Policy in Practice:
School Bus Discipline Rules and Regulations
The following rules and regulations have been adopted by the
Anoka-Hennepin District 11 School Board. It is hoped that these
guidelines will help us to provide safe transportation to and from
school for your student. Students should be at the bus stop five
minutes prior to the scheduled time. As per Minnesota Statute
123B.90 “Riding a school bus is a privilege, not a right”.
Students who have the opportunity to ride district school buses
may do so as long as they display behavior that is reasonable and
safe. Choosing to engage in unacceptable behavior will result in
loss of bus service. The bus driver is responsible for the safety
and discipline of students on the bus. The building principal is
available to give assistance to the driver and will determine the
consequences of misbehavior, and the reinstatement of bus
service for the offending student(s) should a suspension become
necessary. A suspension applies to all buses unless otherwise
designated by school officials. The responsibility for student
supervision by the district shall begin when the student boards the
bus in the morning and is retained until the child leaves the bus at
the end of the day, or until released to the parent/guardian in a
manner consistent with guidelines on release of students.
TRANSPORTING OF SCHOOL RELATED/
NON-RELATED ITEMS
Under the Laws and Rules for the Operation of School Buses in
the State of Minnesota, it is stated “…no materials, including
guns, loaded or unloaded; gasoline cans, empty or full; animals or
any other object of dangerous or objectionable nature are trans-
ported in the school bus when children are being transported.”
Cell phone use, along with the use of digital or video photography
is strictly prohibited on the bus.
Band instruments that will be allowed on the bus are those that
are small enough to be held in the student’s lap. Instruments may
not be in the aisle or take the space of a student. Hockey sticks,
lacrosse sticks, golf clubs, sleds, or any other unacceptable recre-
ational equipment will not be allowed on regular buses. Ice skates,
skate shoes, skateboards, in-line skates, and bats will not be al-
lowed in the bus unless enclosed in an athletic-type canvas bag
or are otherwise inaccessible. Damage to personal items is not
covered by the bus contractor’s/district’s insurance coverage.
ASSIGNED BUSES ONLY
Students are assigned to buses and bus stops. No change in
either bus or stop is permitted without change in either bus or
stop is permitted without transportation department authoriza-
tion. Temporary changes may be made by school administrators
for authorized emergencies only.
Failure to ride the assigned bus to/from the assigned bus
stop may jeopardize the safety of students and may result in
disciplinary action.
Behavior Guidelines and Consequences
CLASS I OFFENSES
1. Spitting
2. Excessive noise
3. Horseplay/mischief/distracting behavior
4. Eating/drinking/littering on bus
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Leaving seat/standing without permission from driver
Use of liquid containers in any form
Profanity, verbal abuse, harassment, obscene gestures or
possession of unacceptable material
8. False identification/refusal to identify oneself
9. Riding unassigned bus or using unassigned bus stop
10. Opening window past safety line
11. Riding or attempting to ride any bus during a bus suspension
12. Disobedience to the driver/para-educator/bus patrol
13. Cell phone use
14. Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal
CLASS II OFFENSES
1. Hanging out of windows
2. Throwing/shooting of any object
3. Bullying and/or physical aggression against any person
4. Profanity/threats directed toward bus driver/paraprofessional
5. Possession/use of tobacco or any controlled substance
6. Vandalism to bus (restitution will be made)
7. Holding onto or attempting to hold onto any portion of the
exterior of the bus or any “Danger Zone” infringement
8. Lighting of matches, lighters or any flammable object or
substance
9. Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency
exit/tampering with the bus equipment
10. Possession or threat of weapons/explosives/flammables
11. Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal
12. Possession/use of laser pens or pointers
13. Any offense committed on any bus outside of regular
transportation to and from school (activity, field trip, shuttles,
etc) will carry a minimum penalty of a Class II first offense.
5.
6.
7.
Consequences of Bus Offenses
CLASS I
1st Offense: Warning or 1-5 days suspension
2nd Offense: 1-10 days suspension
3rd Offense: 1. 5-10 day min. suspension
2. Possible loss of all bus service
3. Parent/Principal meeting/optional
4th Offense: Loss of bus service
CLASS II
1st Offense: 5 days suspension
2nd Offense: 10 days suspension
3rd Offense: 1. 10 day min. suspension
2. Possible loss of all bus service
3. Parent/Principal meeting/optional
4th Offense: Loss of bus service
The bus and the bus stop are extension of the school day. Bus and bus stop
consequences may be superseded by district policy. The bus driver has the
authority to assign seats. The sexual/racial/religious harassment policy,
weapons policy, and bullying policy will be strictly enforced on the school bus
as well as at school. Video cameras may be used on school buses.
ahschools.us/policies
2019-20 School Handbook