1-14-2025 Board of Education Work Session Minutes
January 17, 2025
BCS Transportation Department
Students must be at their designated stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time and visable to the driver. Be sure to allow enough time BEFORE AND AFTER the scheduled stop time until a routine is established. Buses cannot wait for late students. Stop times are approximate and may change without notice due to variables beyond our control.
If your student needs to ride to another location other then their assigned stop, you must call or send a note in with your student to their office to be issued a bus pass. The drivers will not accept notes, text messages or verbal requests from parents. BUS PASS must be issued from the attending school office.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are bus stops the same every year?
No. While stops are fairly consistent from year to year, changes may be made based on student enrollment.
We live Out-of-District; will my student be transported to school?
Yes, the district will transport your student. However, the location of the stop is based on the amount of space available on the bus. If the Transportation Department verifies there is room on a bus, then it is the parent’s responsibility for transporting the child to/from an existing bus stop every day. No new stops or special arrangements will be made for out-of-district students. If the bus becomes over crowded the out-of- district students will be assigned to an alternative bus stop and or services may be suspended till space allows.
My student’s bus is crowded and overloaded. How will this be corrected?
It is our goal to fully utilize all the space on all the buses in our fleet. The term “overloaded” indicates a bus is filled beyond its rated capacity. An overloaded bus will be corrected by the fourth Wednesday after Labor Day. Students are assigned three (3) to a seat. We appreciate that this may feel crowded to your student; however, it is not a situation which would necessitate correction.
Isn’t the school district required to transport my child?
School districts are NOT required by law to transport regular education children. Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 380.1321 outlines the obligations of the school district IF its board of education elects to provide transportation. Under Article 3 of the Revised School Code, the school district is obligated to provide for the transportation of a special education student if the Individualized Educational Planning Committee (IEPC) has determined that the transportation is a specialized service which is included within and necessary to carry out the student’s IEP.
My child is starting kindergarten. Will the bus pick my child up in front of my house?
There are no special laws or regulations for transporting regular education students enrolled in kindergarten. If your district provides transportation, it will be provided in accordance with the requirement of MCL 380.1321, Section 55 of the Pupil Transportation Act, and local district policy with regard to the placement of the bus stop.
Is there a law about how far my child has to walk to the bus stop?
No law specifies the maximum distance a student may walk to the bus stop. Buchanan Community Schools board policy establishes walking boundaries. Students living outside those boundaries are offered transportation. A student may have to walk up to one (1) mile to their designated bus stop. Distances may be further for cul-de-sacs, subdivisions, dead-end and one-way roads.
What other factors are involved in establishing where the school bus stops?
There are many factors which should be taken into consideration when school administrators establish the placement of school bus stops. The basic legal factors are spelled out in MCL 257.1855, but the primary concern is visibility of the bus to other traffic and the consideration of stopping distances necessary for other motor vehicles in order to accomplish safe loading and unloading of the children. In general, state law requires 400 feet of clear and continuous visibility on a highway or roadway where the speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour, and 200 feet where the speed limit is less than 35 miles per hour. There is no state law which specifies a maximum distance between stops.
What about the safety of my child getting to and from the bus stop? There are no sidewalks where we live and it’s not very safe walking on the busy road we live on.
It is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to see that a child gets safely to and from the bus stop. The school district provides transportation as a non-mandated service and establishes placement of the bus stops in accordance with the requirements of the law.
Contact Information
Transportation Supervisor
Administrative Assistant
Please email any transportation changes or issues here.
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What to do when approaching a school bus with lights activated
- Prepare to stop when a slowing bus has its overhead yellow lights flashing
- Stop at least 20 feet away for buses when red lights are flashing, unless driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway
MCL 257.682 MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT) Act 300 of 1949
- The school bus drivers use of yellow overhead flashing lights is indicating caution to drivers approaching the school bus, that the school bus is about to turn on the red flashing lights and come to a stop. When drivers see a school bus with the yellow overhead flashing lights activated they should begin slowing, look for children and be prepared to stop when the red flashing lights are activated. The operator of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus that has stopped and is displaying 2 alternately flashing red lights located at the same level shall bring the vehicle to a full stop not less than 20 feet from the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer actuated. The operator of a vehicle who fails to stop for a school bus as required by this subsection, who passes a school bus in violation of this subsection, or who fails to stop for a school bus in violation of an ordinance that is substantially similar to this subsection, is responsible for a civil infraction.
- The operator of a vehicle on a highway that has been divided into 2 roadways by leaving an intervening space, or by a physical barrier, or clearly indicated dividing sections so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, is not required to stop upon meeting a school bus that has stopped across the dividing space, barrier, or section.
- Public Act 187 of 1990 allows what is called a “hazard light stop” under limited circumstances. Motorists approaching a school bus that is utilizing this type of stop may pass the bus while it is picking up or discharging students. Motorists should always use care when doing so. In this type of stop, children are not allowed to cross the roadway but motorists should always be prepared for the unexpected and drive accordingly.
General School Bus Safety
School Bus Danger Zones
There are blind spots where a bus driver can lose sight of a child:
- Front Danger Zone: It is never safe to walk close to the front of the bus. Children should walk ten giant steps ahead of the bus before crossing in front of it.
- Side Danger Zone: Children should always stay three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
- Rear Danger Zone: Never walk behind the school bus.
- Rear Danger Zone: Walk (don’t run) three giant steps away from the bus when exiting the bus. When the bus approaches, step back from the curb at least three giant steps.
Rules for Transportation
- Be on time at your designated bus stop. Drivers have a schedule to meet and cannot wait for tardy pupils. If the bus cancels its lights or pulls away, DO NOT CHASE THE BUS. This is how accidents happen.
- Cheerfully obey the bus driver’s instructions. Friendly, respectful people get along better.
- Students are expected to display good behavior while on the bus. Quiet conversation is fine. When approaching a railroad crossing, students are to be silent until the bus is safe across the tracks.
- Always remain seated while a bus is moving. It may be necessary to sit three to a seat. The driver may also
assign seats. - Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before attempting to enter or leave the bus.
- Eating or drinking is not permitted on the buses except for special occasions approved by the driver.
- Students are expected to help keep the buses clean. Dispose of paper and other unwanted items properly.
- Musical instruments, books, projects, or other personal items must be held by the owner or placed in a special seat designated by the driver if the room is available. We encourage parents to transport on days large items must be taken to school.
- Stay off the roadways at all times while waiting for a bus. Form a single line and board the bus one at a time.
- Remember to respect the property of others while waiting for the bus.
- Hands and heads are to be kept inside the bus at all times. There will be no unnecessary disturbing noises or vulgar/profane language.
- Students are expected to get on and off the bus at their designated stops ONLY. A parent/guardian must contact the school office directly, either by phone or by sending a note with their student. Please include the date, name and address of where your child needs to be dropped off. The drivers will NOT ACCEPT notes, text messages or phone calls from a parent on the student’s cell phone while loading at the school. A bus pass must be issued through the office. NO EXCEPTIONS!
- When crossing, students must be 10 ft. in front of the bus, stop and look at the driver. When the driver gives the sweeping motion of their hand, students may then cross only in front of the bus. NEVER should a student cross the road behind the bus.
- Animals, glass containers, and helium balloons are not allowed on the buses.
- Students are asked to report any damage they see to the driver. Vandalism is a serious issue and will be addressed as soon as possible. Cover replacement – $50/$75 Cover and foam replacement – $110/$135
- Riders are expected to be considerate to all other passengers and to the driver at all times.
- Misconduct on the bus will not be tolerated. Drivers are in charge at all times and are required to report this behavior to the building principals. Riding privileges may be suspended.
- Remember…school bus transportation is a privilege, not a right. Misconduct may result in the loss of this privilege.
Responsibilities of Parents
- Review bus riding rules with your child.
- Be sure your child arrives at his/her stop 5-10 minutes prior to bus arrival.
- Provide necessary protection for your child at the stop.
- Accept the responsibility for your child’s conduct at the bus stop and on the school bus. Remember: “Adults set the example and mood for their children.”
Transportation Closure and Delay Flow Chart
The PDF below is a graphical representation of the process followed by the District in the event of a closure or delay related to school transportation. If you are unable to view this PDF, you may contact the Transportation Office for more information.
