115C-246 states that buses must be routed “so that the bus passes within one mile of the residence of each pupil assigned to that bus.” Any bus stop within one mile of the residence is “legal”. Nearly all bus stops are, in reality, much closer than this. What can I do?Ī: The LEA is required to establish a bus stop for each student within one mile of the student’s residence. Q: My child’s bus stop has been moved from the location where it has been for several years. These are MAXIMUM capacities and, while the LEA may not exceed the rated capacity of the bus, the LEA must also provide seating – within the seating compartment – for all students assigned to the bus, whether or not the assigned load reaches the maximum capacity. The maximum capacity for grades Kindergarten through 5 is calculated as the number of seats times 3 (i.e. The maximum capacity for grades 6-8 is calculated as the number of seats times 2.5, where half of the seats would have two students and half would have three students. The maximum capacity for grades 9-12 is calculated as the number of seats times two (i.e. The rated capacity is posted on the front bulkhead of each school bus according to student grades. The largest buses in North Carolina are the “flat-nose” transit-style school buses that have 26 total seats. Q: How is the capacity of a school bus determined?Ī: Nearly all school buses come equipped with 39 inch seats on either side of a center aisle. Violations should be reported to the local director of transportation. The same policy requires that the capacity of the bus cannot be exceeded. Further, each student must be completely seated in the school bus seat - with a padded seat back behind him and a padded seat back in front of him. State Board of Education policy requires that seating be provided for each student on the bus and that standees are strictly prohibited. Q: Are students allowed to stand on the school bus or to sit in the aisles?Ī: Absolutely not. 115C-245(b) states that the driver “shall have complete authority over and responsibility for the operation of the bus and the maintaining of good order and conduct upon such bus.” Further, any person boarding the bus after being told not to by the driver is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor according to G.S. Q: The bus driver told me I am not allowed to get on the bus. Individual LEAs may have local policies that require a maximum ride time. Q: How long are students allowed to ride the school bus each way in North Carolina?Ī: There is no state law regarding the length of a bus ride. North Carolina has a wide range of geography across the state and the diversity of rural and urban areas results in a very wide range of bus ride times. Some rural counties have an average student ride time of over 50 minutes while some small city LEAs have an average ride time as low as 15 minutes. Laws and policies may be found at Following are answers to some of the more frequently asked questions regarding pupil transportation in North Carolina: These policies are requirements and have the full effect of law. Further, state law directs the North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) to develop and implement policies related to school transportation. North Carolina General Statutes (laws) regarding school transportation are found in Article 17 of Chapter 115C, sections 239-262. However, there are a number of state laws and policies to which the LEA must adhere. Local boards of education develop, implement and enforce most of these policies. The board of education in each county or city school system is responsible for most of the policies associated with your child’s school bus ride to and from school. School bus transportation in North Carolina is a function of the Local Education Agency (the LEA). School Bus Transportation for the Public Schools of North Carolina
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