While the law requires the Ocean Springs School District to furnish transportation, it does not relieve parents/guardians from the responsibility for the conduct of their child.

In view of the fact that a bus is an extension of the classroom, the School Board shall require students to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior.  In cases when a child does not conduct himself/herself properly according to the Bus Discipline Plan, such behavior/conduct will be brought to the attention of the building principal by the bus driver through the issuance of a Bus Conduct Report.

At this point, the student may be placed on the discipline ladder for his/her school as misconduct will be handled in the same fashion as any misconduct on any school property.  If the student is a serious discipline problem, or a danger to himself/herself or the safety of the other students, he/she may have their riding privileges suspended immediately with consideration being given to circumstances surrounding each case.  If a student exceeds three (3) bus suspensions, he/she may be required to appear before the School Board for possible expulsion of bus privileges.  In such cases, the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child involved will be responsible for seeing that their child is provided transportation to and from school.

The building principal will inform the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the misconduct and request their cooperation in the control of their child’s behavior.  All other policies concerning the discipline of students shall apply to bus conduct, including the appeal of an adverse recommendation of the principal.

Any disciplinary action administered in accordance here within shall be subject to the requirements of Part B of the IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

REFERENCE: Pupil Transportation Guide

ADOPTED:    08/08/2006