Student School Bus Rules of Conduct

1.   All bus drivers are expected to arrive at each designated stop within the same ten minutes of the set hour each day, unless there are uncontrollable factors (mechanical problems, inclement weather, or student misbehavior).

2.   Because school buses operate on a very tight schedule, students should arrive at the bus stop fifteen minutes ahead of the bus. Each student should be on time—bus drivers will not wait for those who are late unless it's during inclement weather.

3.   While waiting for the bus, students, books,  or other objects should remain out of the roadway.

4.   Students should wait in an orderly manner, remain in a line at least twelve feet from the bus when it stops to pick up passengers, and should move toward the bus only after the driver signals them to do so.

5.   Students are asked not to damage property such as flowers, shrubbery, fences, or other items while waiting for the bus.

6.   Students may ride only the bus they are regularly assigned.

7.   Students are prohibited from bringing the following items on the bus: animals; drinks/food not approved by the district or driver; glass containers; weapons; balloons; oversize items—including band instruments—which obstruct the driver’s view, block the aisle or exits, or displace a student from a seat; and any other item or object which will interfere with the safe operation of a school bus. Radios/tape players/compact disc players/MP-3/Ipod’s players, cell phones, or similar devices and handheld electronic games are not permitted. If a bus driver should discover a student using one of these devices, they are required to submit a disciplinary notice to the appropriate school official.

8.   Passengers are to be seated immediately and remain seated while the bus is in motion.

1.   The driver of a school bus is in complete charge of the passengers while they are aboard the bus and should be given the same respect as a classroom teacher. Complaints against a driver should be directed to the transportation office.

2.  Students should conduct themselves in an acceptable manner at all times. Profanity, obscene gestures, horseplay, throwing objects, fighting, and boisterous or other improper conduct will not be tolerated. Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom behavior will be observed.

3.   Students will occupy the seat assigned to them by the driver. All students will have assigned seats and will be required to furnish information for a bus roster. Once seats are assigned, students may be held accountable for damage.

4.   The aisle of the bus must remain free of books and other objects.

5.   Passengers should keep their arms, head, or other parts of the body inside the bus at all times.

6.   The driver's view‑‑of the passengers and to the outside of the bus‑‑must remain unobstructed.

7.   Students should refrain from talking to a driver except in an emergency.

8.   Passengers should not tamper with the emergency door, fire extinguisher, or other safety equipment on the bus.

9.   Students should assist the driver in keeping the bus clean by discarding trash in an appropriate trash receptacle.

10. Students found responsible for damage, defacement, or vandalism will be charged for the damages in conjunction with other disciplinary action.

11. Passengers should show respect for motorists or pedestrians on the route.

12. Eating, drinking, chewing gum and using tobacco products are prohibited on school buses.

13. All students should have a completed School Bus Rider Data Card.

1.   Students should remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop. Upon arrival at school, students in the front seats will leave the bus first and all will exit in an orderly fashion.

2.   Passengers are allowed to leave the bus only at regular designated stops.

3.   After exiting the bus, students who must cross the highway should go about twelve feet to the front of the bus and wait until the driver signals them to cross. All students should promptly move away from the bus after exiting and should never go back toward the bus once the driver has broken visual contact with them. Following these instructions saves lives.

Parents or guardians are responsible for the safety, conduct, and timely arrival of their children to, from, and at the designated school bus stop before the arrival of the school bus for pick up and transport to school and the timely departure of the child after the school bus leaves the designated school bus stop after transporting the children from school. (SC-59-67-415)

Supervision of students at bus stops

In recent years, there has been some confusion regarding who is responsible for the supervision of students at a bus stop before the arrival of the bus in the morning and after the bus departs from the stop in the afternoon. In an effort to clarify this matter, the South Carolina Legislature enacted the following in July 2007:       

SECTION 59-67-415. Parental responsibility for safe and timely arrival of children to and from bus stop.

Parents or guardians are responsible for the safety, conduct, and the timely arrival of their children to, from, and at the designated school bus stop before the arrival of the school bus for pick up and transport to school and the timely departure of the children after the school bus leaves the designated school bus stop after transporting the children from school. For purposes of this section, the phrase "arrival of the school bus" includes the time that the school bus assigned to the school bus stop activates the required pedestrian safety devices, stops, and loads or unloads students until the school bus deactivates all pedestrian safety devices.

Parents should report all misconduct on school buses to the principal of their children's school.
Parents should report all traffic hazards, unsafe driving practices on the part of the driver, etc., to the Transportation Office.
Parents should encourage students to observe all safety and conduct regulations established for the safe and efficient operation of the school bus and stress the importance of good behavior on the buses.
Parents are not allowed to board a school bus for any reason. Should a parent need to have a conversation with a driver, you are encouraged to make an appointment with the driver and the driver’s supervisor.
Transporting band instruments and other large items on school buses

Each year, there are many questions asked regarding transporting band instruments—and other large objects—on school buses. Florence School District One is bound by federal and state statutes and regulations in all aspects of transportation. The following outlines the positions of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the South Carolina Department of Education regarding what can and cannot be brought onto a school bus:

The US Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Standard 17, Pupil Transportation Safety:

……baggage and other items transported in the passenger compartment should be stored so that the aisles are kept clear and the doors and emergency exits of school vehicles remain unobstructed at all times.
South Carolina Department of Education:

Band instruments, or other items, carried on a school bus must be of such size that they can be transported in the student’s lap. This is necessary to insure that all items are kept under the control of the student at all times in case of an accident or an emergency.

School district compliance with this standard is mandatory. No student carry-on items can obstruct the orderly emergency or non-emergency exiting of the school bus.  Securement of carry-on items prohibits them from becoming flying objects in the event of an accident.  Items on the seats, floor, or obstructing the aisles endanger all students on the bus.

School district transportation personnel are requested to use prudent judgment in determining the instruments that will be allowed on buses under these conditions. Consideration should been given to the size of the instrument as well as the size and physical characteristics of the student in determining each instrument that is acceptable on a school bus.
We will appreciate your cooperation and assistance in complying with these statutes and regulations. 

1.   Students can only switch from their assigned bus with a written request from a parent/guardian. The school principal and the transportation director will evaluate each request. If parents request a drop off other than the normal stop, they must make this request in writing and have it notarized, there is a form attached to this website. The new stop location must be within the child’s assigned school zone and be on a space available basis.

2.   Complaints or safety concerns regarding a bus or bus driver should be made to the Transportation Office.

3.   All bus students are expected to obey the principals and teachers at each school their bus serves. The student's school principal will discipline students who disobey any school official on school grounds (which include school buses).

4.   Most school buses in Florence School District One are equipped with a video and audio recording device which can be used to monitor passenger and bus activity. Student behavior on the bus and the driver's management of the behavior are key elements for a safe bus ride. The video/audio recorder on a school bus is an aid to monitor discipline. It does not replace the discipline policy, the authority of the driver, or the responsibility of school officials.  Requests to view a video or audio recording can only be made by drivers, school administrators, or parents/guardians and must be made through the administrator at the child’s school. Requests to review recordings will be granted when there is "just cause" and with the intent of observing and resolving a particular problem or situation. Viewings will be conducted only within the presence of a school administrator.

5.   These regulations were established for the protection of students, school officials, school property and the motoring public. Students who fail to follow these rules could lose the privilege to ride any Florence School District One bus. When, in the judgment of school district officials, any bus student's behavior endangers the lives of other bus students and the motoring public, then that student can be immediately removed from the bus. Bus privileges will remain suspended until the student has had a conference with the school principal.

6.   Bus drivers cannot suspend a student from riding the bus. Only the principal of the school the student attends or the transportation director can make this decision.

7.    All students are subject to transportation laws, rules, and regulations from the time they board a school bus until the bus route is completed or until the students arrive at their normal destinations, either home or school

8.    Should a bus arrive at an assigned bus stop for a two week period, and no students board the bus, the bus stop will be deactivated. Should the parents wish to reactivate the bus stop, they will need to contact the Transportation Office and it may take up to four business days to complete the process.