GENERAL INFORMATION
State law does not require a school district to provide free transportation to any students; but if a District does provide transportation, The Transportation Department of Owen J. Roberts School District exists to carry out the District’s obligations to provide safe, economical, and timely transportation to all eligible residential school students.
BUS FLEET
The Owen J. Roberts School District has elected to use the services of an independent school bus contractor for its comprehensive network of student transportation services. The contractor works directly with District personnel in carrying out the day-to-day operation of transporting students to and from school.
The contractor is responsible for the safety of the buses, the proper qualification of all drivers, and that sufficient buses and drivers are available at all times to complete each scheduled route.
All school buses provided by the contractor are diesel and have a maximum seating capacity for 72-passengers unless certain specialized requirements are called for. All buses meet, or exceed, all current State and Federal laws governing school bus safety specifications.
Transportation will be provided only for students who are legal residents of the Owen J. Roberts School District. Students who are legal residents of the Owen J. Roberts School District and attend non-public schools located outside the District’s boundaries at a distance not exceeding ten (10) miles by the nearest public highway, are eligible for transportation upon written verification of the student’s enrollment furnished by the attending school. Kindergarten students are provided with one way transportation only. Noon transportation is not provided. *Kindergarten students must be accompanied at the bus stop by a parent/guardian or older sibling.
Students eligible for transportation may be required to walk up to 1-1/2 miles (elementary) or 2 miles (secondary) to their assigned bus stop; and, up to five hundred feet (500) on a roadway that has been designated “hazardous” by PennDOT, Title 67, Chap. 447, Para. 447.3(d).
In accordance with district policy bus stops are usually no more than four stops per mile but not less than 500 feet apart.
The administration shall endeavor to minimize walking distances and riding time whenever practical and feasible.
Safety is the primary concern of the District’s Transportation Department. All school buses used in the transportation of Owen J. Roberts school children conform to the most rigid safety standards prescribed for by the school bus industry.
Every year each school bus used in transporting school students is subject to two (2) official PA State Inspections. In addition, the Pennsylvania State Police conduct one scheduled inspection of all buses each year, and periodically perform surprise inspections. Also, each driver is required to visually inspect his or her bus and to complete a “safety pre-trip inspection” prior to the start of each trip.
BUS SERVICES
Owen J. Roberts School District is compromised of seven (7) townships: East Coventry, South Coventry, North Coventry, East Vincent, West Vincent, Warwick, and East Nantmeal, which encompasses approximately 104 square miles.
The Owen J. Roberts School District has elected to use the services of an independent school bus contractor for its comprehensive network of student transportation services. The Owen J. Roberts School District’s Transportation Department provides transportation to approximately 4,650 public school students and over 1,000 non-public school students utilizing approximately 2000 assigned bus stops, logging over 7,960 miles daily.
In addition to the daily to and from regular school schedules, the District provides transportation services for athletic events, other curricular events, and educational field trips.
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER’S CERTIFICATIONS:
All drivers must meet the minimum standards of their position in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, Bureau of Traffic safety, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Public School Code,Public Welfare code, Owen J. Roberts School District’s contractual and procedural guidelines and Gross School Bus Services Employees Manual. Employment checks and screening are as follows:
Driver’s license – all drivers must possess a valid driver’s license.
Medical Examination – All drivers must pass a medical examination conducted by a licensed health care professional and be issued a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, which must be carried at all times and be renewed every year.
MVR – Motor vehicle record check will be made of all driving related activities for the preceding three years as well as annually.
Criminal History Review – All drivers are subject to a criminal history review by the Pennsylvania State Police to determine if the individual has a record indicating a criminal concern. Applicants from another state will be subject to an FBI check. Criminal history clearances are subject to a periodic review.
Child Abuse Review – All drivers are subject to a review by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to determine if the individual has a record indicating a child abuse concern. Child Abuse Clearances are subject to a periodic review.
Drug Testing – All drivers are subject to a Pre-employment Drug test. Federal law mandates this test. Follow up drug testing of CDL drivers is done by random selection by an independent drug testing company.
CDL Permit – All potential drivers must obtain a Commercial Driving license Permit. If there is an outstanding citation a CDL permit will not be issued until the citation is rectified.
Drivers Training- All school bus drivers in Pennsylvania must be certified and hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). To become certified as a school bus driver for the District, an individual must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, possess a valid driver’s license, pass a physical examination, attend at least fourteen (14) hours of classroom instructions, receive a minimum of six (6) hours of behind-the-wheel training, and pass a series of school bus driver’s tests administered by the Pennsylvania State Police or third party licensing examinor.
CDL License – All school bus drivers must possess a valid CDL license with a passenger and school bus endorsements.
MAINTAINING CERTIFICATIONS:
All school bus drivers are required to complete the following re-certifications:
Annually pass a physical examination
Annual check of their motor vehicle record
Random drug testing
Every four (4) years:
Attend fourteen (14) hours of classroom instructions, receive three (3) hours of behind-the-wheel refresher training and retake a school bus driver’s test and have a review of their Criminal and Child Abuse Clearances.
Safety is the main concern when transporting the district’s students. In addition to the requirements set forth, a minimum of five school bus driver’s seminars are provided annually emphasizing the district’s regulations and procedural safety guidelines.
WAITING FOR THE SCHOOL BUS
Students are expected to leave their residence in sufficient time to avoid having the bus wait or avoid missing the bus entirely.
Students are to ride only on their assigned bus. While waiting for the bus, students should
Be at the bus stop five (5) minutes before the scheduled time;
Whenever the bus is delayed because of weather or mechanical failure wait for a reasonable length of time, depending on the weather conditions;
Stay off the road at all times while waiting for the bus;
Do not push or crowd when boarding the bus
Be considerate of private property - keep off lawns and stay away from parked cars;
Do not attempt to board the bus at school loading zones until the bus has been brought to a complete stop; and
Do not run after the bus in an attempt to board once the bus has been put into motion.
RIDING ON THE SCHOOL BUS
Students are expected to obey and respect the orders of the bus driver. The bus driver is required to report any discipline problem(s) to the appropriate school administrator.
While riding on the bus, students are to remain in their assigned seats and not exhibit any behavior that could be detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students and/or bus driver. Strictly forbidden activities are:
Throwing of objects within the bus;
Moving around within the bus; and
Hanging out of the windows or throwing objects out the window.
Students are required to ride facing forward at all times. If seat belts are installed, they must be fastened.
Students may talk quietly but should avoid loud, boisterous behavior that could distract the bus driver. Obscene or vulgar language is strictly prohibited.
Avoid unnecessary conversation(s) with the bus driver.
Eating and drinking of any kind is strictly prohibited on the school bus.
Smoking is strictly prohibited on the school bus and/or anywhere else on school property.
Students are expected to keep their bus and all school property clean and free of litter.
Students are not to mar or damage the school bus in any way. Students caught willfully damaging a school bus and/or school property will be held financially accountable and may be subject to criminal prosecution.
Certain items are prohibited from being brought on the school bus:
Animals of any kind are not permitted on school buses;
Large musical instruments that could block the aisle, preventing an emergency exit; and
Objects that could be harmful, such as glass containers, sharp metal objects, knives of any kind.
Any sports item that could block the aisle and/or is not school related, Example: Skate boards, roller blades, sleds.
If students must bring any of the above items to school (for music instruction, show & tell, science projects, etc.,) parents are expected to transport students.
Students are to remain in their seats until their destination is reached and the school bus has come to a complete stop.
Students are to leave the bus only at their assigned stop. After exiting the school bus, watch carefully for oncoming traffic and walk on the sidewalks; or, if there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side shoulder, facing traffic, do not cross the road behind the bus.
When students misbehave on the afternoon buses, drivers are to take disciplinary measures in the same order as they do on the morning bus runs. However, in all probability, school administrators have departed for the day, therefore, all disciplinary fractions should be reported to the appropriate school immediately the following school day. Under no circumstances are students to be denied or removed from the bus.
SCHOOL BUS ROUTES AND BUS STOPS
The District’s Transportation Department is charged with providing safe and reasonable transportation for public and non-public students under provisions of applicable local, state, and Federal laws and regulations.
School bus routes are developed using each student’s “residence” and “school”, therefore, each student’s bus assignment and stop are then determined accordingly.
All bus routes shall conform to the District’s policy that no students be required to walk more than one and one-half miles for elementary students (K-6), and two (2) miles for secondary students (7-12) to an assigned bus stop.
Bus routes and bus stops are established to pick up as large a group of students as possible as long as the number of students boarding the bus does not adversely interfere with private property, traffic flow, student control, and or other public concern.
School buses will not enter any new housing development until the development’s roadways have been dedicated to the municipality, and the dedication is presented to the Transportation Department.
Bus routes and stops will be established on public roadways upon which school buses can travel over safely, and without causing undue traffic hazards, cul-de-sacs and private roads not included.
Any student who needs a special bus stop established for medical reasons must provide proper written notification from a physician.
Parents who request their child attend an elementary school outside of their Board approved attendance area, shall be responsible for transportation if the request is approved.
Parents of non-resident students who have been permitted to attend District schools, are responsible for their child’s transportation as determined by the Non-Resident Agreement.
The School District will not transport regular education students to other school district’s public schools.
All student bus stops shall be appropriately located, in accordance to district policy to be not less than 500 feet apart, so as not to cause hazardous situations to loading and discharging of students.
School buses are not allowed to back up except under extreme emergency situations or upon school board approval.
All busing rules, regulations and procedures apply to kindergarten students except they are provided with one way transportation. Kindergarten students must be accompanied at the bus stop by a parent/guardian or older sibling.
To request a child care stop change, please see child care guidelines at the top of this page.
School bus drivers do not have the authority to change or create a bus stop or change a bus route.
To request a bus stop change, please see bus stop change request at the top of this page.
TRANSPORTATION FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
Appropriate transportation services will be provided to all physically and mentally handicapped students in accordance with applicable local, state and Federal laws and regulations and in accordance with the student’s I.E.P., (Individualized Educational Program).
BUS PASSES
District policy states that a student must ride only his/her assigned bus to and from school. Bus passes are granted only in an emergency situation; for example, sudden illness in the family or an accident that would result in no one home to receive young children, etc. If a Bus Pass is needed a written request from the parent/guardian is required.
The written request must include the reason, location and duration. Written authorization from the parent/guardian must be submitted to the school office for approval upon arrival or sooner if applicable. Once approved, an official bus pass will be issued to the student. The student will present the pass to the bus driver. An official pass from the school office is the only authorized pass. Written notes from parents, guardians or students and given to the driver are not acceptable.
SPLIT CUSTODY TRANSPORTATION
In instances of court ordered split custody the parents or guardian will supply a copy of the court ordered custody papers to the transportation department. Once received, transportation will be provided for each parent who resides within the district boundary or elementary attendance area.
In instances of a non court ordered custody arrangements, one permanent bus stop shall be designated and agreed upon by both parents. However, a parent may request that their child ride a different bus and/or disembark at a different bus stop for non court ordered custody by providing written permission to the School Principal for approval. The Principal may grant these requests only after first checking with both parents and the office of transportation, to ensure the bus route is not altered and the stop already exists.
If, as a result of a child custody agreement, a student is residing in the School District on a “split schedule” the resident parent(s) must supply the Office of Transportation with a calendar of custody days.
TRANSPORTATION TO NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The District will comply with the provisions of Act 372 of 1972 that established the requirements for the public school systems to transport non-public school students.
Non-public school transportation will be provided only to state certified, non-profit, private schools that provide evidence of such certification to the District.
Non-public students residing outside the District are not permitted to ride District operated buses.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES
The decisions not to open the schools or to delay their opening will be announced over AM radio stations KYW, WPAZ, WCOJ, WEEU, and WCHE. District Code number is 857.
Non Public students will be transported under the same guidelines as public children. When the District is closed due to inclement weather, the District will not transport students to any school. Also, when the District goes on a two- (2) hour delayed schedule, transportation to all schools will be delayed two- (2) hours.
In the event that a non-public school is on a 2 hour delay and the Owen J. Roberts School District is on a regular schedule, all non-public schools will be bused in accordance with the Owen J. Roberts schedule. The non-public schools must have someone at their facility to receive their students.
A decision not to open District Schools constitutes a decision that all transportation of District public and non-public students has been suspended. Any non-public students whose schools are in session must provide their own transportation to and from their appropriate school. A telephone chain will be set in motion in the event schools are unexpectedly dismissed early.
VIDEO CAMERAS
The purpose for digital video recorders to be used on school buses is to aid in the safe transportation of student passengers.
A digital video recorder device with a camera and microphone is installed on all District contracted school buses. The digital recorder will be mounted in the vehicle to ensure it’s accessibility to authorized district personnel only. Only authorized district personnel are permitted access to any of the surveillance equipment. A warning notice will be posted in each bus notifying passengers that they are not to expect privacy and that their actions on the bus are monitored by a Video and audio surveillance system.
RADIO COMMUNICATION
The purpose of the Two-way Radio Communication system is to improve the efficiency of the District’s transportation system and to ensure the safety of passengers. Radio communications are installed on all District contracted school buses. The radios are mounted in the vehicles to ensure their accessibility to the driver.
ACCIDENTS
Despite the District’s strong concern about safety, its continuing emphasis on driver safety training and instruction, and the commitment to stringent vehicle safety specification and standards, accidents do happen. In fact, given that our buses travel nearly one million miles per year, it is our bus driver’s commitment to safety that minimizes both the number and severity of accidents that do occur.
Whenever an accident, medical situation, and/or any other form of emergency exist, the bus driver will immediately radio the Dispatcher and/or Contract Supervisor to report the incident. Upon notification, the Transportation Department will immediately notify the proper authorities (Superintendent’s Office, state and local police, ambulance service, and appropriate school(s)).
The Contractor and the District’s Transportation Department will investigate all vehicle accidents involving the transportation of students. If the resulting investigation produces any suggested improvements or changes, appropriate action will be taken to implement the recommendations to help prevent future occurrences.
