Transportation

Each year, students move in and out of neighborhoods and students advance in grade levels. Stops can change to accommodate the needs of the students in the area. Versatrans considers the students requesting transportation in each area and the distances walked to each stop and then determines the safest location for all students. If a route changes during the school year, a Parent Square message will be sent out to all families. A mid-year bus stop change does not occur often but could be necessary because of construction in an area, road closures, or unforeseen issues.

Please remember that ACSC Transportation transports close to 9,000 students daily. It is impossible to provide door to door service to everyone and do it in a timely manner. It is more efficient to pick up several students at one stop, usually at a corner or other midway point for the students requesting transportation in the area.

ACSC’s policy does not allow for a student to be picked up and dropped off at different locations. Students are allowed one bus stop in the morning and one bus stop in the afternoon, providing that stop is in the assigned school attendance boundary. This policy is in place so teachers, bus drivers, sub bus drivers, and students know how they are getting to and from school, safely and consistently, on a daily basis.

Some of the older neighborhoods in our district do not have sidewalks and the lighting is poor in many areas. With the Versatrans routing software and our knowledge of the areas we service, we try very hard to place bus stops at the safest location possible. The lack of sidewalks, lighting conditions, weather conditions, stop not being visible from home and/or the bus traveling past the house do not warrant a stop evaluation.

Our routing system, Versatrans, calculates the mileage of the route, the number of stops along the route, and the speed limits of the roads to determine the approximate pick up and drop off time. What the routing program cannot do is calculate the traffic conditions, weather, and road conditions along the route. It sometimes becomes necessary for the driver to make adjustments to expected pick up and drop off times. When adjustments are needed, the driver must contact the parents and students in advance to let them know of the change. Our office will send a letter home with each student and a Parent Square explaining the new time of the pickup/drop off. The afternoon drop can also vary depending on when the buses are released from school, who is riding, traffic conditions, and weather. If you believe the bus is consistently running 10 or more minutes after the scheduled time, please call the transportation office at (317) 544-6140.

First, never let your student run after a moving bus. This is very dangerous. If your student misses the bus, please take your student to school. You may also call the ACSC Transportation office at (317) 544-6140 for further instruction but most routes are not able to accommodate looping back without delaying other students. It also may look as though the driver can see your student, but drivers must check all of their mirrors on the bus prior to moving. By looking at the mirrors it may appear as though the driver looked at your student but is actually checking the area around the bus to safely depart. The best way to make sure your student does not miss the bus is to be at the stop five minutes prior to the scheduled stop.

There is no specific number under Indiana law. The maximum number of students that can be transported in a school bus corresponds to the seat capacity designed by the manufacturer of the bus. An 84-passenger bus, which ACSC utilizes in most routes, can carry 84 passengers regardless of their age or size. Federal regulations govern how manufactures determine seating capacity, using a 15-inch block for each designed seating position, and rounding to the nearest whole number. Most school bus seats are 39 inches wide. Dividing 39 by 15 equals 2.6 and rounds to three seating positions per seat. Clearly, that formula is not appropriate for all students. ACSC typically seats 70 elementary students and 48 secondary students per route. While state law does not limit the number of students per seat, it does require that the exit to be free of obstruction. This means that students cannot be hanging off the seats into the aisles and their belongings cannot block emergency exits.

All students, Pre-K through 12th grade, have an assigned seat on the school bus. This is done for bus safety. An assigned seat on the bus helps the driver know who is on the bus and eliminates the time spent on the student trying to find a seat. Assigned seats also help with deterring acts of vandalism on the bus.

The driver’s first responsibility is to drive the bus. They cannot see everything that is happening on the bus at all times. If something is happening on the bus that concerns you and your student, please first contact the principal of your student’s school. You could also call the ACSC Transportation office at (317) 544-6140 for assistance or to relay a message to the driver. Each driver is happy to assist and make every student’s bus ride a safe and enjoyable experience.

All school bus discipline problems should be immediately reported to your student’s driver and school. Students who continue to cause problems can be removed from the bus for a period of time as determined by the Transportation Center and School Administration.

Musical instruments, athletic equipment and other large items may only be transported if they fit on the lap of the student in the seat. Items cannot be stored in the aisles or blocking exits or pathways. Items such as baseball bats and tennis rackets must be completely enclosed inside the bag.

For ACSC staff use, all buses have at least four active cameras. The newest buses are equipped with nine (9) cameras to help keep students safe. All buses are equipped with GPS and families can view the location of their student’s bus by using the Versatrans My Stop APP.

Parents should contact the Transportation Department. While every reasonable effort will be made to implement new transportation arrangements as rapidly as possible, the placement of new students on a ACSC school bus (or changes requested for existing students) may take up to three full business days to complete. Parents requesting new transportation (or changes) will need to arrange their own student transportation to and from school until school bus transportation can be confirmed.  

In order to drive a school bus for ACSC, a person must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Indiana class B CDL license with passenger and school bus endorsement. The license must also allow you to drive a vehicle with airbrakes. The driver must also have a safe driving record and pass a criminal background check. In addition, the applicant must also attend a school bus driver safety class, which is taught by the state of Indiana Department of Education. Each year drivers are required to attend regular safety and training classes. If an applicant does not hold the required certifications, ACSC’s Transportation Department will provide paid training.

Safety is always our primary concern. Over the past several years, we have made increased efforts to prevent our buses from being in an area where they must back up. Although we have been successful, there are still a handful of routes that are not in compliance. These areas typically involve cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets.

Please be assured that we are making every effort to eliminate driving in these types of areas. We continue to assign bus pick-up points at intersections that better serve our community yet still support our safety concerns. In spite of our efforts, there may still be a circumstance that requires a bus to backup. These circumstances normally occur when a conflict in protocol exists. For example: you reside in a cul-de-sac whose intersecting road has a 45 mph speed limit. In this example, we will default to driving down the cul-de-sac vs. asking your child to wait at the 45 mph intersection.

In addition, there are times, particularly when rounding curves in a road, where the clearance between parked vehicles prohibits a school bus from proceeding. If this becomes an ongoing issue, it may become necessary to change pick up points. Drivers need assistance from parents to help eliminate vehicles from parking on both sides of neighborhood streets.

Riding the school bus is a privilege, and misconduct while riding a school bus can result in the loss of riding privileges.

Students should be at their designated bus stop five (5) minutes prior to the arrival of the bus and should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to load the bus.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and abide by the school rules at the bus stop designated by the Avon Transportation Department.

Parents are solely responsible for their children at the bus stop.

It is a privilege to ride an Avon School Bus. This privilege may be suspended for misbehavior, not following the safety and conduct rules, or lack of cooperation with the driver.

Parents are not allowed to board ACSC school buses.

Please note that nothing in this policy will prevent an administrator from assigning a more severe consequence, up to and including suspension and recommendation for expulsion.

The Transportation Office can assist parents of students who ride a general education bus with concerns about their student’s bus stop by calling (317) 544-6140. We ask that before calling, please be knowledgeable of the guidelines used in establishing bus stops. If your student’s general education bus stop meets the following criteria, no change will be made:

1. Families will be limited to one pick up location in the morning and one drop off location in the afternoon each day. (Note: the pick-up and drop-off location may be different – but will remain consistent.)
2. Preschool/kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop by a parent or designee. If parents choose a designee, an authorization affidavit must be completed. No students will be released to a person other than a parent or guardian if this form is not completed.
3. General education bus stops will be located at residential intersections and will serve one or more students, unless a conflict in protocol exists.
4. If a student is transported in a general education bus, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to get the child safely to and from their assigned bus stop. This includes temporary construction areas within or surrounding bus stop locations.
5. Students must be at their bus stop five (5) minutes before their scheduled pickup time. A bus may arrive up to five (5) minutes before or after its scheduled time. Parents: please be mindful that it is unlawful to board a school bus without authorization or to impede its progress in any manner.
6. The school bus should be clearly visible from any direction a vehicle might approach.
7. Unless a conflict in protocol exists, buses are prohibited from using cul-de-sacs, non-through streets, and private property.
8. Buses will avoid the use of a turn around and backing up, unless unavoidable.
9. Stop distance parameters to/from the bus stop are as follows. Elementary/Intermediate-Maximum 1,000 feet, Middle School/High School Maximum 1,500 feet. (If a conflict in protocol exists, the walk distance may be extended by a maximum of 25%.) Walk distances for apartments and subdivisions built during or after 2018 may not be subject to this criteria.
10. The lack of sidewalks, lighting conditions, weather conditions, stop not being visible from home and/or the bus traveling past the house do not warrant a stop evaluation.
11. Group bus stops will not be located on roads where speed limits are in excess of 40 mph.

First Notice: Verbal warning/parent call

Second Notice: Written warning/parent call

Third Notice: Written warning/parent call followed by a one (1) day bus suspension. The student will be allowed to attend school.

Fourth Notice: Written warning/parent call followed by a three (3) day bus suspension. The student will be allowed to attend school.

Fifth Notice: Written warning/parent call followed by a five (5) day bus suspension. The student will be allowed to attend school.

Sixth Notice: Student suspended from the bus for the remainder of the semester. The student will still be allowed to attend school.

Parent contact will be made after each notice. In cases of egregious misbehavior, normal warnings may be bypassed and become subject to harsher discipline and/or immediate bus suspension.

What is GPS and why is it on the buses? Avon Schools has GPS (Global Positioning System) service on all buses and support vehicles to enhance safety and efficiency. One of the primary advantages for parents is the ability to use your cell phone to track the location of your child’s bus. My Stop is a free new app parents may download from the App Store or Google Play.

Please be advised that BUS DRIVERS DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THEIR ROUTES OR THEIR PICK-UP POINTS. Each route is calculated to leave the transportation center at a specific time, make an exact number of stops, and arrive at a specific destination within a specified time frame. Alterations, additions or other changes greatly affect the outcome. In addition, if the normal driver is unable to report to work, the substitute driver must follow the route as originally designed. Due to time constraints, it’s normally not possible for a driver to turn around and pick up a student who has missed the bus. On inclement weather days, parents are encouraged to work together to keep children warm and safe.

1. Go immediately to assigned seat and remain in the seat for the entire bus trip.
2. If the bus is equipped with seat belts, passengers must wear seat belts at all times.
3. Remain seated and facing forward while the bus is in motion.
4. Talk in a quiet reasonable tone of voice. Loud, boisterous, profane language or indecent conduct will not be tolerated.

5. Students will not be allowed to tease, scuffle, trip, hold, hit or use their hands, feet, or body in any objectionable manner.

6. Throwing items on the bus will not be tolerated.
7. Food, drink, candy, and gum are prohibited on the bus.
8. Students may be permitted, at the driver’s discretion, to utilize electronic devices while on the school bus. Students and parents are responsible for the maintenance and care of all personal electronic devices, including properly securing them to prevent damage and theft at school and on the school bus. The ACSC Acceptable Use Policy applies to the use of personal electronic devices on school buses.
9. Windows are not to be lowered below the designated mark and only with the driver’s approval. Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus at all times.
10. Keep aisle of bus clear of all items, feet, legs, book bags, instruments etc.
11. Students shall be respectful of the bus driver and follow all directions given by the driver.
12. Treat all school property with respect.
13. Observe the same conduct rules as expected in the classroom.
14. Students must be completely quiet when bus stops at all railroad crossings.
15. Students will be released at their designated bus stop only. Once a student boards a bus, he/she cannot exit the bus unless it is at their designated stop.
16. Musical instruments are allowed on the school bus but need to be held by the student during the bus trip. Instruments will not be permitted to be stored in the back of the bus (blocking the emergency exit) or stored in the luggage compartment (safety issue). Instruments cannot exceed the height measured from the bus floor to the bottom of the window. In Avon, the default measurement we use is 30 inches.
17. Sporting equipment needs to be carried in a sporting bag or protective covering, totally enclosed, and held by the student during the trip. Sporting equipment cannot exceed the height measured from the bus floor to the bottom of the window. In Avon, the default measurement we use is 30 inches.
18. Girls sit with girls and boys sit with boys at the discretion of the driver.
19. Skateboards, scooters, etc. are prohibited on buses.
20. Students should be at their designated bus stop 5 minutes prior to their scheduled pick-up time. It is important for students to be at their stop before the bus arrives, so that they will not cause the other students to be late for school. If a student misses a bus because he/she was late getting to their stop the bus will not return to pick up the student. Do not chase the school bus down to put your student on the bus. If your student misses the bus, it is your responsibility to take the student to school.
21. Smoking, lighters, matches, drug possession, fighting, weapons and/or damage to the school property are not tolerated and prohibited.
22. Students entering/exiting the bus is one of the most dangerous times of transportation. Earbuds and/or headphones must be removed upon entering and exiting the bus. This is for safety as crossing and walking to your home or into school.
23. All students who ride the bus to and from school or any school activity are subject to these rules. Behavior which distracts the driver is a hazard to the safe operation of the bus and jeopardizes the safety of all.

Every year, the transportation facility receives thousands of calls from parents/guardians. The number of calls, particularly at the start of the school year, far exceed the number our modest staff may personally answer within a reasonable time frame. In order to respond to your calls in a timely manner, a temporary call center will be established to assist with questions concerning transportation. The Avon Transportation Call Center will be staffed with well-informed individuals who have the knowledge to answer your questions.

You can contact the call center at (317) 544-6150 from two weeks before to two weeks after the first day of school.

Every student eligible for bus transportation has a single or regular way of traveling to and from school. It is the policy of Avon Community School Corporation not to allow transfers, changes, or alternative routes or stops. Students are allowed to have one bus in the morning and one bus in the afternoon; the respective bus stops must be the same Monday through Friday.

Families are encouraged to work with neighbors, to ensure student safety while at the bus stop. Additional options are available. The Hendricks Regional Health YMCA offers before and after school care at each of our elementary and intermediate buildings. Contact information is available in each building. If your child attends a day care/child care facility as defined in I.C 20-27-9-11 and I.C. 20-27-9-12, and the facility is located within the same boundary area as his/her school, the Avon Transportation Department will assign your child’s bus stop to correspond with the stop associated with the facility. The protocol used above for setting bus stops applies to all day care/child care facilities.