Transportation Procedures & Guidelines FAQ's

Transportation will be provided to and from a student’s primary address and the school or program to which the student is assigned by the District when the distance from the primary address to school, as measured by the District’s bus routing software program, exceeds the maximum allowable walking distance established by State Regulations. Transportation will also be provided when the student’s primary address is covered by a State approved Supplementary Plan. Students attending any school or program on a voluntary basis other than the school or program normally assigned by the District shall not be eligible to receive transportation services.

Students eligible to receive transportation services whose primary address is within the Hillsboro city limits will normally have travel times from their assigned bus stop to their assigned school of less than 60 minutes. Students placed in special programs, or students whose primary address is outside the Hillsboro city limits will normally have travel times from their assigned bus stop to their assigned school of less than 90 minutes. Exceptional circumstances, as determined by the District’s Director of Transportation, may require travel times that exceed these parameters.

Students eligible to receive transportation services will be assigned to a group bus stop established by the District. Bus stops shall be located to support the overall safety and efficiency of the transportation system. Students up to grade 6 may be required to walk up to 0.25 miles to their assigned bus stop. Secondary school students may be required to walk up to 0.5 miles to a bus stop.

Transportation service may be granted to students to and from an alternative address other than their primary address. This courtesy service may be provided only if, in the sole judgment of the Hillsboro School District, no additional costs will be incurred and the following specific criteria are met:

• The alternative address is within the service area for the student’s assigned school or program;
• Service to the alternative address is to be provided on a fixed weekly schedule;
• A seat is available on the bus route serving the alternative address; and
• A bus stop serving the alternative address already exists and is assigned to the bus route.

In addition to these criteria, transportation services may be provided to and from community partnership organization locations that are specifically approved by the District.

Students who have special needs or special accommodations for transportation as established by Individualized Education Plans (IEP) or 504 plans will be provided with transportation services in accordance with those plans

The District shall process all new requests for transportation service and change requests as quickly as possible but no longer than five business days of receiving the required information from the students’ assigned school.

All-day Kindergarten students will be dropped off unattended with their elementary grade school peers. If a driver has a concern such as an authorized individual is not present who is usually at the stop, the driver will complete the bus route and return the child to their home school. The child will remain at the school and school staff will notify the student’s parents who will be required to retrieve their student from the school.

District policies for the administration of medication to students shall be followed on the bus. Medication will only be administered on the bus when a medical protocol has been written. Transportation of medication on the bus must follow District guidelines.

District Transportation staff will make a recommendation to the Superintendent by 4:30 a.m. to delay the opening of or closing of schools. Snow routes serving effected geographic areas, as established by the Transportation Department, will be posted on the District website.

Snow Zones - Inclement Weather or School Closures.

Parents and/or guardians of students who are provided with transportation service shall ensure that their child understands and follows all District policies, rules and regulations for riding the bus. These are outlined in the Parent/Student Handbook each year and are available from the school office. Parents are responsible for their student’s safety from the time the student leaves home until the time the student boards the bus in the morning and as soon as the student gets off the bus in the afternoon.

It is a privilege for students to ride the bus and they must behave in a safe manner while riding. Students that do not follow District policies and regulations may lose their transportation privilege.

Office staff will keep accurate lists of student bus assignments and notify Transportation of changes per parent or school requests. The school is responsible for enrolling new students and notifying transportation in writing of all transportation requests.

School principal’s or their designees shall ensure that staff members are assigned and on duty when buses are loading and unloading at the school. They shall enforce and administer the District’s student discipline policies.

Bus drivers will follow routes as assigned. Drivers shall implement Positive Behavior Intervention Systems as part of their student management. Drivers will follow all rules and regulations as established by federal and state law, Hillsboro School District policy, and these regulations.

Appeals or complaints regarding transportation services shall be addressed to the Transportation Department. The Executive Director of Transportation or a designated Transportation Manager will investigate the request and will render a decision within 5 business days. If the requestor is unsatisfied with the response, they may appeal the decision in writing to the Superintendent’s designee, who will investigate the request and render a decision within 5 business days. The decision of the Superintendent’s designee shall be final.

In the event that it has been determined the District has a missing student, transportation may be contacted to help provide information. Requested information is only to be provided to law enforcement, District Administrators, and the student’s parent or legal guardian.

Students may use and possess personal communication devices while being transported on District buses, provided the devices are not used in any way that disrupts safe transportation or violates Board policies, administrative regulations, acceptable use guidelines, school or classroom rules, or applicable state or federal law.

Sports equipment must be carried in bags or containers. Equipment may not obstruct the bus aisles or exits. Skateboards and scooters must be stored in a bag or backpack. Glass, chemicals, or flammable liquids of any kind will not be transported on the bus. Animals will not be transported on the bus. Student projects must be small enough that a student can hold it securely and safely in their seating space. Box vans may be requested for special trips that require large equipment, such as color guard flags, outdoor school luggage and band instruments.