Transportation

Non-Mandated Fee-Based Transportation

The Fee-Based Transportation System provides an option for arranging bus service for students Grades K-6 who live less than 2 miles from their school and for all students Grades 7-12. There is a provision for a fee waiver. The “Fee Waiver Application Form” must be completed and submitted by July 1 to the Superintendent’s Office. This form is available in both the Principal’s Office and the Superintendent’s Office. Eligibility is subject to the income guidelines and verification. Ridership is not guaranteed, as it is dependent on sufficient funding, routing and available seating.

Two Mile Limit

The two-mile measurement is the shortest vehicular route between the nearest walkway or driveway to the student’s residence to the nearest walkway or gateway leading to the front door of the school. If the mileage is in dispute, a ”Distance Appeal Form” must be completed and submitted by July 1 to the School Department. This form is available in both the Principal’s Office and Superintendent’s Office. The distance will be rechecked and a decision made. This decision shall be final. Appeals not properly submitted by July 1 will not be honored. Please note that the shortest vehicular route may change from year to year as new streets open to traffic; therefore, the shortest vehicular route will be based on streets existing as of July 1 of each year. Mileage will NOT be calculated to or from a daycare provider.

During the month of April students will receive a Transportation Packet containing rules and regulations, frequently asked questions, and all pertinent forms.

The fee is $255 per student with a $510 family cap. The fee is refundable only if the School Department cannot provide the service. Aside from this exception, and because buses must be contracted in advance, the fee is nonrefundable and will be not be prorated in any manner or for any reason. The seat purchased is not transferable to another route.

The application and payment in full must be submitted by July 1. This payment insures that your child is included on the bus list as routes are developed during the summer. Applications and payments received after July 1 will be considered late and will be honored only if space is available and if there is an existing stop on the route.

Subject to the availability of seats and an existing bus stop, applications for children whose parents/guardians are experiencing an emergency situation will be accepted and processed during the school year. Applications submitted under this provision must be accompanied by a written explanation of the nature of the emergency and any supportive documentation requested by the School Department. A committee comprised of the Chairman of the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools and a Principal will review, act on such emergency requests and, if approved, set a prorated fee.

Bus Stops and Routing

Students K-12 are not entitled to street-by-street or door-to-door pick-up and/or delivery. The School Department will establish common neighborhood bus stops. Timing and routing do not allow for additional bus stops even if the bus passes your residence. As it is unknown how many buses will be funded, the length of bus routes may be adversely affected. All efforts will be made to schedule bus routes so that no child is riding for more than one hour per trip.

Street List

A list of eligible and ineligible streets will be posted at each elementary school.

Click here to View list of eligible and ineligible streets

Identification

In mid-August bus passes will be mailed directly to the households of all mandated and enrolled riders. The bus pass will indicate the student’s name, grade, and the assigned school, bus route and bus stop. Beginning the first day of school, each bus student is required to carry the bus pass. Not doing so could result in exclusion from the bus. We suggest attaching the pass to the backpack. This will keep the pass handy and allow the student to display it without delay. Lost passes will be replaced for a $5.00 fee.

Safety

Safety is a responsibility that is shared between the home and the school district. While the law requires the School Department to furnish a defined level of transportation, it does not relieve parents/guardians of students from the responsibility of supervision until such time as the child boards the bus in the morning. Once the child boards the bus – and only at that time – does he or she become the responsibility of the school district. Such responsibility shall end when the child is delivered to the regular bus stop at the close of the school day. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to escort the child to and from the bus stop where there are no sidewalks, where sidewalks are only on one side, where the bus stop is on the opposite side of the street, and where there are either traffic or commuter rail concerns.

School Bus Rules and Regulations

Please refer to the student handbook. It should be noted here that the courts have held that the right of a student to transportation is a qualified right, one that is dependent upon good behavior. In a case where a student seriously or continuously breaks the rules, the parents/guardians will be notified of the misbehavior. Depending on the seriousness of the infraction(s), the student’s right to school bus transportation may be suspended or terminated at any time. Any infraction of the School Bus Rules and Regulations that is reported to the school authorities will be investigated before any disciplinary action is taken, and if there is a basis for the report, the student will be given notice of the charges against him/her. If the student denies the charges, an explanation of the evidence the School Department has and an opportunity to present his/her side of the story will be afforded the student in accordance with the due process procedures stated in the student handbook.

Bus Conduct

Bus Waivers

A parent or guardian may request a stop other than the assigned home bus stop by completing a “Bus Waiver Form.” Approval of the request is subject to the following criteria:

• The alternate stop must be on a route scheduled for the child's assigned school.
• Seating is available.
• The requested stop is to be the permanent daily pick-up and drop-off point.
• For ECC students, the request must conform to K-3 Transportation Guidelines.

Other Requests, Inquiries, or Concerns

All other requests, inquiries, or concerns must be made in writing and submitted to either the Principal’s Office or to the Superintendent’s Office for processing. Note: Submit all discipline issues to the Principal.