Bus Stop Parent Responsibility Code of Law

The Bus Stop

South Carolina Code of Laws

Title 59 – Education

Chapter 59 - Transportation of Pupils; School Buses

Article 3 – Transportation by State or State Aid for Transportation

SECTION 59-67-415.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFE AND TIMELY ARRIVAL OF CHILDREN TO AND FROM BUS STOP.

Parents or guardians are responsible for the safety, conduct, and the timely arrival of their children to, from, and at the designated school bus stop before the arrival of the school bus for pick up and transport to school and the timely departure of the children after the school bus leaves the designated school bus stop after transporting the children from school. For purposes of this section, the phrase "arrival of the school bus" includes the time that the school bus assigned to the school bus stop activates the required pedestrian safety devices, stops, and loads or unloads students until the school bus deactivates all pedestrian safety devices.

All our bus stops are selected based on Federal/State laws and guidelines, safety, and serving the most riders in an area. In addition, we have a schedule to maintain in order that all our students arrive at school or home at the appropriate time.

All students are expected to be at the stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time and should be ready to immediately board the bus. All late arrivals will be warned and/or given a Bus Misconduct report. If the late arrival is infrequent and the student is making a concerted effort to not delay the bus, our drivers are instructed to wait for the student. If however the late arrival is frequent and no attempt is made to not delay the bus, our drivers are instructed to leave the stop as soon as all riders at the stop are safely on the bus. These same instructions apply to students missing the bus at their assigned stop and then expect to be picked up as the bus comes back by the stop on the way out of a development.

Our drivers are not permitted to pick up or drop off students at stops other than their assigned stops unless severe weather is present or written permission is provided to the transportation department by the School. A driver, during severe weather, may not leave the assigned route but can make additional stops closer to the student’s home.

All bus stops and stop times are published on the Fort Mill School District website under Parent Information/Bus Routes and Schedules/Specific School/Bus Route.

As we all work together to make this school year the safest and best year ever, we ask that you have your child ready to immediately board the bus on its arrival at the stop.

In all we do, Safety is our first consideration. Thank you for your cooperation.