Minor Safety or Conduct Violations

1. Refusing to sit properly or safely in assigned seat.
2. Moving from seat while bus is in motion.
3. Blocking the aisle in any manner.
4. Eating or drinking on the bus.
5. Deliberately littering the bus.
6. Acting in a manner that distracts the driver while the bus is in motion.
7. Writing on any part of the school bus.
8. Entering or exiting the bus in an unsafe manner.
9. Throwing, pitching, or shooting articles within the bus (without any injury).
10. Extending any part of the body, clothing, or other articles out of the window.
11. Using profanity, vulgar language, or obscene gestures toward other students.
12. Harassing, threatening or physically scuffling with another student (with no injury).
13. Infractions as determined by campus administrators.
14. Cell phones visible or in use.

Consequences for Minor Violations

1st Offense

Parental Notification by driver

2nd Offense

Conference with school official and copy of report mailed to parent/guardian*

3rd Offense

Suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school for 1 to 2 days and copy of report mailed to parent/guardian*

4th Offense

Suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school for 3 to 4 days and a copy of report mailed to parent/guardian*

5th Offense

Suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school for 5 to 10 days and a copy of report mailed to parent/guardian*

Additional Offenses

    * Provided that no other major violation has been reported.

Seating Assignments

Students cannot stand in the aisle while the bus is in motion. For certain situations, seating may be assigned to accommodate not more than 4 students per seat.

Major Safety Violations and Misconduct

• Possession of tobacco in any form.
• Acting or speaking disrespectfully toward the driver or profanity directed at any employee.
• Insubordination.
• Throwing, pitching, or shooting articles, which either remain within the bus but causes, an injury or which goes out any window.
• Damaging any part of the school bus (Student will be suspended until damages have been paid).
• Infractions as determined by campus administrators.

Consequences for Major Violations or Misconduct

1st Offense

Suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school for 3 days and copy of report mailed to parent and/or guardian.

2nd Offense

Suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school for 5 to 10 days and copy of report mailed to parent/ and or guardian.

3rd Offense

Suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school for at least 10 days and possibly through the remainder of the semester

4th Offense

Suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school for the remainder of the semester or through the remainder of the school year.

Severe Conduct Violations

• Fighting with another student (or scuffling which results in any type of injury).
• Pointed objects used in a harmful or damaging manner
• Striking matches, or producing fire in any form.
• Sexual misconduct
• Tampering with an emergency exit.
• Infractions as determined by campus administrators.

Severe Conduct Clause

Any infraction (even on the 1st occurrence) that is deemed to be severe by the school.

Consequences for Severe Misconduct

1st Offense

Minimum 10 days suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school.

2nd Offense

Suspension of bus riding privileges to and from school for the remainder of the school year. Minimum of 90-day suspension, which could carry over into the next school year.

NOTE:

Misconduct of severe nature may also result in suspension or expulsion from school. The Director of Support Services or school administrator may invoke an immediate suspension of HISD bus riding privileges at any time due to a severe situation. A reasonable effort will be made to notify parent and/or guardian prior to any temporary suspension of riding privileges.

SCHOOL BUSES

Riding on the bus is a student privilege provided by the District. Students riding District-operated business are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the safety rules and regulations of the Hallsville Independent School District Student Code of Conduct and those posted in the bus. Student safety violations or misconduct on the bus may result in suspension from riding the bus in addition to any other appropriate discipline.