Buses

SCHOOL BUS DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES

The conduct of students aboard a school bus must be controlled in order to provide safe and efficient transportation. The students aboard a bus are under the authority of the bus driver and directly responsible to the driver. The attached articles are provided for driver guidance in maintaining student discipline.

In the enforcement of student discipline, the drivers should work closely with school administrators. In the event of unresolved problems aboard the bus, after consulting with school administrator, drivers should bring the matter to the attention of the Director of Transportation.

When enforcement of discipline is required, the following steps should be followed:

Discipline Flow Chart

The Driver will issue:

• At least two verbal warnings.
• Two written warnings.
• If the students behavior does not improve the driver will then make a recommendation of denial to the school administrator.

The situations below are serious offenses and are regarded as disorderly conduct. These rules are marked with an asterisk on the Bus Conduct Report to Parents and Bus Rules of Conduct. The Discipline Flow Chart will not be followed; a recommendation to deny transportation will be given.

• Tampering with bus equipment, i.e., emergency door, brakes, switches or other devices.
• Intentional destruction of defacing of seats or paneling within the bus.
• Jumping out of or entering through windows of the bus.
• Inflicting injury upon other students through the use of physical force. 
• Degrading, vulgar or profane speech or gestures directed at others.
• Using physical force upon the driver. Degrading, vulgar or profane speech or gestures directed at the driver.
• Lighting matches, exploding firecrackers or burning of papers or other material aboard the bus.
• Smoking or vaping within the school bus.
• Refusal to remain seated while the bus is in motion, after verbal warnings.

Students found to be in violation may be denied transportation for a period of time.  The school administrator will determine the length of time and notify the parents/guardians. The effective date of denial is the first school day following the issuance of a denial.

On occasion, a school administrator may request a driver to attend a parent conference or a driver may request to attend the parent conference. In either case, arrangements to attend or participate in a parent conference should be coordinated through the Director of Transportation. School administrators should make time and dates of formal conference known to the Director of Transportation.

EMPLOYMENT

On-Call Bus Driver is a substitute position.  This position reports to the dispatch office each day and is given assignments to cover for permanent drivers.  Hours to report are typically 6:30 am until 8:30 am and again in the afternoon at 1:30pm until 3:30 p.m., all routes are in the facility by 5:00pm.

The starting salary for On-Call School Bus Drivers is $19.25 per hour.  Interested applicants should submit an application with the District Classified Human Resources Department, 255 West Stanley Avenue, Suite 100, Ventura CA 93001.  Any questions about the hiring process can be answered by calling Human Resources  (805) 641-5000.

Minimum Requirements:

Must have a driving record sufficient for insurability.

No DUI for at least 3 years.

No drug conviction or no-contest plea (7 years-- or up to the DMV).

No conviction or no-contest plea on a felony charge.

Must pass a drug and alcohol test.

CHP will investigate backgrounds of all applicants. Any applicant that has lived out of California during the last 7 years will have a FBI check.

School Bus Drivers typically work an early morning shift and an afternoon shift for a total workday of about four to six hours.  More senior drivers are able to bid for longer routes up to six hours. Extra hours are available to permanent drivers. Extra hours include field trips, bus washing and covering midday runs. The salary range for a permanent school bus driver is $19.25 - $24.13 per hour. Permanent drivers qualify for medical and retirement benefits. Many drivers appreciate the school work calendar matches that of their school aged children. Others appreciate the opportunity to attend college classes midday and in the evenings while they work part time. Many of our drivers have been driving for us for over 10 years. If you enjoy working with children this is a great job!  

If you are looking to join a winning team, you should give us a call.  For further information about the duties of a school bus driver, please call Pam Medina, Safety and Training Specialist, at (805) 641-5000 ext. 1325.

Staff Request for Field Trip Transportation

Buses are available for approved trips during school hours when they are not needed for home-to-school pupil transportation. The District also has some vehicles that can be used for field trips. Reservations must be made in sufficient time to be approved by the administrative offices and to be confirmed by a transportation administrator (minimum of 21 days prior to the date of the trip).

The Transportation Services Department must arrange all school bus and charter transportation.

All requests for pupil transportation should be made within the limitations established by Board policy 6153: "All trips involving air travel, out-of-state, out-of-the-tri-county area (Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles) or overnight travel shall require prior approval of the Board."

Charter buses may only be reserved through the Transportation Department and only if certain criteria are met. Please contact the transportation director for questions concerning booking a charter bus.

To reserve a school bus, district van, district sedan or charter a bus for a field trip follow the procedures below:

Please complete the online request via "TransTraks", If you need assistance, please work with your Office Manager who can assist you with your request. Any questions regarding field trip approval/timelines etc., please call 805-641-5000 ext. 1023

Once completed online, it will be routed via TransTraks to school administrator for approval, then to Educational Services Division for  approval.          

Once the above has occurred, Transportation Services will then process your request and send a Trip Confirmation Sheet.

District Transportation Rates:

$28.13 per hour    (Regular Rate)

$42.20 per hour    (Premium Rate)

$2.75 per mile

Charges begin and end at 255 W Stanley Ave, Ventura, Ca.

*Premium rate is charged to hours before 8:30 AM, and after 2:00 PM Monday through Friday, weekends and holidays.

District Fleet Vehicles

The transportation department  has 4 - 8-passenger vans and 1 - 5 passenger SUV that can be utilized by District staff and administrators. To reserve a vehicle follow the procedures below:

Obtain a transportation request from your site office.  Submit to school site administrator, supervisor or department head for approval.  Transportation services will process your request after proper approvals, and return pink copy with confirmation back to your site. 

We can also reserve vehicles at a discounted state rate through Enterprise Car Rentals.

District Fleet Rate

$ .61 cents a mile

 Cleaning Fee:  A $100 cleaning fee will be charged when food and beverage are consumed on board a bus requiring more than the standard cleaning.

 Fueling: It is the sites responsibility to ensure all Vehicles have been fueled prior to return.  (Fuel cards are provided)

Tolls/Parking: The site/department is responsible for all tolls, parking fees and permits.

Overnight Trips: The site/department is responsible for the driver's accommodation on overnight trips.

Brad Wilkinson

Shop Supervisor

805-653-0321 (Fleet Services Facility)

brad.wilkinson@venturausd.org

Hours of Operation: 6:00 am - 5:00 pm

Monday - Friday

Staff

John Gustafson-Mechanic II

Danny Lopez-Mechanic I

An important ingredient to a successful transportation facility is an effective fleet maintenance system. Many processes must be effectively combined to produce a dependable, safe and quality transportation service. These processes rely on drivers, dispatchers, office staff as well as the mechanics that work on the vehicles. Since the 1920's, the Ventura Union High School District has provided vehicle maintenance and repair on vehicles used by schools in the city of Ventura. In 1966 the Ventura Union High School District unified with several elementary districts in the area. They formed the Ventura Unified School District. The Fleet Services Office has an excellent reputation for service and we continuously work daily to build on it. Our Mechanics are certified through the National Institute of "Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)." This certification is the national standard in the automotive repair industry and now has certification specific to school bus repair. Our Shop Supervisor is a certified school bus technician. Our Mechanic II is a certified Master Automobile Technician as well as a certified school bus technician. Our thoroughly trained staff is here to help. The safest place a child can be is on a school bus, maintained by well-trained qualified mechanics.

SERVICES

The Fleet Services Office overs the following services: 

45 day 3000 mile safety Inspections

Preventative maintenance service & inspections

CNG fuel injector cleaning

Brake repair

Tires and suspension

Welding

Transmission

Engine repair and tune ups

Radiators and cooling systems

Electrical systems

Upholstery repair

Preventative Maintenance Program

We are committed to providing our community with the safest, cleanest and most reliable vehicles. We will accomplish this goal by performing the highest quality vehicle maintenance program. Our inspections exceed all Federal and State requirements.

The Fleet Services Office coordinates the departments fleet maintenance program. Fleet Services provides vehicle maintenance and repair on the district school bus fleet and several sedans, trucks, mobile classrooms and vans used by schools sites and departments.

Once my student is given a spot on the bus, are they guaranteed the spot all year?
Yes, unless a child has not scanned onto the bus for ten school days in a row, they may be removed from the route. This allows another student on the waiting list to be added unless the family has contacted transportation to request an extension. Call the Transportation Department to discuss if your child is not on the bus for ten days or more for a medical reason.

Is there a fee to ride the school bus?
No. 

What if my child is not assigned a bus and needs a ride to get to school?
Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) offers youth free rides on local public transit.  For more information visit the VCTC Youth Ride Free Promotional Program website. 

Parent Responsibilities

Parents and guardians are an important part of the total safety awareness program for students who travel to and from school by bus. Students can benefit from learning to become safe pedestrians and passengers.

Here's how you can Help: 

 Allow enough time in the morning for unhurried, calm school preparation time.

Prepare as much as possible the night before.

Have your children wear bright, contrasting colored coats or put a piece of high visibility, reflective tape on coats and backpacks.

Help your children to leave on time. Allow for weather and plan to arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled departure time but not more than 10 minutes.

Go with younger children to the bus stop or have older children assist.

Tell your children to walk in groups, if possible.

Please train pets to stay in the yard, away from bus traffic.

Remind your children to walk on the sidewalks or out of the street, single file, facing traffic, and as close to the edge of the road as possible.

Teach your children to Stop, look left, right, and then left again before crossing the street.

Running games, shoving, or horseplay is too dangerous at the bus stop and around traffic.

Tell your children to stand ten feet away from the street when waiting for the bus.

They should wait there until the bus driver says it's OK to board the bus.

If anything is dropped during loading or unloading the bus, children must wait for instructions from the bus driver before attempting to retrieve it.

12 feet on either side and 12 feet in front of the bus are considered the Danger Zone. This is the area most difficult to SEE children around the school bus.

Teach your children to STOP and look before hurrying away from the bus as they exit at the end of the day.

            No objects should be thrown from the bus.

Here's how you can help with students with special needs :

          Be at home or have a designated responsible person there when your child is scheduled to arrive from school.

          If you have an emergency and you or a responsible person cannot be at home for the delivery of your child, notify your child's school as soon as possible.

          If you are running late notify dispatch at 805-641-5000 ext. 1320.  

          If you child is ill and unable to ride the bus, please notify dispatch at 805-641-5000 ext. 1320.

          Notify Pupil Services/Special Education Department at 805-641-5000 ext. 1123, 1124 or 1125 immediately if there are any changes to  your personal circumstances.

          (i.e. address change, telephone contact numbers, alternate address information).

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

·  Observe the same conduct rules as the classroom while riding a Ventura Unified School District school bus.

·  Use appropriate language and be courteous to your bus operator and fellow passengers.

·  Do not eat, drink, or smoke on the bus.

·  Throwing objects out of a window or littering the bus is prohibited.

·  Sit in your assigned seat and remain seated at all times until you are at your final destination.

·  Obey the directives of the bus operator.

·  Keep your hands, feet, and head inside of the bus at all times.

·  Respect school property. You and your parent or guardian will be responsible for any damage you cause to a Ventura Unified School       District bus.

·  Inappropriate gestures or comments to passing motorists or others outside of the school bus is not allowed.

 Frequently Asked Questions

 SPECIAL EDUCATION

What if my child's bus is running late?  Contact Dispatch in the event of a delay at 805-641-5000 ext. 1320. We will at that time, ascertain from the driver an estimated time of arrival.

Is every student with a disability eligible for special transportation services?   No. Only students whose IEP specifies that special transportation services are required to enable the student to obtain a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) will be eligible.

What does the IEP team consider when it is deciding whether or not my child is eligible for special transportation services?  The IEP team considers a number of factors including, the student's disability, the location of the student's special education services, the student's communication abilities; and the student's reliance on special equipment.

What kinds of services does the district provide?  The district provides the transportation services specified by the IEP team.

Are safety devices used when transporting my child?  Safety devices as appropriate, are used to properly secure and protect passengers. Additionally, all buses have communication equipment that ensures that the bus operator has communications with the department. In an emergency situation the driver is able to contact emergency personnel with their Nextel cell phone/two-way radio.

Will special transportation service, if recommended by the IEP team, cost me anything?  No. There is no charge for transportation services if the IEP team has determined that transportation services are required. However, personal equipment such as an appropriate wheel chair or car seat, if needed, is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide.

How long will it take for a route to be scheduled for my child?  After transportation services has received a completed transportation request from Pupil Services/Special Education your student will be routed within three business days.

Where will the bus pick up and deliver my child?  The Transportation operations office will provide you with your bus stop. This may or may not be located at your residence. Some students are assigned to corner school bus stops. As a student's needs dictate, accommodations in services will be made from the least restrictive environment.

What should I do if I have an emergency and cannot be home to receive my child?  If your child has not been picked up by the driver notify the school site and instruct them to keep your child a the school. If your child has already been picked up and there will be no one at the bus stop to receive him/her the driver will return your child back to school, unless you have completed an authorization form to release your child unattended.

If I move, what should I do to be sure that transportation services will continue for my child?  Contact Pupil Services/Education Department at 805-641-5000 with your new address. Transportation may need as much as three school days to effect a change in service for your child.

I left an item on the bus - How do I get it back?  If a personal item was mistakenly left behind on the bus, contact the Transportation Services Department at 805-641-5000 ext. 1320. We will make arrangements for the item to be taken to your pupil's school or brought back to the transportation facility were you can pick it up. Any items not claimed will be kept in the lost in found.

What if I am not at home or at the stop to receive my special education child?  If you arrive at home and discover that an attempt was made to deliver your child at home, please contact Dispatch, and we will give you information regarding delivering your child or informing you that your child has been returned to school.

2024  Summer School Bus Routes 

Thank you for entrusting us with your student's ride to and from school.

2024 Summer School Session 3- July 29-Aug. 2, 2024 Bus Routes

We are pleased to announce a new phone application called "My Ride K-12. This app. will help Families stay connected to their students Route information and Transportation needs.  If your student qualifies for Transportation, please click the link below, follow the instructions and link to your student information. (Please check criteria below to verify that your student qualifies for Transportation)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bus routes are updated as changes occur.  So please check back often to verify that your students route has not changed. 

Here is the link to the Parent User Guide to sign-up for My Ride K-12! User Guides Flyer  (Formerly know as Traversa Ride360)

Transportation Safety Plan

The Transportation department recommends reading the Transportation Safety Plan if you are interested in the various policies and procedures they have in place to keep all riders safe. 

Procedures for a School Bus Accident

The California Vehicle Code defines a School Bus Accident as:

A motor vehicle accident resulting in property damage in excess of seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750) or personal injury, on public or private property, and involving a school bus, youth bus, school pupil activity bus, or general public paratransit vehicle with a pupil on board; a collision between a vehicle and any pupil or the bus driver while the pupil or driver is crossing the highway when the school bus flashing red signal (cross-over) lamps are required to be operated pursuant to Section 22112 VC; or injury of a pupil inside the bus as a result of acceleration, deceleration, or other movement of the bus. All school bus accidents shall be investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

• The driver shall notify dispatch of their location and inform them that they are involved in a school bus accident. 
• Dispatch will contact CHP and if any pupils are injured emergency medical personal will be dispatched.
• In the event of a school bus accident the school site Principal, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Director of Transportation and Director of Risk Management will be notified.
• Parents or guardians of special education students will be notified if their child is involved in a school bus accident.  
• Pupils will be released by a  CHP officer.
• If any pupils are injured they will be transported to the nearest hospital.
• The school site will notify parents or guardians of any injured regular education student.

Safety Instructions, Drills and Presentations

In accordance with the California Vehicle Code, Education Code, and School Board Policy, the Transportation Services Department will provide the following:

1. Prior to the departure on any school activity trip, the driver of the school bus shall give safety instructions, including but not limited to, the location of emergency exits and emergency equipment.

2. At least once each year, all pre-kindergarten through eighth grade pupils who receive home-to-school transportation shall receive safety instruction in proper loading and unloading procedures, including escort by the school bus driver, proper passenger conduct, bus evacuation, and location of emergency equipment.

Transportation Criteria

 The Ventura Unified School District Transportation Department provides student transportation for students who reside further than these distances from their home school:

• Kindergarten – 3rd Grade – ¾ miles
• 4th – 5th grades – 1 mile
• 6th – 8th grades – 2 miles
• 9th – 12th grades – 3 miles

All students riding the bus will be issued a Bus ID Card.  This card is to be used to scan on and off the bus.  These cards are issued one time and to be saved for the duration of time the student rides the bus with VUSD.

If you have any question, please call the Transportation Department at 805-641-5000 ext. 1320.

SCHOOL OF CHOICE OPTION: 

When selecting the "School of Choice" option, it is understood that no Transportation Services will be offered.