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Important Parent Information from the South Carolina Department of Education:
1.35. (SDE: Parent and Guardian Responsibility) To protect the unwarranted expenditure of funds provided in Part IA, Section 1, VII.C., the parents or guardians of a child being transported on a school bus are responsible for the safety and conduct of the child prior to the arrival of the school bus at the child’s designated school bus stop for pick up and transport to school, and after the school bus drops off the child and departs the child’s designated school bus stop when transporting the children from school. The state’s responsibility includes the arrival or departure of the school bus, which is defined as the time that the school bus assigned to the school bus stop activates the required pedestrian safety devices, stops and loads or unloads students, and until the school bus deactivates all pedestrian safety devices.
This proviso was developed by the SDE with the assistance of the Pupil Transportation Steering Committee for the purpose of clarifying the parent/guardian responsibility for children’s safety and behavior before the bus arrives at the stop in the morning and after the bus leaves the stop in the afternoon. The SDE, while not shirking any of its responsibility for insurance coverage and student safety, encourages school districts to make parents and guardians aware of their key role in the responsibility for student safety.
Bus Driver Training classes will be offered by the Barnwell School District 45 Transportation Office for those interested in obtaining Bus Driver Certification. Participants must be 18 years of age and possess a valid South Carolina Driver’s License. For registration information and training dates please contact the District 45 Transportation Office at 803 541-1383
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Frequently Asked Questions
The South Carolina Department of Education has codified school bus regulations into state law. The law states transportation on general education school bus routes is authorized for public school pupils who live 1.5 miles or greater from their school. Distances are measured from the home address to the school address via surface streets. Public school pupils include pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students. Parents of students attending schools with special permission from outside the attendance zone are responsible for providing the student’s transportation.
Yes. Parents/guardians may request this service during registration and supply the pertinent at that time. During the school year, parents/guardians must request permission for the student to be delivered to the alternate address from the school principal, regardless of temporary or permanent request. In either case, the school will complete an Official Bus Rider Verification Form with the required information including the alternate address and duration of the alternate arrangement. To be considered, (1) students must be eligible for school bus service and (2) the alternate address must be within the school’s attendance zone. This is a space available service with priority given to students assigned to the specific bus serving their home neighborhoods.
In accordance with state law, students may be required to walk up to a three tenths (0.3) of a mile to the nearest bus stop. For students whose walking distance to the bus stop is greater than 0.3 miles, additional stops will be added in accordance with state regulations. Distances are measured from the home entrance via surface streets to the bus stop. Parents/guardians requesting additional or changed bus stop locations may contact the Transportation Department for consideration.
Safe bus stops on each route may not be closer than two tenths of a mile to one another. Bus stops must have a clear visibility of 600 feet in each direction or a “School Bus Stop Ahead” sign must be located at a point 600 feet in each direction from a designated stop. Examples of unsafe stop locations are blind curves, steep grades, near crests of hills or other locations with hazardous traffic conditions. There are certain locations where a bus turnabout (a backing turn, followed by reversal of travel direction) is required. However, this should be the last options. Backing a school bus should be avoided unless no other safe option exists.
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 constructed sufficiently 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 students must receive the top priority. South Carolina school buses are intended for use on public roadways only. However, if a request is made to enter onto a private roadway, (1) the Transportation Department must determine the safety and maneuverability of the bus entering the area and (2) the owner of the private roadway must provide written authorization for use and complete a notarized “Release of Liability.”
Effective October 4, 2021, all Barnwell Primary students are required to have a babysitter or guardian present at their bus drop off location in the afternoons. This procedure also applies to all daycares. If the babysitter or guardian is not present at the bus drop off location, the students' will be taken to the transportation office at the end of the bus route. A parent will be required to pick up their child at the transportation office.
Federal law requires them at least twice during the school year for each student who is transported in a school bus. Instruction must include safe riding practices and participation in Emergency Evacuation Drills. Drills should be conducted within the first two months of school for the first semester and before Spring Break during the second semester. Pre-K - 1st grade students should receive “hands-on” safety training to include evacuation drills within the first weeks of the school year.
Yes. Assigned seats are mandatory in Barnwell School District 45 and have been mandated by the South Carolina Department of Education for the 21-22 school year.
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 Transportation Department.
No. School bus drivers are responsible for maintaining order in accordance with the District’s Discipline Code. The safety and well-being of each student depend on following the standards of discipline outlined by the District. School bus drivers must be able to concentrate on driving at all times. Even momentary distraction can lead to a serious accident. State law requires the driver to report discipline and safety infractions to the school principal. The reports are referred to school administrators for appropriate action, including suspensions for misbehavior and safety infractions or termination of school bus privileges for repeated or severe infractions.
Yes. Face coverings are required for students and drivers on the bus at all times.
Because of the shortage in bus drivers, some buses may be double routed, causing students to get home later than normal. Our school bus drivers are always striving to get students home on time, but most importantly safe.