Transportation
Safely transporting students on nearly 100 different routes covering 88 square miles. That's what our Transportation Center accomplishes each school day.
The drivers, monitors, mechanics, and office staff of the Transportation Center keep our buses running and our students moving. They are committed to the safety of our students.
Bus Safety
Keeping students safe is our top priority. Our Transportation Center staff facilitate a safe ride while students are on board, but we rely on our community to keep students safe throughout their entire journey to and from school.
Passenger Policy and Regulations
To facilitate the safety of our students, regulations have been established that apply to all students riding school buses in Sycamore Community School District 427. It shall be the responsibility of the student and family to be familiar with and obey the regulations. Bus misconduct may also result in school disciplinary action.
Our bus drivers are responsible for the students riding their buses just as teachers are responsible for the students in their classrooms. Students are responsible for obeying the driver at all times. Riding a school bus is a privilege dependent on good behavior and following regulations.
Bus drivers are required to report any student who violates the regulations. Violations are reported to the student’s principal or designee who may take away the student’s privilege to ride the bus until such time as permission to ride is reinstated. Students who are suspended from riding the bus must be present in school during the period of the suspension. Failure to attend school during a period of suspension may result in referral to the county truant officer.
- Minor Infractions
- Bus Conduct Report for Minor Infractions
- Major Infractions
- Bus Conduct Report for Major Infractions
Minor Infractions
Bus Conduct Report for Minor Infractions
First Minor Infraction
- A conference will be held between the principal or designee and the student involved.
- A copy of the Bus Conduct Report will be sent to the student’s family.
Second Minor Infraction
- A conference will be held between the principal or designee and the student involved.
- The student will receive a minimum one to three day bus suspension.
- A copy of the Bus Conduct Report will be sent to the student’s family.
Third Minor Infraction
- A conference will be held between the principal or designee and the student involved.
- The student will receive a minimum five day bus suspension.
- A copy of the Bus Conduct Report will be sent to the student’s family.
Fourth Minor Infraction
- A conference will be held between the Dean or designee and the student involved.
- The student will receive a minimum ten day bus suspension.
- A copy of the Bus Conduct Report will be sent to the student’s family.
Major Infractions
- Insubordination of the bus driver
- Fighting, harassment, intimidation, physical attack, or injury to anyone
- Using obscene or unacceptable language, gestures, remarks, or signs directed to anyone
- Property damage to the bus
- Vandalism of any kind to the interior or exterior of the bus
- Throwing or shooting any objects inside the bus, out bus windows, or at the bus
- Possession or use of tobacco, smoking paraphernalia (including but not limited matches or lighters), firecrackers, alcohol, or controlled substances
- Possession or use of weapons, look-alike weapons, or anything that could be used as a weapon
Bus Conduct Report for Major Infractions
If applicable, restitution for damages must be made before a student’s bus riding privileges will be reinstated.
First Major Infraction
Second Major Infraction
Third Major Infraction
Fourth Major Infraction
In cases involving repeated misconduct (Minor or Major Infraction) or in cases of an extremely serious nature or gross misconduct, bus privileges may be withdrawn for the remainder of the school year. Families may request a conference regarding their student’s bus transportation or conduct with transportation staff, building principal, or designee at any time.
This policy and the disciplinary procedures have been adopted by the Board of Education. The appeal process for any disciplinary action is the same as stated in the Sycamore School District 427 Policy Manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The bus drives right past our house. Why can't it stop at our house?
- We can't see the bus stop from our house. Can we request that the bus stop be moved closer?
- We live on a cul-de-sac. Will the bus come down our street?
- Why do some students have to cross the street to board the bus?
- I leave for work early and can’t watch my student board the bus. Can the bus make a stop at our home?
- Why is my student’s bus late?
- Will the Transportation Center call families if a bus is running behind schedule?
- My student is starting kindergarten. Will the bus pick my student up in front of our house?
- Why do some buses have only a few students while my student’s bus is full?
- What is the capacity of your buses?
- My student is the only student at the scheduled bus stop. Can my student be picked up closer to home?
- Why is there an address stop on the route if buses don’t make home stops?
The bus drives right past our house. Why can't it stop at our house?
Each time we make a stop, our bus stops traffic in all directions. Additional stops can make other drivers on the road impatient with us, causing them to drive around the bus which creates a situation for our students. Additional stops also make student ride time longer. Stops are placed to be convenient for groups of students in a subdivision.
We can't see the bus stop from our house. Can we request that the bus stop be moved closer?
We live on a cul-de-sac. Will the bus come down our street?
Unless necessary, buses are generally not routed into a cul-de-sac. Cul-de-sac stops are considered unwise because:
- They create blind spots, often causing students to enter or exit in a danger zone around the bus. By stopping at a street corner curb, students enter or exit outside the danger zone.
- Our different styles and sizes of buses make maneuvering in cul-de-sacs difficult and can cause property damage to mailboxes and landscaping.
- The rear of a bus may swing around close to the sidewalk when turning.
- Parked cars and other obstacles create road hazards that may not be seen until entering the cul-de-sac, which creates a point of no return for our buses, and backing up a bus while students are on board is strictly forbidden.
Why do some students have to cross the street to board the bus?
Stops are placed to be convenient for groups of students in a subdivision. We are not able to route buses so that all students can board the bus on the door side. We recommend that students wait on the side of the street where they reside. When it arrives, the bus will stop traffic in all directions to accommodate students that need to cross the street.
I leave for work early and can’t watch my student board the bus. Can the bus make a stop at our home?
Why is my student’s bus late?
Although the Transportation Center does everything they can to have all buses running on schedule each school day, weather, traffic, driver absenteeism, maintenance difficulties and unforeseen incidents can occasionally cause delays in the arrival of school buses.
In the event that your student’s bus does not arrive as scheduled, contact the Transportation Center at (815) 899-8106. Please allow 10-20 minutes past the normal bus stop arrival time before calling.
Will the Transportation Center call families if a bus is running behind schedule?
Given the number of students we transport, the Transportation Center is unable to contact families for a delayed bus.
In the event that your student’s bus does not arrive as scheduled, contact the Transportation Center at (815) 899-8106. Please allow 10-20 minutes past the normal bus stop arrival time before calling.
My student is starting kindergarten. Will the bus pick my student up in front of our house?
All students are eligible for transportation services if they live more than 1.5 miles from the school. However, there are no special laws or requirements for transporting students enrolled in kindergarten. Families of kindergarten students should make arrangements for someone to be at the bus stop for their student.
Why do some buses have only a few students while my student’s bus is full?
Each bus route is carefully planned using information from school registration, previous similar routes, and Transportation Center data. Distance from school, number of buses and drivers, and grouping of students and neighborhoods are all factors that are considered. In most cases, it is simply not possible to ensure an equal distribution of students across all routes.
Most routes are fixed for the school year in late summer. However, changes may be made after the first three weeks of school or sooner.
