The mission of Central Kitsap Transportation Department is to provide safe
and efficient student transportation in a caring, nurturing atmosphere.
Central Kitsap School District's new Online, Interactive, Bus Stop, and Route information program is now available.
Please click on the above "Bus Schedules" tab for directions.
CKSD Transportation Facts
Central Kitsap School District transports approximately 6,000 students to and from school every day. We have
100 drivers, including substitute drivers
who operate routes from 5:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition to the regular school routes, the Transportation department and its
dedicated drivers, perform around 3,500 extra-curricular and co-curricular trips each year. We travel a remarkable
1.3 million miles each year requiring about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel each day. Our 95 buses are maintained by a team of five skilled mechanics and all buses meet or exceed 2008 EPA clean air standards for emissions.
When is transportation for my child provided by the district?
The district provides transportation to and from school for all students who live one mile or more from their assigned school. The one-mile limit is determined by traveling as the crow flies.
If a dangerous situation exists along the route to school and the student lives within the one-mile limit, parents should contact Transportation at 662-8800 to speak with the router.
What training do bus operators have to complete prior to transporting my child?
Prior to transporting students, each driver shall meet the following requirements:
Hold a valid Commercial Drivers License, Class B, with passenger
and school bus endorsement and maintain eligibility , pass a physical and dexterity test at least once every year, regulated by the Department of Education and the Department of Transportation.
Undergo an evaluation of his/her driving for the past 10 years. Motor Vehicle Abstracts are obtained from Washington State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Satisfactorily complete drug/alcohol testing as required by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Transportation.
Pass a physical test at least once every 2 years, regulated by the Department of Education and the Department of Transportation.
Successfully complete a minimum of 40 hours of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training, including but not limited to defensive driving, loading and unloading of students, driving skills course, emergency
procedures, and basic first aid.
Successfully complete a minimum of eight hours of in-service training every 12 months.
Bus Schedules
Please
use our online bus schedule, E-Link, to find your student's bus route.
If E-Link displays no bus
route information it may be due to a special routing condition.
Please note that addresses must be entered in full
(e.g., NE or SW).
Please call the Transportation
Department at 662-8800 if you need help finding your student's bus route.
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Use the following information to log in
after clicking on the link below:
User Name: guest
Password: guest
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Click Here to Enter E-Link |
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please discuss these bus passenger rules and procedures with your
child. Your child should appreciate the important part he/she plays
in accomplishing SAFE and EFFICIENT district transportation.
Your child should understand that riding a school
bus is a privilege conditioned on appropriate, safe, respectful
behavior. Unruly conduct on the bus is a very real risk to the safe
operation of a school bus.
Your cooperation in communicating this very important
message would be most appreciated.
Greg Lynch, Superintendent
Bus Service Eligibility:
Bus service is provided for elementary age students (grades K-6)
residing one mile or more from school. Junior high (grades 7-9) and high
school students (grades 10-12) are required to walk up to one radius
mile. Exceptions
are made only when safety concerns are identified by the transportation
office.
In order to change their normal bus and/or stop, students
must obtain a pass from the school office.
Enroute to Bus Stop:
Parents/guardians are encouraged to review their
child's walking route to the bus stop, advising about safety concerns.
Be Prompt:
Bus passengers should arrive at the bus stop no sooner or later
than five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Buses will
promptly depart all schools, seven minutes after dismissal times.
For safety, once bus doors are closed, drivers will not stop for
late arriving students.
At the Bus Stop:
While waiting at the bus stop, students are expected
to stand a safe distance from the street and avoid activities that
could injure themselves or others. Students are expected to respect
others' property. When the bus approaches, students must observe the
instructions of the driver. This is particularly important in the
winter when slick road conditions exist.
Driver Authority:
The driver has full authority over the passengers on the bus.
Seating assignments may be necessary to assure passenger safety.
If inappropriate behavior is demonstrated by a student, the parent
will be contacted to assist the student to modify the behavior of
concern.
Boarding/Departing
Bus:
It may be necessary to cross the road to board the bus. Students
are expected to observe the driver's instructions and always cross
in front of the bus with the aid of the flashing stop sign lights
and crossing arm.
Passenger Conduct:
Safe, respectful conduct is expected of all passengers
to insure safety:
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Obey the driver's instructions when first requested.
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Remain seated.
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Respect others and their property.
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Keep your hands to yourself.
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Keep noise level down.
Serious or persistent violations offensive to, or
endangering the safety of others will result in progressive discipline.
The age and experience of the student will help determine how many
progressive steps are appropriate. Certain activities may result
in immediate suspension from bus riding privileges. These include
but are not limited to:
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fighting on the bus
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throwing objects in or out of the bus
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possession of dangerous weapons or articles
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destroying or defacing district or private property
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use of sparking devices
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smoking, or use/possession of drugs, alcohol or
any form of tobacco
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obscene gestures or profanity directed at the bus
driver or others
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any part of the body extended outside of the bus
-
assault on a bus driver will result in indefinite
suspension and possible criminal charges
-
pointing a laser pointer at a bus driver will result
in suspension from the bus and possible criminal charges
Accidents/Breakdowns:
Bus drivers are thoroughly trained in defensive driving
techniques and buses are carefully maintained. Yet, given the thousands
of miles traveled annually, and the traffic conditions in our area,
accidents and breakdowns can happen. All the buses have two-way
radios and help can be just minutes away. One of the most important
things to a bus driver in the event of an accident or breakdown
is passenger cooperation.
Snow Days:
Detailed emergency snow route information is distributed
at the school. Local radio and TV stations will provide up-to-date
information each morning when the roads are slick and snowy. Ask
driver in advance if your route could be effected and how.
Items Not Allowed
on the Bus:
For reasons of safety and health and in order to comply
with state law and district policies, the following items are not
allowed on a school bus:
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Glass objects; bottles, jars, etc.
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Open containers of food, drink, gum
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Inflated balloons
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Live animals (except service dogs)
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Oversized objects and instruments; those that cannot
fit safely in the seat with the student
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Weapons; guns, knives, razor blades, etc. (real
or toy)
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Sports equipment which could endanger others; like
javelins, pole vaults or shot puts
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Skate boards unless secured in or on a backpack
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Any item which cannot be transported easily or
which creates a safety concern
Please arrange for alternative transportation if any
of the above need to go to or from school.
Student Discipline:
The District has adopted a progressive discipline
policy which emphasizes logical consequences for inappropriate behavior.
The written tool for this is the "Bus Conduct Notice". If warranted,
your child will be issued a written notice for you to review and
sign. It is required that the middle school and high school student
have a signed Bus Conduct Notice in order to board the bus the day following
receipt of the notice. If a notice is issued, the Transportation
Supervisor may attempt to call you to confirm and to answer any questions
you may have. You may be asked to accompany your student for a conference
with the driver, the Transportation Supervisor, and the Building
Administrator.
Cameras with microphones are mounted in district buses.
Student behavior may be monitored or observed from the video/audio
recording.
Parents are encouraged to contact the supervisor any
time they have concerns. If appropriate, a conference with other
parties including the student and the driver may be arranged.
The District reserves the right to suspend transportation
privileges for any student who demonstrates behavior unreasonably
distracting to the driver which may contribute to unsafe operation.
Complete disciplinary procedures are distributed annually
and are available at each school or the Transportation Office.
Disciplinary
Procedures:
When, in the opinion of the driver, a serious rule violation
occurs, or when the driver's efforts to deal with less severe violations
are unsuccessful, or a pattern seems to have developed, a school
bus incident report will be initiated. The intent is to maintain
good order and a safe environment for students riding buses to and
from school or school sponsored activities, as well as to notify
parents of the misconduct of their children. The following are standard
actions that will generally be applied uniformly in response to
documented incidents.
Grades 7 - 12:
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1st Offense: Student counseled and warned by driver.
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2nd Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for two
days. (If within 45 days)
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3rd Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for five
days. (If within 45 days)
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4th Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for ten
days or more, depending upon the nature or the offense. (If within
45 days)
The Transportation Supervisor will determine the extent of the suspension,
based on the circumstances and after notifying the building
administrator.
Grades K - 6
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1st / 2nd Offense: Student counseled and warned
by driver.
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3rd Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for three
days. (If within 45 days)
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4th Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for five
days. (If within 45 days)
-
5th Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for ten
days or more, depending upon nature of the offense. (If within
45 days)
The Transportation Supervisor will determine the extent of the suspension,
based on the circumstances and after notifying the building
administrator.
Note:
Serious offenses, such as fighting, flagrant displays of
disrespect
toward a driver, or possession of drugs or alcohol will result in
immediate loss of bus privileges for a minimum of five (5) school
days. Assault on a bus driver will result in indefinite suspension
of bus riding privileges and possible criminal charges.
If a violation occurs more than 45 calendar days after
a previous violation, the disciplinary action will be the same as
for the previous offense. There may be some exceptions to these
disciplinary actions in extraordinary circumstances, as determined
by the Transportation Supervisor and the appropriate school Principal.
If a student is suspended for misconduct on any bus, the suspension
will apply to all buses.
In all serious, recurring offenses, or offenses involving
suspension, the Transportation Director or
Supervisor will contact the building administrator.
Kindergarten Transportation
Welcome to your new kindergarten student!
Kindergarten can be a new experience for a 5 or 6 year old. We hope this information will help answer
some of your questions before the first day of school.
Will my student have a bus ride to/from school?
Transportation is available to students who live more than one mile from school. Students living outside
one mile will receive bus schedule information in August via US
Mail.
How do I contact Transportation?
You can contact us at 360-662-8800
from 6:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. If you’re interested in seeing
the inside of a bus, please call Transportation for a date and time.
If my child does ride a bus,
what are some things I need to know?
We ask your child be at the bus stop
5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus pick-up time. We ask they wait
6-10 feet back from the road. If they cross the street, wait on
the side of the road (6-10 feet back) and wait for the driver to
signal your student across.
We ask you put first and last names and
phone numbers on or in their backpacks. This assists us in contacting
you if needed.
Parents are required to be at the bus stop when their
Kindergartener is being picked up for or returned from school.
During the first few weeks of school,
you should plan on buses running off schedule due to time adjustments,
traffic, and student loads.
What other information might
I need?
Schools have information regarding which
daycares are within their attendance area. They can tell you as
well if transportation is available to/from a certain daycare.
Your bus driver can not change or add
stops.
All changes or additional stops require
research by the CKSD Transportation Department.
Students are assigned to one bus stop.
Students need written permission to get off at a bus stop other
than their assigned location.
Transportation Special Needs Guidelines
Special Education students assigned to a school in their attendance area
will be provided transportation in accordance with the provisions outlined in
the Parent
Handbook [Rules Tab].
Students requiring special transportation consideration
must be approved and set up by Special Services. Special
Services will advise the Transportation Department of
the specific requirements.
Transportation, when set up by Special Services, is curb
to curb whenever possible. In some instances, students
may be required to walk a short distance to a stop
location. Some students requiring special
transportation may be picked up and dropped at home.
This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The determination is based on whether the student has a
physical disability which prevents them from walking to
a corner safely.
Wheelchair students:
All wheelchairs must have a seat belt for the
occupant, working brakes, and properly inflated tires.
Unoccupied wheelchairs will not be transported.
All wheelchairs must be inspected by Transportation
personnel prior to beginning transportation services.
Carseats:
Carseats appearing on the national recall roster will
not be eligible for transportation services.
All carseats must be inspected by Transportation
personnel prior to beginning transportation services.
Expectations of students & parents:
All students are to be ready 5 minutes prior to the
scheduled pick-up time.
Parents are expected to be available at the stop 5
minutes prior to the scheduled drop time. When an adult
is not available to receive the student, the student
will be returned to school.
Transportation Employment Opportunities
Become a Bus Driver - Apply Today!
Mission - Institutions that exceed the expectations of those observing
it are regarded as five-star. The participation of the community, parents,
administrators, and transportation personnel, along with five-star performance,
help guarantee the success and foster the development of our students.
Transportation employees contribute to the academic success of Central Kitsap
School District students through daily contact as mentors, counselors,
observers, and at times, confidants. Despite the challenges of change, we must
remain focused for the students and their families.
One word describes how we accomplish our mission: SAFETY
Bus Drivers Needed
Flexible hours - perfect job for:
-
Retirees
-
College Students
-
People looking for
extra income
-
Being home when the children are off for holidays and school vacations
Automatic transmissions
New Equipment
Work mornings, afternoons or all day
Must be 21 years of age
Pre-employment drug test required
Valid Washington driver's license
Good Driving record within last 5 years
Interested? - Visit our
Human
Resource Web Site for an Application.
We are currently looking for the following:
Frequently Asked Questions and Responses Related to School Bus
Transportation
The bus did not show up on time for my child. How
long should he/she wait at the stop?
Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes
before the arrival time of the bus. If there is a
substitute driver, the times may not be consistent with the
regular time period. Wait 10 minutes after the scheduled
pick-up then contact Transportation at 662-8800. *Remember
to note the 4 and 5 year-old children.
What should be done if there is a transportation-related problem
after office hours?
If there is a problem after regular office hours, call District
Security at 981-3081, beeper 307-2466. School Security is on
duty 24 hours - 7 days a week. School Security will contact
the Transportation Supervisor to handle any type of school bus
issue(s).
My child's bus is overcrowded. Can some children be placed
on another bus?
Call the Transportation Supervisor at 662-8800 to investigate.
If the bus has three elementary students or two middle or high
school students in each seat, it will seem crowded. However,
it will not be over capacity. Our goal is to fully utilize all
the space on all the buses in our fleet.
I see buses all the time with only a few children on them.
What are they doing?
Central Kitsap School District school buses make two to four runs to a school each day.
We transport 6,000 students each day. When transporting special needs students, it is sometimes
impossible to utilize the capacity of the bus.
Boundaries also impact the number of children eligible to ride as a result of school system enrollment.
We live very far from the school and there is not a bus stop for my child. How do I arrange transportation?
Central Kitsap School District regulations provide transportation
for students living in excess of one mile from the school.
Student's address will need to be verified with the Transportation
Department. If there is a discrepancy, the caller must call
the school to make an address change.
I drove it in my car, and we live more than one mile from the school.
Notify Transportation to talk with the Transportation Supervisor.
The walking route is not safe. To whom do I direct my concern?
If you believe an unsafe situation exists, address your concern to the Transportation Supervisor at 662-8800
I cannot see my child's bus stop from my house. How can I get the bus stop moved closer?
Bus stops are placed in safe and efficient locations. The Transportation Supervisor will determine the appropriate action to accommodate the majority of the students to minimize the time and length of the run.
If you have concerns about your child's safety, you are encouraged to accompany your child to the bus stop or arrange a
neighborhood buddy to walk with your child.
We live within the walking boundary, but very close to a bus
stop for my child's school. May my child ride the bus from the stop?
We do not permit a child to ride a school bus if you are within the walking area.
Is approval of transportation for a walking student permanent?
Approval is granted for the current year and must be resubmitted each year.
My child goes to a daycare provider in an area with bus service. May my child ride the bus?
If the day-care provider is in the boundary for that school, bus service may be provided. The parent must provide to the school the daycare center's
address.
My child is a special education student. Whom do I direct my concern about his/her transportation?
If it is an address change, please call Transportation. Parents with students
requiring lift buses should contact the Special Services Office (662-1040) for assistance.
My child left an item (coat, glasses, instrument, retainer, books, etc.) on the bus. How does he/she get it back?
Drivers and substitute drivers check their buses after each run. Contact Transportation. Items left will be kept on the bus for a reasonable time and then turned in to the school if not claimed.
You may help by labeling all of your child's belongings with the child's name and school.
Why are school bus seats spaced so closely together?
Seats were re-designed to specific spacing, with full padding
front and back, and increased back height for maximum impact
protection. The newer designed seats provide a padded
cavity for passenger compartmentalization. Crash tests
prove this to be the most effective protection on impact.
Why are seat belts not required on school buses?
Seat belts are not required on school buses because research by
the Department of Transportation has determined that
compartmentalization was a better solution.
Compartmentalization is more manageable, works well for one, two
or three students per seat, and is most affordable.
Do state regulations for school buses supersede federal requirements?
State laws do not supersede federal requirements. If
states add requirements for safety, they are additional to the
federal requirements.
Why are buses sometimes late?
School bus drivers can have the same reasons for being late as
any commuter, i.e. traffic delays, weather conditions, accidents
or driver's illness resulting in substitute drivers. It
also includes: mechanical break-downs, and red light
malfunctions. Additionally, when a bus is late, it will
continue off schedule whether it is on its first or fourth run.
Why are buses not always available for field trips?
The first priority is to provide transportation to and from
school. The fleet does not contain a separate set of
buses designated for field trips.
Why do high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools start at different times?
In order to maximize the use of our school bus fleet and
provide an efficient operation with as few buses as possible,
schools are placed on three district time schedules (elementary,
middle and high).
How can the number of students transported increase more than the total number of students enrolled?
Nearly 64% of the total number of student enrollment is bused
to and from school, and the most common reasons are students
being reassigned to schools, moving residence, or to assigned
schools other than the base neighborhood school.
Why are spare replacement buses needed?
Buses operate throughout the day with one-way trips, shuttles,
community-based exercises, and field trips, as well as to the
normal to and from school transportation requirements. In
order to have the required number of operational buses each day
a group of back-up or spare buses must be retained in case of
mechanical failure or accidents.
What is the definition of a school bus?
A school bus is a vehicle that is sold or introduced for
interstate commission for the purpose to include carrying
students to and from school or related events. It does not
include a bus designed and sold for operations as a common
carrier in urban transportation.
How can my child get picked up or dropped off at a daycare provider's location?
The daycare address has to be within the attendance area of the
school, and outside of the walking area for that school.
The parent must provide the school with the daycare provider's
address.
How can I arrange to have my child ride a different bus home from school for one day?
The child's parent or guardian must send a written request to
the school principal. If approved, the principal will
provide authorization to the driver.
Why is there not an attendant on every bus?
Attendants are used for Special Needs students. It would
be cost prohibitive to provide an attendant for every bus.
What if the bus is overcrowded?
Contact your school's principal with your concern. The
principal will contact the Transportation Supervisor.
