Parents should be informed of and should understand their responsibility in working with the bus driver and school system personnel for the welfare and safety of their children. Also, emphasis should be placed on the problems involved with safe transportation and the extent of responsibility placed on bus drivers who are transporting their children.

Responsibility of Parents are as follows:

• Be familiar with and follow local board and school level policies for school bus transportation.
• Have children ready and at their designated pick-up points along the route.
• Cooperate with the school and bus driver in teaching children safety precautions and good manners and habits for school bus passengers.
• Assist when there are disciplinary problems.
• Avoid detaining the driver on the route.
• Avoid contacting drivers to change schedules, routes assignments, bus stops, etc. (If a problem arises, contact the principal or the Transportation Dept.)
• Assist the school district in monitoring safe access to passengers by keeping bus loading and unloading zones free of parked vehicles, trash or debris, by keeping vegetation trimmed, etc.
• Provide the local educational agency with pertinent written information regarding any special care the student may need while on the bus.
• Have the child at the designated bus stop at the regularly scheduled time and provide the necessary supervision until the bus arrives.
• Secure the child into any specialized carrying equipment or assistive device prior to the arrival of the bus.
• Meet the bus upon its return to the designated bus stop at the scheduled time or make appropriate provisions for the student's welfare when and if the student is unable to be met at the designated bus stop.
• Keep the bus loading area free of debris and other obstacles.

BESE Bulletin 119

Federal and State Laws and Regulations

Terrorist acts and violent crimes against transit employees and vehicles may be investigated, tried and punished as federal crimes. This act extends protection to school bus transportation and their employees and passengers. Offenses punishable under the new law, include wrecking, setting fire to or otherwise disabling or impairing of vehicle; placing or causing to be placed any biological agent or toxin for use as a weapon on or near a vehicle that would endanger the safety of passengers or employees. A person convicted under this law will be subject to imprisonment for up to twenty years and/or life.

LA R.S. 14:122 Public Intimidation

Public intimidation is the use of violence, force or threats upon a school bus operator with the intent to influence his/her conduct in relation to his/her position, employment or duty. Whoever commits the crime of public intimidation shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both.

LA R.S. 14:63.10 Vehicular Trespass

No person shall knowingly enter into or upon a motor vehicle (school bus), of another without the consent of its owner or of any person who has a right to possession, superior to that of the entrant, when the entrant is not otherwise privileged to do so. Whoever commits the crime of vehicle trespass shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

Bus Stop Walk Distance

The Lafayette Parish School System has adopted specific standards for bus stop walk distances by school groups as follows:

The following are exceptions to the above specifications:

Dead-end streets with inadequate or unsafe turnarounds longer than the above mentioned distances.

Private schools, parochial schools, daycare centers, and special programs.

Please contact the appropriate school for more information.

For a safe and pleasant ride to school and from school, follow these simple rules:

• Cooperate with the driver; your safety depends on it.
• Be on time; the bus will not wait.
• Cross the road cautiously under the direction of the driver when boarding and leaving the bus.
• Follow the driver's instructions when loading and unloading.
• Remain quiet enough not to distract the driver.
• Have written permission and be authorized by the principal to get on or off at a stop other than the designated stop.
• Remain seated at all times when the bus is in motion.
• Keep arms, head or other objects inside the bus at all times.
• Refrain from throwing objects in the bus or out of the windows or doors.  Use emergency exits only for emergencies, and when instructed to do so.
• Refrain from eating or drinking on the bus.
• Avoid the use or possession of tobacco, matches, cigarette lighters, obscene materials, weapons, drugs, or other prohibited items on the bus.
• Take no glass objects or other objects on the bus, if prohibited by state, federal, or other local school board policies.
• Take no band instruments, projects and other projects too large or too hazardous to be held by the passenger or stowed safely under the seat.
• Refrain from damaging the bus in any way.
• Be courteous and safety-conscious.
• Protect your personal riding privilege, and enjoy the ride.

Regulations for Pupils Riding School Buses