Policies & Standards
An Overview of the Transportation Policies of Palm Beach County School District
The Palm Beach County School District (PBCSD) equally provides school bus transportation to all district students regardless of race, gender or national origin in accordance with the State of Florida and the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) statutes and rules.
In order to be eligible for PBCSD school bus transportation the student(s) must reside two (2) or more miles from their assigned school, be a participant in a designated Exceptional Education Program with an active Individual Education Plan (IEP), or a 504 Plan that has been approved by the school principal or their designee. Elementary students who reside within two (2) miles of their assigned school may receive PBCSD school bus transportation if they do not have a pedestrian route from their home to school that is free of hazards as defined by FS 1006.23.
Determining the two-mile limit for PBCSD school bus transportation is outlined in FDOE Rule 6A-3.001. Essentially the distance is measured from a point where the student’s home property meets the public right of way (in the case of a gated subdivision with a private road system, it’s where the subdivision’s entrance meets the public right of way) to the nearest building entrance of the assigned school. It is the shortest pedestrian route, whether or not it is accessible to motor vehicles. All other students whose homes fall within two (2) miles of their assigned school (unless otherwise designated) are ineligible for PBCSD school bus transportation.
Primary responsibility for determining the safest mode of transportation for students to take from home to school and back always resides with the parents/guardians. Each family has a comfort level for the degree of safety of their student. While one family may opt to provide private motorized transportation for their student, others may opt to allow their student to ride a bike or walk to school. In no case does PBCSD or any other city, county or state agency dictate to families the route or mode of transportation the student must take in order to get to school and home.
The Palm Beach County School Board recognizes that students who are ineligible for PBCSD school bus transportation may face circumstances that bused students do not. To assist in the identification of these circumstances, the School Board works closely with all city, county and state agencies to assist in the identification of potentially unsafe pedestrian situations. The various agencies endeavor to correct these situations within their jurisdictions by constructing sidewalks, furnishing crossing guards, installing student cross walks, increasing law enforcement vigilance, etc. to enhance the safety for the students who may use pedestrian routes to school and home each day. In partnering with parents and governmental agencies, the School Board continues to promote increased safety for all students.
Standards of School Bus Behavior for Students
Because of our continuing efforts to provide safe school bus transportation for students in the Palm Beach County Public Schools, we are providing you with the standards of conduct for all students who ride the buses. Students must adhere to these rules. Please discuss these rules with your student and assist us in seeing that these rules are followed:
- Obey the bus operator and all the bus rules.
- Stand off the roadway while waiting for the bus.
- Be at the bus stop at least five minutes prior to the scheduled stop time.
- Cross the roadway several steps in front of the bus.
- Ride only the assigned bus.
- Board and depart at the assigned bus stop.
- Act appropriately while waiting for the bus.
- Give your proper name when requested by the bus operator.
- Remain seated at all times when the bus is moving.
- Remain absolutely silent when the dome lights are on.
- Remain absolutely silent at railroad crossings.
- Refrain from bringing food, drinks, gum or tobacco on the bus.
- Refrain from bringing reptiles, bugs, animals or marine life (dead or alive) on the bus.
- Refrain from displaying signs from the bus.
- Refrain from any use of profane language or gestures.
- Refrain from acts of vandalism.
- Refrain from throwing any objects from the windows of the bus.
Please note that we have installed video cameras on many buses throughout the district. A student may be filmed at any time during their ride. These videotapes can be reviewed and utilized by PBCSD staff to discourage inappropriate student behavior on the bus. Your support and cooperation regarding this will be greatly appreciated. If you have questions or concerns, please call the Transportation Facility which serves your area.