the bus.
5. Watch your step and use the handrail when getting on and off the bus.
6. Board in an orderly manner, without pushing or shoving, at your stop or at school.
7. Take your seat promptly and remain seated for your ride to and from school.
8. Sit in the seat facing front; keep your feet, books and other articles out of the aisle.
9. Keep your hands and head inside the bus.
10. Speak quiet and respectfully to your bus driver and other students.
11. Do not damage any part of the bus and report any damage that you see to the driver.
12. Do not eat, drink, smoke or use vulgar language.
13. Do not tamper with any of the bus equipment or controls.
14. Remain quiet and orderly so the driver is not distracted from the important job of driving
15. Do not throw any object on the bus or outside the bus.
16. Listen to the bus driver's instructions.
17. Wait until the bus has come to a stop before leaving your seat.
18. Cross ten feet in front of the bus with the warning lights when crossing in front of the bus.
19. Always look left, right, left to check for traffic before crossing any street, even when crossing in front of the bus with its red warning lights on.

1. Follow the designated route time and schedule.
2. Pick up and discharge students at approved stops only.
3. Ensure the bus is in safe operating condition.
4. Maintain a safe and orderly environment on the school bus.
5. Inform students of behavioral expectations.
6. Report unacceptable school bus behavioral violations to the school administrator as necessary.
7. Drive the bus in a safe, professional manner.