All persons riding in school district vehicles will adhere to the following rules.  The driver, sponsor or chaperones are to follow the school bus discipline procedure for student violations of this policy.  Recording devices may be in operation on the school buses.

 1.    Bus riders will be at the designated loading point before the bus arrival time.

 2.    Bus riders will wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to enter.

 3.    Riders must not extend arms or heads out of the windows at any time.

 4.    Aisles must be kept cleared at all times.

 5.    All bus riders will load and unload through the right front door.  The emergency door is for emergencies only.

 6.    A bus rider will depart from the bus at the designated point unless written permission to get off at a different location is given to the driver.

 7.    A rider may be assigned a seat by the driver.

 8.    Riders who damage seats or other equipment will reimburse the district for the cost of the repair or replacement.

 9.    Riders are not permitted to leave their seats while the vehicle is in motion.

10.   Waste containers are provided on all buses for bus riders' use.

11.   Permission to open windows must be obtained from the driver.

12.   Classroom conduct is to be observed by students while riding the bus except for ordinary conversation.

13.   The driver is in charge of the students and the vehicle, and the driver is to be obeyed promptly and cheerfully.

14.   Students will assist in looking after the safety and comfort of younger students.

15.   A bus rider who must cross the roadway to board or depart from the bus will pass in front of the bus (no closer than 10 feet), look in both directions and proceed to cross the road or highway only on signal from the driver.

16.   Students will not throw objects about the vehicle nor out through the windows.

17.   Shooting paper wads, squirt guns or other material in the vehicle is not permitted.

18.   Students will keep feet off the seats.

19.   Roughhousing in the vehicle is prohibited.

20.   Students will refrain from crowding or pushing.

21.   The use or possession of alcohol, tobacco or look-alike substances is prohibited in the vehicle.

22.   The Good Conduct Rule is in effect.

 

The board supports the use of recording devices on school buses as a means to monitor and maintain a safe environment for students and employees.  The recording devices may be used on buses used for transportation to and from school, field trips, curricular events and extracurricular events.  The contents of the recordings may be used as evidence in a student disciplinary proceeding.

 

Student Records

The content of the recordings is a student record subject to board policy and administrative regulations regarding confidential student records.  Only those persons with a legitimate educational purpose may view the recordings.  In most instances, those individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the superintendent, building principal, transportation director, bus driver and special education staffing team. A parent may view the recordings without consent from any student or parent of a minor student also shown in the recording if the other students are bystanders.  But if there is an altercation between multiple students, then all parent s must give consent in order for the recordings to be viewed by parents. 

A recording during a school-sponsored trip, such as an athletic event, may also be accessible to the sponsor or coach of the activity.  If the content of the recording becomes the subject of a student disciplinary proceeding, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.

 

Notice

The school district will annually provide the following notice to students and parents:

The Maquoketa Valley Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of recording devices on school district buses.  The recording devices will be used to monitor student behavior to maintain order on the school buses to promote and maintain a safe environment.  Students and parents are hereby notified that the content of the recording may be used in a student disciplinary proceeding.  The content of the recording are confidential student records and will be retained with other student records.  Recordings will only be retained if necessary for use in a student disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration.  Parents may request to view the recording of their child if the recordings are used in a disciplinary proceeding involving their child.

The following notice will also be placed on all school buses equipped with recording devices:

This bus is equipped with a recording /audio monitoring system.

 

Review of Recording Devices

The school district will review the recordings (choose one of the following):

         When necessary as a result of an incident reported by a bus driver or student.  The recordings may be re-circulated for erasure after 7 days.

Viewing of the recordings is limited to the individuals having a legitimate educational purpose.  A written log will be kept of those individuals viewing the recordings stating the time, name of individual viewing and the date the recordings was viewed.

 

Recording Monitoring System

Recording devices will be (choose one of the following):

         Used on only a select number of school district buses.

Determination of how recording devices will be used and which school buses will be equipped with recording equipment will be made by the superintendent in consultation with the building principals and transportation director.

 

Student Conduct

Students are prohibited from tampering with the recording devices on the school buses.  Students found in violation of this regulation will be disciplined in accordance with the school district discipline policy and Good Conduct Rule and will reimburse the school district for any repairs or replacement necessary as a result of the tampering.