Student Conduct on Buses
Appropriate student behavior is essential to maintaining the safety and efficiency of the district’s transportation services. RISE Charter School contracts with the Kimberly School District (KSD) for student transportation; therefore, all RISE students are required to comply with the transportation rules, regulations, and disciplinary procedures established by KSD and outlined below.
Students are expected to adhere to the same standards of conduct while riding on district school buses or other district-owned or operated vehicles as they are on school property, at school activities, and during school-sponsored events.
In addition, the following rules applies to all passengers on Kimberly School District buses for all RISE students:
All passengers are subject to audio and visual recording while on board.
The bus driver is in full charge of all persons riding on the bus and has the same status and authority as a teacher insofar as discipline is concerned and is authorized to assign seats. Students shall obey the bus driver’s directions promptly and courteously.
Students shall talk quietly and avoid loud or distracting noises on the bus. Students shall avoid unnecessary conversations with the driver while the bus is moving. Absolute silence is required when the driver stops the bus at a railroad crossing.
Students must keep body parts inside the bus at all times. No materials are to be thrown inside the bus, from the bus, or into the bus. Eating or drinking is not allowed on the bus except when unusual circumstances exist and prior approval is given by school transportation personnel.
Students shall observe safe pedestrian practices while walking to and from the bus. Students must be on time to board the bus. It is recommended students arrive at the bus stop not less than five (5) minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus. Students shall respect private and public property while waiting at the bus stop.
After the bus has come to a complete stop, students shall enter the bus, go directly to an available or assigned seat, and remain seated while on board.
If it is necessary for students to cross the road after leaving the bus, the student(s) must wait twelve (12) feet in front of the bus until the “all clear” signal is given by the driver, then cross carefully.
Students shall board and leave the bus at their established stop, except when they have a request signed by their parent or guardian made arrangements with the transportation office prior to the day of. Students shall ride their assigned bus unless reassigned by the respective school principal/designee.
Students shall not tamper with emergency doors or equipment.
No smoking, vaping or tobacco products will be permitted on any bus transporting students to sponsoring functions. School district policies pertaining to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, controlled substances, weapons, harassment, bullying, hazing and sexual harassment are in effect at the bus stop and on the bus.
Breakable containers, skateboards, hazardous materials, cigarette lighters, matches, shop projects, or animals other than service animals, are not permitted on any school bus. No items are to be stored in the aisle. Any large items carried on the bus must be held on the students’ laps. Items such as large musical instruments, shop projects, pets, etc., will not be transported with students on the bus.
Students are to refrain from using flashlights of any kind, flash photography, and videoing others. Students will also be required to utilize headphones when listening to audio from a personal device and will be allowed to use only one ear bud.
A copy of the rules will be available on the district’s website and upon request at the RISE Charter School office.
Citations issued to students will be carried over to all routes and activity buses. They can also be carried over to the following year at the Transportation Supervisors' recommendation.
The bus driver will first endeavor to convey to the student the seriousness of the violation of any of the rules of student conduct. Upon continued violation, the driver will refer the student to the principal or designee. The principal or designee will seek to impress upon the student the need for improvement in bus conduct and may utilize various consequences for initial misbehavior on the bus including, but not limited to, a warning, and/or a conference with the student, parent/guardian and bus driver. Persistent or serious violations of bus conduct procedures may result in the suspension of the student’s transportation privileges. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the principal or designee, or the district supervisor of transportation, will suspend the student’s bus transportation privileges as follows:
First (1st) suspension (second citation) — two (2) school days, including extracurriculars; For continued transportation services, it is imperative for the parent/guardian to contact the transportation supervisor
Second (2nd) suspension (third citation) — five (5) school days, including extracurriculars; For continued transportation services, it is required for the parent/guardian to set up a meeting with the school principal and transportation supervisor, and
Third (3rd) suspension (fourth citation) — six (6) weeks, including extracurriculars, or as determined by the superintendent or designee.
Written notice to the parent/guardian will be provided with each suspension and/or permanent revocation of transportation privileges.
Suspension of bus transportation privileges for students with disabilities as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, will follow federal guidelines and the provisions of this policy.
Students who vandalize or otherwise cause destruction to any district-owned or operated school bus or vehicle will be held financially responsible for such destruction. Any such vandalism or destruction may also result in automatic forfeiture of all school bus privileges for one (1) calendar year (365 days from date of occurrence).
Nothing will prevent the district from denying transportation to any student in any school bus or other transportation equipment operated by or under the authority of the district, upon good cause given in writing to the parent/guardian of such student.
Policy History
Anticipated First Reading: August 25, 2025
Adopted on: September 15, 2025