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Transportation Department

The Mandan Public School District was reorganized in 1969. Following reorganization, the transportation of rural students began in September of that year with eight buses. From a small beginning the system has grown to 25 routes (rural, city & special education) transporting approximately 1800 students and traveling close to 1750 miles each day. At the present time there is no charge for transportation.

Goals

Our goal is "to transport all students, a very precious cargo, in a safe, quiet, and enjoyable manner to and from school and school related activities."

In order to accomplish this, the cooperation of students and parents is important. The school bus is an extension of the classroom. The driver is entitled to the same respect as given a classroom teacher. Consequences for misbehavior may include, but are not limited to, a change in seat assignment, written warning, and/or suspension from the school bus. (See student/parent handbook)

Riding the bus is a privilege. A child is not required to ride a bus to and from school. Parents have the option to choose another mode of transportation for their child/children.

Registration

Each student wishing to ride a school bus must be registered for that service on an annual basis. Registration forms for the coming school year will be distributed on each school bus during the middle part of April each year. They are to be returned to the driver or the district office within five days. New students or those not riding a bus may register at the Central Office or at the school they attend. These registrations are due no later than July 15, to ensure a ride on the first day of school.

Emergencies

• Inclement Weather: Should school be closed an announcement will be made on television, radio, and the school website by approximately 6:00 A.M. In case buses are not operating and school is in session that announcement will either be made over television and radio or by our office contacting the first pickup on each route not running. We have distributed emergency calling lists to all parents of bus students. After being contacted, we ask that the first parent on the list contact the next family listed and so on down the list until the last family has been contacted. This will speed up the process and eliminate our trying to contact all families on the routes that are not running. If you cannot contact the next person on your list be sure to go to the following family name so that you do not break the calling chain.
• Bus Breakdown – Stuck – Etc.: We have communication capabilities either by two way radio or in many cases, cell phone. An effort will be made to contact remaining students that have not been picked up as soon as we find out about a problem. We will send another bus to pick up stranded riders and complete the route as quickly as possible. For this reason we do ask that parents see that their children are appropriately dressed for the weather.
• Substitute Buses: Many times we must send an alternate bus on a route due to a mechanical problem, etc. When this happens we will place white magnetic signs with black numbers, indicating the regular route bus number, on both sides of the bus. This should eliminate any problem for children not getting on the right school bus. You will be notified if a different bus is placed on your route on a permanent basis.
• Substitute Bus Drivers: We will not notify parents when a substitute bus driver will be driving a route. We will, however, notify you of a permanent change in driver or a long term substitute.
• Students Walking to Schools to Meet a Bus: In such case where students, mostly 6th,7th and 8th graders, are walking to a neighborhood school to meet a school bus plans are in place for their safety. In case of cold, inclement weather, the school bus is late, etc., the school will be open for them to wait inside. Supervision at the school will be provided.
• Parent Student Handbook: This handbook contains many guidelines for your child while riding the school bus, such as discipline guidelines, friends riding home, transporting musical instruments, use of cell phones, etc. We ask that you read it and discuss it with your child/children.