FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Transportation

1.         Q.        How far must children walk to a bus stop?

• Walking distance to bus stops will be based on grade level:

• 7-8 grades                   no more than 3 blocks
• 4-6 grades                   no more than 2 blocks
• 1-3 grades                   no more than 1 block

 (1 block equals 1/10 of a mile)

2.         Q.        What if I cannot see my child at a bus stop from my home?

• If parents are uncomfortable with their children going to a bus stop out of view from their home, we would encourage them to choose a plan of their choice that they are comfortable with.  Some plans include:

• Walking to the stop with their child
• Sharing supervision with another parent
• Requesting a move to another bus stop where there are other children.

3.         Q.        What if a child is the only student at a bus stop?

• You can choose from a few options:

• You can request to have your child go to another bus stop where there are children.
• You can supervise your child at the bus stop

Your child may walk to another corner where there are other children.  We cannot regulate which child will come to a corner to get a bus to school on a given day.  This may change due to illness, practice schedule, parent work schedule, etc.

4.         Q.        How long of a bus ride should my child expect?

• Our target bus ride time is:

• 7-8 grades                   no more than 45 minutes
• 1-6 grades                   no more than 40 minutes
• Kindergarten               no more than 35 minutes

5.         Q.        Why can’t all the children be picked up in their driveway?

• We believe this would significantly hinder our ability to complete the bus route in a timely manner.  Our current plan minimizes the time a child has to be on a bus and decreases the opportunity for discipline problems on the bus.  We believe this could prove to be a safety hazard as the bus stops at each house in densely populated areas, causing a long line of vehicles impatiently waiting.  Also, often times a substitute driver has to drive a given route.  Numerous homes do not have adequate markings showing an address causing the driver to strain to “find” a house, thus not properly paying attention to his/her driving.

6.         Q.        The bus passes my house, why can’t it just stop?

Please see answer to question 4.

7.         Q.        Our subdivision does not have sidewalks, and as a result we believe we should be picked up in our driveway.

• We realize there are a number of areas in our community that do not have sidewalks.  This is also the case in many communities in Illinois.  As a result, the location of your home purchase has some advantages and disadvantages.  Many parents report they do not want their children walking in the street.  We agree, we believe the children should be walking on the grass to the stop and not the street.  The bus will be able to stop at the nearest driveway adjacent to the corner.  Drivers are instructed to develop an alternative route plan to be used in cases of inclement weather.

8.         Q.        The District cannot require children to stand at a corner, as that is not the property of their facility.

• The “parkway,” despite the fact it is adjacent to that homeowners property, is clearly not the homeowner’s land.  Individuals are allowed to stand on that property without repercussions.

9.         Q.        Can I get picked up in my driveway if my child has a handicapped condition?

• You can get picked up in your driveway if it is written in your child’s IEP (individualized education plan) as a required, related service to help them benefit from their special education program. 

10.       Q.        We live on a cul-de-sac.  Will the bus come down our street?

• Except for special education circumstances, buses are generally not routed into a cul-de-sac.  Cul-de-sac stops are considered unwise for the following reasons:

• Cul-de-sac stops create blind spots often causing students to enter or exit in a danger zone around the bus (at a corner stop or street curb stop, they enter/exit outside the danger zone
• Different styles and sizes of buses make maneuvering in cul-de-sac difficult
• The rear of the bus has potential to swing around close to the sidewalk
• Parked cars and other obstacles create road hazards that may not be seen until entering the cul-de-sac and at a point of no return
• Backing up a bus when students are on board is strictly forbidden
• Potential damage to mailboxes and landscaping

11.       Q.        Why do some children have to cross the street to board the bus?

A.        We are not able to route buses so that all children can board the bus on the door side.  We suggest, if you prefer, that children wait on the side of the street where they reside.  The bus will stop traffic in all directions to accommodate students that need to cross the street.

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