Transportation FAQs

How do I know if my child is eligible to ride the bus?

Children are allowed to ride the bus if deemed eligible by the Transportation Center, in accordance with Board Policy.  Board Policy 751 sets the guidelines for walking distances to bus stops. Kindergarten students may walk up to .2 miles, 1st-5th grade students may walk up to .3 miles, and 6th-12th grade students may walk up to .5 miles.  Where practical, routes have been setup to eliminate left-turns onto major roads/highways unless there is some type of traffic signal to allow the bus to safely turn.Bus transportation is provided to children living 1.1 miles or over from the school of attendance. 

Children living less than 1.1 miles from school may ride the bus if the route to school is determined to be hazardous by the Sheriff’s Department, according State Statute 121.54(9).

Rural areas
1.  Students will be transported to and from the nearest point where private driveways intersect with town, county, state or federal roads.
2.  Students will be collected at prearranged points where dwelling units are clustered.
Urban areas
1. Students living 1.1 miles from their assigned school will be collected at prearranged bus stops.
2. The District may transport students living less than 1.1 miles from their assigned school if it is determined in accordance with State Statute 121.54(9) that hazardous conditions prevail.  In Cross Plains, transportation is provided for all students living over .5 miles from school.

What if my child is to be dropped off to a baby-sitter after school?

All students, including those who are not normally bused, are eligible to ride the bus after school if they need to be transported to a child care provider, and meet the conditions below. Parents need to fill out a request for regular transportation to child care provider form. The form is available at any of the District schools, the transportation center or the district office. The following conditions need to be met:
1. The route already goes past the provider's home or designated bus stop. The bus will not add mileage to its route to go past the child care provider's residence.
2.  Requests received prior to July 15 will be guaranteed a ride provided the above is met.  After July 15, requests will be determined by whether or not there is room on the bus.  If additional children move into the 1.1 plus mile limit, or if there is a shift in pre-scheduled ride patterns during the year and there has to be a displacement, then the last student(s) accepted for ridership would be the first displaced.  “Last in, first out.”
3. Only a limited number of changes of provider will be accepted during the year. A new set of forms is required for each change.
4. Transportation requests to and from child care providers will have to be renewed each school year.

When I'm driving, when do I stop for a school bus?

Please visit our page on School Bus Safety for answers to that question.

What are the procedures for riding the bus?

Please visit our page on School Bus Safety for answers to that question, along with information about loading and unloading and rules for students while on the bus.

Are there disciplinary procedures for students who display inappropriate behavior on the bus?

Yes. Please visit our page on School Bus Safety for answers to that question.