School bus drivers are concerned about the safety and well-being of the students they transport.  Most decisions are made based on the safety of the students.  If a parent has a concern or complaint about a driver, he or she should contact the Office of Transportation.  The matter will be addressed at the earliest possible time.

Bus routes are monitored closely, and stop times are generally very regular; however, buses can break down, resulting in irregular bus arrivals.  This cannot be controlled by school district staff.  Riders are instructed to be at their stop 10 to 15 minutes before the regular arrival time of their school bus.

Buses need wide areas for maneuvering, clear of all hazards (Limbs, Posts, Cars, etc.) with sufficient surfaces to support the heavy bus and a 60- ft radius for turn-about.  The district must have a notarized release to operate on private roads.  If you are the owner of a private road or long driveway and would like the Transportation Office to inspect your property for possible turn around, please contact the Office of Transportation (843-673-1118)

If a bus breaks down or additional students have caused a bus to be overcrowded, second trips may be necessary on a temporary basis. In this event, some students may arrive at school or at home later than usual.

Drivers are instructed to assign seats to students at the beginning of each year.  In general, the younger students are asked to sit toward the front of the bus and the older students in the back. This allows the driver to better monitor the students as he or she drives.  Assigned seats may also be based on behavior and special needs accommodations.  Please be aware that we receive many requests from parents for children to ride in the front seat. However, there is a limited number of front seats, which means that only a few students will be assigned to them.  Seating arrangements are made on the best available information about all the students on the bus.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Transportation (843-673-1118)

According to the South Carolina State Department's Regulation F, a regular route pattern is usually established by traveling along main roadways and centralized streets within a community or area.  School buses are not permitted to leave the designated bus route to travel along roadways unless the student's legal residence is greater than three-tenths (3/10) of a mile from the regular route pattern (SC-59-67-420)

Based on state regulations (SC-43-80-F), School bus stops cannot be closer than two tenths (2/10) of a mile.  Additionally, the stops must be designated as safe points for drop off.  If there are multiple stops closer than 2/10 of a mile together, the stops must be combined to make one stop, unless a safety hazard is present.  Additionally, students may not be dropped off close to an intersection, which would constitute a safety hazard.

According to state regulation, buses are not permitted to leave the regular route during inclement weather; however, students who live along the route may qualify for additional stops.  In freezing weather or after heavy rain, some roads in the county are impassable due to ice, snow, or water covering the road.  The District will attempt to contact parents in affected areas.  If you are aware that weather conditions have made your child's bus stop inaccessible, please contact the Office of Transportation immediately. (843-673-1118)

Riding the bus is a privilege and not a right.  Correct behavior is the responsibility of the student, not the driver.  Students will be held responsible for obeying all student transportation regulations and school district conduct code.  Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about the problems that might stem from getting in trouble on the bus.

Parents will be charged should their child damage any bus equipment. Seat covers can cost as much as $75.00.The loss of riding privilege may remain until payment for damages is received.

All students are assigned to specific buses and load and unload at assigned bus stops.  This is primarily to protect the safety of the student.  This helps to prevent a student from going to a location that their parents are not aware of, or do not approve of.  This also prevents students from becoming lost, and prevents us from having overcrowding.  Students are not permitted to change buses without prior approval.  All notes sent from home must be given to an Administrator early in the day so that they have adequate time to notify transportation for approval.  If a request for change comes into the transportation office late, it may not be approved.

Students are not allowed to cross any four-lane road or highway at any time when engaged in school bus transportation services.

To protect the safety of our students, we do not allow any adult to board the bus or to carry on conversations with the driver or students during the bus route.  Parents and other citizens must never interfere with the operation of or board a school bus or threaten the driver or students.The use of threatening, obscene, or profane language addressed to the driver or any passengers entering, leaving, or waiting for a school bus is disorderly conduct.

According to state law, parents and guardians are responsible for the safety and conduct of their children going to and from, and while at the bus stop.  Parents are encouraged to remind their children not to cross the street until the bus arrives, the lights are flashing red, and the driver signals students to cross.

The bus driver has limited opportunities to monitor students while driving the bus.  The driver will record any discipline infractions of which he or she is aware and turn these into the appropriate principal's office.  Students should report any problems of which they are aware to the school bus driver and administrator as well.  Since the driver cannot observe all student interaction that happens while the bus is in motion.

While the district strives to accommodate parent requests as much as possible, parents should be aware there are some hazards and dangers that cannot be controlled by the district.  The initial responsibility for community hazards, including concerns about pets and wildlife, lies with city and county governments, law enforcement and parents.  Please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency to control the problem if the bus stop cannot be changed to meet your request.