What is the process to have newly enrolled students assigned to a school bus?

Any time a new student is enrolled in a school and lives within the school zone, and outside the mile and one-half radius, a school official should complete a bus registration form.  The school will forward the registration form to the transportation office to assign the bus stop and bus route number.  The information will be given to the driver and the school. Children attending schools with an administrative transfer or by tuition are required to provide their own transportation.

What can I do to make my child’s trip to school safe?

Accompany or arrange for an adult to accompany your child to the school bus stop and wait for the school bus to arrive. The same is true in the afternoon. Be at the school bus stop when the bus arrives, and accompany your child home. State law places the responsibility for a child’s safety on the parent until the school bus arrives at the bus stop in the morning, and after the bus leaves the site in the afternoon.

How old can a student be to get off the bus without an adult?

For safety, students in kindergarten through third grade need to be met at the bus stop by an adult or can be released with an older sibling in fourth grade or higher. If no one is there, the bus driver will bring your child back to the school at the end of the route. Students who receive specialized transportation must be released to an adult or follow the drop-off plan outlined in their IEP or 504 plan.

Can a student be picked up or dropped off at an alternate address, including day care centers on a recurring basis?

Parents requesting an alternate pick up/drop off location must forward a written request directly to their child’s school. Request must include the student’s name, parent/guardian’s name, home address, alternate address, and telephone numbers. To be considered, (1) students must be eligible for transportation and (2) the alternate address must be within the attendance zone of the school.

Can my child be required to sit in a designated school bus seat?

Yes, students can be assigned to a seat. This is a practice used by many school districts to control behavior on the school bus. State law gives school districts this authority.

Can a Bus Driver suspend a student from the bus?

No. Bus drivers are responsible for keeping students safe and maintaining order on the bus as outlined in the District's Code of Conduct, but they cannot suspend students. Drivers must report any behavior or discipline issues to the school so the principal can take appropriate action. Bus drivers need to stay focused on the road at all times, because even a brief distraction can lead to serious accidents. Following the District’s standards of student behavior helps keep everyone safe.

Why can’t I get on the bus to talk to the bus driver?

State law does not allow parents or other adults to board a school bus or impede its progress in any way. This law protects the safety of students and helps assure that routes run on time. If a parent has a concern, the parent should communicate with the child's school and/or District’s Student Transportation Department.

If the bus is late, what should I do?

Students should arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled arrival. If the bus is more than 10 minutes late after the scheduled arrival time, please call the Student Transportation Department at (843) 636-5001. 

My child missed the bus, can the bus turn around?

Unfortunately, buses are not able to turn around once they have left a stop. To make sure routes stay on time and all students are picked up safely, children should be at their bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. If the bus arrives within 10 minutes before or after the scheduled time and your child is not at the stop, the driver must continue on the route.

Why can’t the school bus come closer to my house?

School buses cannot stop in front of every eligible student’s home.  There are three rules established by South Carolina state law that provide guidance to the school district regarding the placement of school bus stops.  State law requires that the school bus cannot stop more frequently than every two-tenths of a mile (about 350 yards).  Children who live within 1½ miles of the school they are zoned to attend are not eligible for state-funded school transportation service.  Students may be required to walk up to a three-tenths of a mile to access their school bus route. In cases where students live more than three-tenths of a mile from an existing route, an additional route segment would be added.

Why can’t the school bus come down my road? Are buses permitted to travel on private roads/property?

In addition to student eligibility rules, school buses are only allowed to travel on roadways that assure the safe transport of students. Safety is determined by the ability of the school bus to meet and pass another vehicle of equal size, and the roadway must be well-built enough to avoid damaging the school bus or creating the potential for an accident. The quality of the roadway during bad weather also must be taken into consideration. The safety of the student passengers must be given the top priority. Buses are intended for use on public roadways only. However, if a request is made to enter onto a private roadway/property, (1) the Student Transportation Department must determine the safety and maneuverability of the bus entering the area and (2) the owner of the private roadway/property must provide written authorization for use and complete a Release of Liability” form.

Can large items such as band instruments or projects be transported on the bus to and from school?

Safety comes first. Large items, like band instruments, can ride on the bus if necessary, but they must stay on the student’s lap and within their seating space. Students cannot sit on them or place them on the floor, and items must never block emergency exits, block the service door, the driver’s compartment, or the aisle of the bus. The student must sit by the window and keep control of the item during the ride. Instruments or large items do not get an extra seat.

When are emergency evacuation drills conducted? Who must participate?

Federal guidelines requires that at least twice during the school year; each student who can be transported in a school bus shall be instructed in safe riding practices and participates in Emergency Evacuation Drills.

Can a non-handicapped sibling ride a special education bus? 

Assignments to special education buses are dictated by the student’s IEP. Approval for a non-handicap sibling to ride a special needs bus may be authorized on a Space Available bases or under provisions of a 504 plan.