Transportation
Student busing issues
Thousands of students are transported daily to and from Granite District
schools, as well as to educational field trips, and sporting events
throughout the state. Student safety is always in the forefront when
planning and/or executing the overall student transportation plan.
When large numbers of students live in one neighborhood and are bused to a
given school, each student is assigned to a particular bus. This bus
assignment is determined by the student’s address and the total capacity of
the bus. Bus assignments are important to accomplish the following:
1. Control overcrowding issues insuring that every student has a seat
2. Helps the bus driver identify students that should be on the bus
3. Helps improve overall student behavior
4. Enhances the ability of the bus to maintain a time schedule.
When bus schedules and/or procedures are changed, parents will be informed
in advance through communication from the school and/or the transportation
department. Should parents have any questions or need additional information
regarding bus schedules or assignments, please feel free to call 646-4280.
Asked at Cottonwood High School network meeting, October 17,
2007
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Resources for bus drivers to deal with foulmouthed kids and drugs on buses
Driving a school bus is difficult at best. The students riding the bus are
excited to go to school and even more excited to get home. While en route, the
driver has to follow a designated course, deal with traffic conditions, and
maintain a tight schedule; all while the driver is dealing with up to 75
students behind him/her. It is not an easy job.
To assist the driver in his duties, every driver has direct radio contact with
the bus dispatcher at all times. When issues arise, the driver can request
assistance from the dispatcher, school district, or county police department.
Rarely is assistance needed, but it can be obtained if required.
Currently, video recording systems are being installed in a majority of our
buses. This will allow a review of students’ behavior should a problem that is
not observed by the driver occur on the bus.
We request that parents advise their students that riding a bus to and from
school is a privilege and the bus driver, other students, and the bus itself
must be treated with dignity and respect. If a student creates a distraction for
the driver through behavior, language, or threats to other students, that
student will be restricted from the riding on the bus until the problem is
resolved. We prefer that issues be resolved when off the route. The driver must
consider the options when dealing with a student’s behavioral issue. Do I call
for backup, or do I finish my run and then report the problem?
Asked at Taylorsville High School community meeting, January
22,
2008
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