Administrative Guideline
Portland Public Schools Transportation Policies (Revised October 1998)
Discipline Process
The
Portland School Committee has determined that inappropriate behavior
on the school bus will not be tolerated. Transportation to and from
school is part of the school day, and all of the rules governing
student behavior are in force. The issue of safety requires that
students be on their best behavior while on school vehicles.
Students, parents and school employees must understand that rules are to be consistently and fairly enforced and obeyed.
Such
misbehavior as rudeness, pushing, fighting, throwing objects,
obscenity, and other offenses may result in the suspension of
transportation services. The School Department may request that parents
accompany a disobedient youngster on the school bus if necessary to
guarantee good behavior.
The following will be observed in dealing with violations of the Student Bus Conduct Code:
1. First Offense - Warning
The
driver will turn in the name of the student on a completed bus
disciplinary form to the Principal or designee . The Principal will meet
with the student to issue a warning and will also assure communication
of the warning to parents/guardians. Students and parents/guardians
will also be informed of future steps (Step #2) that will be taken
should a second offense occur.
2. Second Offense - Short Term Suspension
The
Principal is required to initiate an immediate suspension of bus
service for up to five (5) school days. The Principal will then
communicate the disciplinary action to parents/guardians and a meeting
shall be held at the school if necessary. Parents/guardians will also
be informed of future steps (Step #3) that will be taken should a third
offense occur.
3. Third Offense - Long Term Suspension
The
Principal is required to initiate an immediate suspension of bus
service for a period of between six (6) and ten (10) school days. A
hearing will then be scheduled by the Principal between the parents,
student, Principal, and Transportation Director prior to the end of the
assigned suspension. The purpose of this meeting will be for the
student to provide assurance of future good behavior and to establish
with the Transportation Director appropriate safeguards to assure that
the student will obey bus rules. In the event that safeguards can not
be mutually agreed upon after a third offense, the Transportation
Director will immediately suspend bus services for a period of
forty-five (45) school days. Students and parents/guardians will also
be informed of future steps (Step #4) that will be taken should a
fourth offense occur.
4. Fourth Offense - Extended Suspension
The
Principal is required to immediately suspend bus services for a period
of forty-five (45) school days for a fourth or subsequent offense.
Procedures outlined in Steps #5 and # 6 will then be followed. The
Principal will assure communication of the disciplinary action to the
parents/guardians and explain the resolution process outlined in Steps #
5 and # 6.
5. Extended Suspension Resolution
A
hearing will be scheduled at the end of the extended suspension with
the School Bus Disciplinary Committee. The committee will be made up of
the following individuals: the Principal, Director of Elementary and
Secondary Education Support assigned to the student’s school, and the
Transportation Director. The purpose of this hearing will be for the
student to provide assurance of future good behavior, and to establish
with the committee safeguards to assure that the student will obey
school bus rules. The committee will decide on the appropriate course of
action. Should the committee receive adequate assurances from the
student, bus privileges will be immediately reinstated. In the event the
committee decides that adequate assurances are not in place, school
bus privileges will be terminated for the remainder of the school year.
6. Appeal Process
All
cases involving termination of services by the School Bus Disciplinary
Committee may be appealed directly to the Executive Director of
Operations. A reinstatement hearing may then be requested. The decision
of the Executive Director is final.
7. Extreme Cases
The
school Principal, in collaboration with the Transportation Director,
has the reserved right to invoke immediate suspension of bus services
for the first offense in order to assure safety of students, staff and
the public. Procedures outlined in #2 and #3 will then be followed.
8. Alternate Transportation
In
cases of suspension or termination of bus service, the parents must
provide the student with transportation to and from school.
9. Special Education Students
Special
Education students (whose IEP includes a transportation requirement)
may be afforded alternate transportation should a student’s bus
priviledges be revoked under the terms of this policy. Special Services
personnel will be kept appraised of any service changes or
interuptions.