Bus Rules and Behavior Expectations
My child is being bullied on the bus. What should I do?
- All concerns should be immediately reported to the administration of your child’s school.
Who is responsible for resolving discipline problems that occur on the bus?
- Bus drivers attempt to correct inappropriate behavior, but often it requires the intervention of a school administrator. The principal of each school is responsible for the administration of school bus discipline.
I would like to talk to my child’s bus operator about a problem on the bus. How do I go about this? Couldn’t I just meet the bus driver at the bus stop location?
- Parents are not allowed on a school bus unless specifically authorized. Parents who decide to board a bus, ignoring the warning of the bus operator, are subject to arrest and prosecution under the law. To talk with an operator, please contact the school your child attends and request a conference with the operator. Please provide the bus number and/or operator name, if possible. The school will coordinate with the Transportation Department and set up a conference.
Where can I get a copy of the bus rules?
- Our Bus Rules are available on our website. They are also available in the elementary and secondary Student Codes of Conduct, and they are posted on each school bus.
Can the school bus operator suspend my child from riding the bus?
- No. A school bus operator does not have disciplinary authority or choice of disciplinary action. An operator can only refer student actions (via a bus referral) to the school for due process. The Duval County School Board has an approved Code of Student Conduct which outlines and guides school-based administrators as to the disciplinary action that is appropriate for each situation and grade level.
Can a bus operator or transportation official change a bus disciplinary ruling?
- No. Discipline rulings are exclusively conducted and decided at the school level.
If my child goes on a field trip do the same rules of bus discipline apply?
- Yes. The school bus is considered an extension of the classroom. Therefore, all of the rules apply all of the time.
If my child is suspended from either their morning or afternoon bus, are they suspended from riding all buses both morning and afternoon?
- Yes. Suspension or revocation of school bus privileges applies to all vehicles in the Duval County Public School Transportation System for all home to-and-from school trips. A student who boards or attempts to board a school bus other than the one to which the student is assigned or who or departs a school bus at a location other than assigned pick-up or drop-off stop without prior school administration permission is considered to be trespassing.
If my child is suspended from their home to-and-from school bus, are they suspended from riding a field trip bus?
- No. Suspension or revocation of school bus privileges applies to all vehicles in the Duval County Public School Transportation System for home to-and-from school trips. However, this does not apply to transportation authorized by school administration for field trips.
Can my child bring their skateboard, band instrument, or sports equipment on the bus?
- Oversized objects, including, but not limited to, large band instruments or cases, school projects or athletic equipment which cannot be held in the seat, are prohibited, unless prior approval is obtained from the bus operator and the school administration.