• Student Safety

    The primary concern of the Transportation Department is student safety. The most dangerous time for students is before and/or after they are on the bus. The Transportation Department considers the environment and age of the students when making bus stops. We attempt to place every bus stop at a location with reasonable safety assurances for students. Parents must assume the responsibility for their students traveling back and forth from home to the stop.

    Bus Stop Location

    Belton ISD creates bus stops using the following criteria.

    • Eliminate students crossing busy streets at elementary levels and reduce the number of students crossing at secondary levels.
    • Provide students with the ability to stand off the roadway while waiting for the bus.
    • Locate the stops to maximize visibility for both students and traffic (100' minimum visibility).
    • Place the stops in locations away from non-traffic hazards such as railroad tracks and commercial areas.
    • Avoid stops in cul-de-sacs to minimize accident risks caused by buses backing up to turn around.
    • Place stops on streets with as little traffic as possible.
    • Create buffer zones between students and the bus both in the neighborhoods and at school.

    Zones

    The most dangerous times during a school bus ride are while loading and unloading passengers. It is critical that students are visible to the driver and outside the bus danger zones when the bus is approaching the bus stop. This rule applies to loading and unloading both in the neighborhoods and at schools. If students must cross the street, they should move immediately out of the danger zone and proceed at least 15 feet in front of the bus before crossing the street.

    Rules For Student Conduct on School Buses

    Rules for student conduct on school buses are available in the Bus Rider Safety Handbooks. The following list is posted in all buses.

    • Remain seated / facing forward / keep the aisle clear.  Seat assignments are assigned by the driver.
    • Keep your hands & feet to yourself.
    • Water Only
    • Use appropriate language / inside voice.
    • Electronic devices are allowed.  Ear buds must be worn.  Volume level must be kept to hear instructions from the driver.

    Students failing to follow the posted bus rules will be subject to progressive discipline by the driver and school. The driver will first remind the student of the infraction and ask the student to obey the rules. If the student refuses to obey the rules, the driver will either move the student to another seat on the bus and/or write a safety report. Student discipline generated by a safety report is handled by the Transportation Department and/or school administration.

    Bus Safety Reports

    Belton ISD Transportation Department's goal is to provide a safe and efficient transportation service. Disciplinary action is handled in a progressive manner as follows.

    • The driver verbally instructs students to correct their behavior.
    • If incorrect behavior continues, the driver will re-assign the students' seat.
    • Repeated misconduct will result in a safety report filed to the Transportation Department and/or campus administration.
    • Multiple safety reports may lead to suspension of bus privileges.

    For more detailed information on bus conduct and student discipline, please see the Belton ISD Bus Rider Safety Handbook.