Transportation

Bus does not travel further than the lower corner of Dovetail Lane (Knolls Estate); bus stop is the lower corner of Dovetail Lane.
Bus does not travel further than the Fair Oaks Fire Station; bus stop is Fair Oaks Fire Station; pickup times is 7 am only on snow routes and no delay start time.
Bus does not travel Driver Valley Road; bus stop is Fair Oaks Grange.
Bus does not travel Cooper Creek Road; bus stop is the intersection of South Side Rd & Cooper Creek Rd.
Bus does not travel north of West Intermediate School, bus stop is West Intermediate School.

General Information on the District's Transportation Department

The Sutherlin School District owns and runs it own fleet of school buses and employs a staff of 9 drivers, 1 mechanic, 1 mechanic support position, ½ secretary and ½ supervisor. It is the district’s goal to provide a safe, economical pupil transportation service. Bus routes are established with this in mind. The Sutherlin School District operates transportation services as established per state statute ORS 327.043 - A school district is required to provide transportation for elementary students who reside more than one mile from school and for secondary school students who reside more than 1.5 miles from school. A district is also required to provide transportation for any student identified in a supplemental plan approved by the State Board of Education.

Students Grades 6-8 who live in these areas must provide their own transportation:

*North of Central Ave and in the area between the railroad tracks and the current East city limit;

*South of Central Ave and in the area between the railroad tracks and S. Grove (includes area from Lower Forest Heights, Waite St., City Park area, S. State St., and Valentine.)

Students Grades 9-12 who live in these area must

provide their own transportation:

*North of Central Ave and in the area between the railroad tracks and the current East city limit;

*South of Central Ave and in the area between the railroad tracks and S. Grove (includes area from Lower Forest Heights, Waite St., City Park area, S. State St., Camas Ct. and Valentine.)

Delivery from school to home door is not an option.

Parents are encouraged to educate their children in safe walking routes to/from schools and bus stops.

Students who use the district transportation service are expected to follow rules for conduct as established by Oregon law and adopted by the School Board for the safety of students.

Unique transportation needs for special education students are arranged through the Student Services Director – 459-2228.

Our drivers enjoy working with the District’s children and look forward to making their daily bus ride a safe experience.

Conduct and Discipline

To accomplish the goal of the district to provide a safe, timely and economical pupil transportation service, specific responsibilities and rules exist for each member involved in the transportation system: students, parents, and staff. To do this, drivers must be able to concentrate on operating vehicles in a variety of traffic conditions, always being alert and vigilant. Riding the school bus is a privilege. Excessive noise or misconduct by bus passengers can distract a driver and endanger all students on the bus. The support and cooperation of parents and students is needed to ensure acceptable behavior by all bus riders. Those not following the bus safety rules may receive a bus citation from the driver and lose their privilege of riding the bus.

Students are expected to cooperate with their bus driver. Each driver is given some latitude working with students to modify inappropriate behaviors. A bus citation may be written at anytime during this process. A driver may confer with a student, change bus seating, assign a specific seat, or issue a citation for inappropriate bus rider behavior. If violations of bus riding rules continue a bus suspension or expulsion may follow.

Bus misconduct may be referred to the school principal. Disciplinary actions may include suspension and/or removal or expulsion from the bus.

Video cameras are on the bus to help improve student conduct.

We request parents become familiar with the rules, procedures and expectations of conduct on the buses and discuss them with their child.

Expectations

The Parent

Parents, please take the time to go over the bus rules and make certain your child understands them. Also:

Be sure your child is at the bus 5 minutes prior to the assigned stop time. (Buses may run on multiple routes and the driver cannot wait for a child who is late).
Instruct your child in the safe manner of walking to and from the bus stop.
Instruct your child to stand to the side of the road when waiting for the bus.

The Student

Any misconduct by a student, which in the opinion of the bus driver or the transportation director is detrimental to the safe operations of the bus, shall be sufficient cause for the director of transportation/designee to suspend the transportation privileges. Students who disobey these rules may be suspended or expelled from transportation for up to one year.

While riding a school bus, students will obey and follow rules set by the driver at all times. When transporting classes or teams, the teacher, or coach shall be primarily responsible for the behavior of the students. Students shall cooperate and obey both the driver and the teacher, coach or other staff members.

Students shall go directly to their seat and sit facing forward once inside the bus and remain seated at all times unless the driver instructs otherwise.
Students shall not sit in the driver’s seat.
Students shall observe rules of classroom conduct while on buses and shall refrain from talking to the driver unless necessary.
Noise shall be kept down to avoid distracting the driver. Students shall refrain from profanity, obscene gestures, or offensive acts.
Students shall accept assigned seats.
Students shall not damage school property or the personal property of others. Parents of students identified as causing damage to buses shall be charged with the cost of the incurred damage. Students causing the damage may be suspended from transportation.
Students shall keep the bus clean by depositing all trash in the container at the front of the bus.
Throwing, tossing or shooting anything within, from, or at the bus is prohibited.
Spraying any type of aerosol (air fresheners, or other such as perfume including but not limited to any form of body spray, etc.) is prohibited on the bus.
Students shall not have laser lights on the bus.
Fighting, pushing, tripping, spitting, abusive language and violent behavior are prohibited on the bus and will not be tolerated.
Harassment of any kind is prohibited.
Students shall not stand up and/or move from seats while the bus is in motion.
Students shall not extend hands, head, feet or objects from windows or doors.
Students shall not carry or have in their possession items that can cause injury to passengers on the bus. Such items include, but are not limited to matches, or other incendiaries, concussion devices; sticks, breakable containers, aerosol containers, straps or pins protruding from clothing, large bulky items or musical instruments which cannot be held or placed between legs, etc.
Students shall not smoke; possess tobacco, alcohol, drugs or other illegal substances or paraphernalia of any kind.
Students shall not have any weapon as defined by board policy JFCJ in their possession [not limited to firearms, knives, fireworks, metal knuckles, straight razors, pepper spray, noxious or irritating gases, poisons; unlawful drugs or other items fashioned with the intent to harm, threaten or harass students and/or staff members].
Students shall not have animals on buses, except Seeing Eye dogs.
Students shall keep books and personal belongings out of the aisle and on their laps. Items larger than what can be held on laps will not be transported on the bus.
Skateboards are not allowed at school; if it is necessary for a skateboard to be transported it must be secured in a duffle bag or placed in the bus front trash can, remaining there until arriving at the school or home.
Students shall use emergency exits only as directed by the bus driver.
Students shall follow emergency exit drill procedures as prescribed by the driver.
Students shall not open bus windows without the driver’s permission.
Students shall ride on assigned bus and leave the bus only at assigned stop. Bus passes are required to board or depart at a different authorized stop.
Students shall stay away from the bus when it is moving.
Students shall be at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pickup time.
Student’s misconduct shall constitute sufficient reason for suspension of transportation privileges.
Students shall answer to coaches, teachers, and chaperones who are responsible for maintaining order on trips.

Students or parents must reimburse the school district for bus damage caused by the student’s misconduct.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if…..

My child is ill: Please do not send students that are ill to school. If your child becomes ill at school or on the bus, you will be asked to transport your student home.

My child misses the bus: The driver cannot return to your stop location due to scheduling. The parent/guardian is responsible to transport their student to school in the event they miss the bus.

My child needs to go to a different address than usual: Bus passes are required for students who wish to depart the bus at a different authorized stop or to ride a different bus from school. The student’s school office will issue the bus pass.

My child is late: If your child fails to return home at his/her expected time, contact the school first. Please keep in mind there may be many reasons for a bus to be late on the route. A bus could be late if there is a substitute driver, if there are mechanical problems, traffic tie-ups (train), inclement weather, or poor road conditions.

My child receives a bus citation: The district maintains a discipline procedure to insure students follow the student conduct and safety rules while using the district transportation service. In most cases, at least one warning slip will be issued prior to the suspension of transportation. A student who receives a bus citation may not be able to ride the bus until the student returns the signed form to the bus driver. Signatures of the parent are required. A bus citation may count as a disciplinary referral. Consequences for bus problems often include assigned seats. A student’s ongoing failure to conduct one’s self in a safe manner on the bus may result in an extended period of suspension from the bus.

How will I know if schools will be open or buses run on time during bad weather: School closure, delayed opening and/or use of snow routes will be announced on local radio and TV stations.

I have a concern about transportation services: Please first call the transportation department (459-2785), a message will be taken and given to the driver and he/she will get back to you. If you are unable to resolve your concern, please discuss the situation with the Transportation Supervisor. If your concern is a route or bus stop question, please contact the transportation support secretary (459-2228).

Video Cameras

Video cameras are installed on the buses. They may be used to monitor student behavior on district vehicles transporting students to and from curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Students in violation of district conduct rules shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established Board policy and Oregon Administrative Rules governing student conduct and discipline.

Such equipment may also be used to monitor the performance of District employees in the fulfillment of their duties on District vehicles transporting students to and from curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Any illegal acts that are videotaped on District vehicles will be turned over to the appropriate personnel and/or authorities.

You'll find the following:

General Dept. Info

Bus Routes

Conduct & Discipline

Snow Routes

Expectations Parents

Expectations Students

FAQs

Video Cameras

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