Mark Twain Union Elementary School District

The goal of the Transportation Department is to provide safe transportation to and from school.  The District offers bus transportation for our students to and from school .  The use of the bus is a privilege rather than a right.  The expectation to follow rules will be strictly adhered to given the ramifications of safety to a bus load of children when the bus driver is distracted. The Governing Board of the District has instituted the payment of fees for student transportation. 

 Although every attempt is made to follow the bus route and schedule, a window of ten (10) minutes before and after the pick-up and drop-off time should be allowed for unexpected events.

 Whenever a student has to change his/her bus stop, he or she must have a note signed by the parent or guardian and verified by school office personnel stating where he or she is to be dropped. In certain emergency cases, the parent may call the school office.  Staff cannot guarantee that calls made after 1:30 pm of the day of the change will be able to be delivered to the bus drivers.  In the event the bus is crowded, regular riders on that run will be loaded first. Special note riders will then be loaded on a space-available basis.  

 Students transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to the driver of the bus.  Any student who violates the rules and regulations of the bus may have his/her privileges suspended.  Video cameras may be used on school buses to monitor student behavior while traveling to and from school and school activities.  Video recordings may be used in student discipline. Due to confidentiality will not be for parent review. 

Click Here For Application ------> 24-25 Application

For Questions About Transportation Contact The Transportation, Manager: Bill Sundling at (209)736-6562 or (209)736-1855 Ext. 500 or Email at: Bsundling@mtwain.k12.ca.us

All students riding the bus must complete an application annually.  The District has developed the following procedures for the collection of school bus fees, which are in accordance with Education Code 39807.5.  Bus fees will begin on the first day of school.  Students should have their bus pass available to show the bus driver each time they ride the school bus.  

If children qualify for free/reduced lunches you will still need to fill out an application and provide the proof of income that applies for your family.  If no proof of income is attached to the application the pass will not be processed.

 Copperopolis 7th and 8th students will be bussed to Mark Twain Elementary School daily at no charge as long as their bus stop is Copperopolis Elementary.  If children need to be picked up or dropped off at a bus stop near your home, they would be required to pay the stated transportation fees. Please call the district office to find out current fees.

Initially no child will be left in the morning for non-payment. However, if fees remain unpaid for a period of 10 school/attendance days or documentation is not provided for the free bus service, the following steps will be taken:

1. A child will be denied bus service in the afternoon. Parents or guardians will be notified to pick up the child at the school of attendance. Parents/guardians who fail to pick up children in a timely manner, (2 hours after the close of school day) will be referred to Children's Protection Services (CPS). This practice will be consistent with other districts in the area who have instituted a bus fee system.

2. If a transportation problem remains unresolved for an additional five days, the parent/guardian will be notified by certified mail that both morning and afternoon bus services are denied.

3. Parents failing to send students to school because of denied bus service will be referred to the Calaveras County Student Attendance Review Board (SARB).

Legal Reference:

Education Code

39800 Power of Governing Board to Provide Transportation for Pupils to and from School

39807.5 Payment of Transportation Cost

Though school attendance is mandatory, bus transportation is a privilege. All school rules apply to students during transport and while at school bus stops.   

 1.       Students will display positive, calm behaviors that will ensure the safety of all riders and help the bus driver remain focused on driving safely rather than disruptive student behavior.  

2.       Upon entering a bus equipped with seatbelts, the student will quickly be seated and properly buckled. Seatbelts must remain buckled for the duration of the ride.

3.       Students will us calm, quiet voices while riding the bus, remain seated, and keep hands and feet out of the aisle and in their personal space.

4.       Students will show care and respect for school property and the property of others. 

5.       To maintain safe travel to and from school, buses are not able to transport the following items: glass containers, knives, live animals, or any article that may be deemed a hazard by the bus driver.

6.       The bus driver must give permission and access to the riders. Special permission must be given by the site administrator, transportation director, AND bus driver to parents, community members, and siblings not enrolled to access the bus. 

7.       The use of personal electronic devices may be used on the bus as long as the student is wearing headphones or earbuds and it cannot be heard by others. Personal electronic devices may not be shared on the bus and should remain with the owner at all times. The district nor bus driver is responsible for damage or lost devices, should a student choose to use during transportation times. Personal electronic devices must be turned off and stored away once school begins and remain turned off and away during the entire school day unless expressly permitted by the classroom teacher. 

8.       The bus driver may, with the help of the school principal or transportation director, use seating charts to assist with a safe, orderly, and calm bus ride for all students.

9.       Bus Citations for disrespect, defiance, inappropriate language, property damage, physical contact, not wearing seatbelts, throwing items, having a voice volume that is distracting or disruptive, or moving seats with out permission or while the bus is in motion, will receive verbal warnings and brought to the attention of the transportation director. If the behavior is persistent the bus driver will complete a Transportation Referral Form and the transportation director or transportation clerical will notify the parent via phone. The transportation department will send the referral home with one of the following consequences

▪  1st Citation: Warning and/or Assigned Seating; Parent must sign and return referral to the bus in order to return access transportation. 

▪  2nd Citation:        1 – 5 days removal from transportation privilege

▪  When citation or citations have accumulated 5 days of removal from transportation privilege:10 Days 

▪  Next Citation following a 10-day removal: will result in either removal from transportation for remainder of trimester or remainder of the year. 

If any of the following behavior issues occur on the bus, the transportation director will alert the site principal to consider further disciplinary actions for the school day: 

Bullying, harassment, theft, physical injury or aggression, possession of knife or dangerous object, vandalism, possession of tobacco product, possession/use/sale/furnished of controlled substance, alcohol, intoxicant. 

 ** Board Approved 12/08/2022