Hardin-Jefferson Independent School District

Main Line  (409)287-2929

Katie Kibodeaux (409) 981-6400 Ex 1603
Transportation Director

Bennett Fontenot (409) 981-6400 Ex 1601
Assistant Director

Nikita (409)981-6400 Ex 1604

Transportation Secretary

Hardin-Jefferson ISD provides, free of charge, transportation between home and school to all eligible students enrolled in the district.

This privilege is conditional upon the student observing safe and appropriate behavior while waiting for the bus, riding the bus, and departing the bus.

·      Transportation will be provided to and from the bus stop nearest to a student’s primary address on file. There will be no dropping off students at places of business, friends, or any other place other than their primary address.

·      There is a two-day waiting period for those requesting bus service for the first time, or requesting a permanent address change. This request / change takes two days due to updating our system with a new address, verifying address, notifying the driver / aide, and contacting the parent/guardian with transportation information. 

·      The only same day bus changes that are allowed are for those students who switch from bus rider to car rider.  All transportation changes must be made by noon. Parents must call the campus to make these changes. 

·      Parents are required to sign up for their child’s bus Remind.  Remind is used for communication from Hardin-Jefferson I.S.D. Transportation. Messages are sent out when buses are running behind, new / sub drivers or an incident occurred during the bus route and parents need to be made aware.  Each bus has a remind.

·      Transportation will not be provided for students in the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), After School Detention or Before School Detention. It will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide necessary transportation for their student to and from school while their students are in these programs. 

·       Hardin-Jefferson I.S.D. has placed cameras on school buses. The cameras are to provide safety for all students as well as drivers and aides. Campus’s may request video footage for disciplinary matters. No video footage will be viewed by parents at transportation. The viewing of video footage is determined by each campus.

Parent / Guardian Responsibilities

Ensure that your child is aware of, cooperates, and obeys the bus safety rules as well as the driver's instructions.

Ensure that your child rides the appropriate bus. HJISD does not offer bus passes. Your child may only ride the bus he/she is registered to.

Ensure that your child demonstrates safe and appropriate behavior at the bus stop.

Notify the Transportation Department and your child's school of any changes to your child's transportation arrangements. Changes of address must go through the child’s campus. The campus will then notify Transportation.

Please do not stop a school vehicle, block a school vehicle, or enter a school vehicle. If you have a concern, please call Transportation with your child’s name, address, bus number and the concern.

General Guidelines

School bus transportation is a privilege offered by Hardin-Jefferson ISD to all students who are eligible for this service.

The school district staff and bus drivers share your concern about the safety of your child. You can assist in providing a safe bus ride by reviewing the following information with your child.

Meeting the Bus

Students must be on time and visible at the bus stop. Students need to be at their bus stop five to seven minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. A flashlight, or cell phone light is recommended so the bus driver sees your child in the dark. This also allows other drivers to see your child.

Students must not stand on the traveled portion of the roadway

Students must not approach a moving bus until it stops, and the driver signals the student to approach. Once the driver has signaled, the student may walk toward the bus to board.

Once on the bus, students must go directly to their seats and be seated properly so the bus may continue the route.

Rules on the Bus

Observe the same conduct level as is expected in the classroom.

Students are to remain in dress code on the bus.

Profanity and obscene gestures or drawings are not allowed.

Do not eat or drink on the bus (except for water in a clear plastic container during hot weather.) No party foods (cupcakes, leftover party foods, punch) are to be brought on the bus. 

Do not litter or damage the bus in any way. Damages to the bus will be repaired and the repair will be charged to the parent.

Assigned seats are mandatory.

All items prohibited in school are also prohibited on the bus.

Remain seated while the bus is moving with all body parts inside the seat. Please stay out of the aisle when the bus is moving.

Fighting, horseplay, and throwing objects is prohibited.

No live/dead animals or flammable materials are allowed.

Large, bulky items that cannot fit in the lap of the student are not allowed on the bus. Arrangements must be made for the parent to transport these items. 

No skateboards, balls, rollerblades, or balloons may be brought on the bus.

Use earbuds to listen to music, watch videos, etc. Do not use electronic devices as a distraction. The device will be taken up and given to your child’s school if the rules are not followed.

Do not spray anything on the bus. This includes perfumes, body sprays, and colognes. They will be taken up.

Departing the Bus

• When getting off the bus, students should move quickly but safely away from the unloading area.

• The emergency door at the rear of the bus is to be used in emergency situations only. It is not to be used for boarding or departing the bus.

• Students are allowed to board and depart the bus at designated stops ONLY!!

Consequences for Rule Violations

When a student fails to observe the bus safety rules, the bus driver will complete a bus safety report which will be sent to the appropriate School Administrator. The School Administrator will then conference with the student and assign disciplinary action based upon the incident.

Severe Clause If a bus safety incident is deemed severe enough, the progressive discipline steps may be bypassed, and the student may be removed from transportation for a length of time as deemed appropriate by the school administrator.

Any student that loses bus riding privileges is still required to attend school.

Bus Stops

• In most neighborhood areas, bus stops are located at street corners, however; stops are adjusted in some areas due to traffic patterns or other situations which may pose a safety hazard.

• Where possible, bus stops are located such that students should walk no more than ½ mile to the nearest bus stop.

• If no student is present at a bus stop for two (2) continuous weeks, the bus stop will be discontinued without notice to the parents. Parents must contact the Transportation Department to resume service to that bus stop.

Route Changes

• When a route change is necessary that will affect pick-up/drop-off times and/or bus number, notification will be made either in the form of notes handed out to the students or a Remind sent two afternoons prior to the effective date of the change.

Band Instruments

With student safety as our number one priority, HJISD has established the following guidelines for transporting musical instruments.

• We are unable to accommodate large instruments on the bus due to space limitations.
  
  
• Small instruments can be transported on the bus if the student is able to hold it:

In their lap without resting it on another student.

Standing on the ground within the 7" leg space in front of each seat.

• Instruments cannot be stored in any empty seat, on the floor or in the front of the bus. Unsecured instruments can become a dangerous projectile and must be secured by the student at all times.
• All musical instruments must be positioned in such a way that they do not block or obstruct in any way the aisle, stairwell, or emergency exits.

HJISD is proud to support all students who choose to participate in extracurricular activities and will work to accommodate them within safety and space limitations.

Careful attention to these procedures will assure safe transportation for students and their musical instruments. Students are cautioned that failure to abide by these procedures will cause the forfeiture of the privilege to transport their musical instruments on a school bus.

Please note that these guidelines may be edited as determined by Hardin-Jefferson I.S.D.