Transportation Handbook

Level I Bus Code Violations

A Level I violation is behavior that interferes with the safe and efficient operation of the bus. A Level I violation may become a Level II violation if the action compromises passenger or driver safety.

1. Boarding or Leaving the Bus in an Unsafe Manner – Failing to line up properly at the bus stop. Students should be off the roadway. Pushing and shoving while boarding or exiting the bus.
2. Consumption of Food or Beverages – Eating and drinking is not permitted.
3. Inappropriate Personal Property – Possessing personal property prohibited by school rules and otherwise disruptive to the safe operation of the bus, such as electronic pocket beepers, cellular phones, non district-approved electronic communication devices, animals, pets, or glass containers. The use of cell phones is not allowed without the permission of the driver.
4. Littering – Scattering, discarding or leaving refuse.
5. Sitting Improperly on the Bus – Changing assigned seat without permission of the driver. Not staying seated until arriving at final destination. Failing to sit as directed by the driver. Saving or reserving seats.
6. Tardiness – Failing to be at the bus stop, outside of vehicle/home at the appropriate time.
7. Unsafe Riding Practices – Acting in a manner detrimental to the health or safe transportation of the student, passengers or driver.
8. Using Undesignated Bus Stop – Getting on or off the bus somewhere other than the student’s designated stop without a pass from the school.
9. Excessive Horseplay – Rough or boisterous play or pranks without malicious intent.

Level I Bus Code Discipline Procedure

1. First Violation – Written Warning
   • Driver/student contact
   • Driver/parent verbal contact
   • Driver completes violation ticket
   • Driver files completed ticket with transportation supervisor
   • Transportation department forwards copy of ticket to building administrator
   • Ticket is provided to student by the bus driver and copies will be emailed to parent/guardian by transportation office staff
2. Second Violation – Repeated violations may result in a Level II Ticket being issued

Level II Bus Code Violations

A Level II violation interferes with the safe and efficient operation of the bus in a more serious manner. A Level II violation may result in a bus and/or school suspension. A Level II violation may become a Level III violation if the action compromises passenger or driver safety.

1. Disruptive Behavior – Behaving in a manner which interrupts or interferes with the safe operation of the bus, i.e., making excessive noise, roughhousing or distracting the driver.
2. Extending Anything Out of the Windows – Extending your body, books, papers, etc. out of bus windows.
3. Harassment/Verbal Abuse – Disturbing by teasing, pestering or tormenting, including any verbal, electronic or written intimidation because of a person’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or physical characteristic(s). Please see Board of Education Policy Prohibiting Bullying below.
4. Insolence – Displaying verbal or nonverbal disrespect toward transportation personnel.
5. Insubordination/Refusal to Follow Directions – Failing to comply with a reasonable direction or instruction. Refusing to identify one’s self.
6. Holding onto the Outside of the Bus in Any Manner – Touching mirrors, fenders, bumpers, doors, etc. while stopped or moving.
7. Improper Crossing – Crossing behind the bus [M.V.C. 257.1855 SEC.3]. Stopping in front or returning across the road in front of the bus. Reaching under the bus or the tires for any reason.
8. Inappropriate Use of Emergency Door – Using the emergency door in a non-emergency situation without authorization from the driver.
9. Mutilating or Defacing the Bus in Any Manner – Writing on seats, cutting seats, etc.
   • Fines ranging from $27 to $47 depending on the extent of damage.
10. Physical Aggressiveness – Engaging in aggressive physical contact such as pushing, shoving, tripping, etc.
11. Possession/Use of Tobacco Products – Possessing or smoking a cigarette or using tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco, etc.
12. Tampering With any Part on the Bus – Tampering with switches, doors, steering wheel, etc.
13. Throwing Objects – Throwing objects in the bus, out of the bus or at the bus/driver.
14. Use of Profanity – Writing, saying or gesturing in a manner which conveys an offensive, obscene or sexually suggestive message.
15. Electronic Communication Devices – Including but not limited to cellular phones, digital picture/video cameras and/or camera phones, iPods, MP3s, and other personal communication devices capable of transmitting data or images. Student may possess and bring cellular phones and other personal communication devices (PDAs) on the bus on two conditions: first, that parents and students agree to permit District personnel to search the contents of those PDAs whenever they have reasonable suspicion a student has violated the student code of conduct and the PDA contains information concerning that violation; and, second, that students use PDAs for their own use and do not interfere with other passengers or transportation staff; including but not limited to visual and audio distractions. In either case, the District may be required to temporarily confiscate the PDA (see pg. 28 of WLCSD Student Code of Conduct Handbook)
16. Recording Without Permission – A student shall not record by any means (i.e., audio, video, digital, etc) a communication or action from or with any other passenger or transportation staff.

Level II Bus Code Discipline Procedure

1. First Violation
   • Driver/student contact
   • Driver/parent contact
   • Driver completes violation ticket
   • Driver files ticket with transportation supervisor
   • Administrator contact
   • Possible administrator/parent contact
   • • Ticket is provided to student by the bus driver and copies will be emailed to parent/guardian by transportation office staff
   • Bus suspension from one (1) to three (3) school days, if applicable
2. Second Violation – Repeated offenses may result in a Level III ticket

Level III Bus Code Violations

A Level III or IV violation is behavior of an aggravated nature, generally unlawful. All Level III* and IV* violations and discipline procedures in the Student Code of Conduct apply at this level.

Level III Bus Code Discipline Procedure

1. Driver/parent contact
2. Driver completes violation ticket
3. Driver files ticket with Transportation Supervisor
4. Administrator/transportation conference
5. Ticket mailed to parent/guardian by the school bus driver
6. Possible administrator/parent contact
7. Bus suspension for five (5) school days or more up to, and including, a bus suspension for the remainder of the school year

Level IV Bus Code Disciple Procedure

1. Possible expulsion**

Because of the safety-sensitive nature of school bus transportation, the bus driver is vested with discretion in the issuance of tickets, and in determining to suspend students from the bus. There shall be no appeal to a bus suspension that does not exceed three (3) school days. In cases of suspension from the bus in excess of three (3) school days, a parent or guardian may appeal the suspension to the Bus Safety Appeal Committee. To make an appeal, the parent or guardian must contact the transportation department at (248) 956-3090 within 24 hours (with the exception of weekends) of the notice of suspension.

The Bus Safety Appeal Committee shall be convened within two (2) scheduled school days of the request for appeal. The committee membership shall include the executive supervisor of transportation, the transportation supervisor or his/her designee, a bus driver not involved with the Bus Code violation, and a school counselor, social worker, building administrator or his/her designee. All appeals will be held between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.