City and Hart School District Partner to Launch New Discipline Procedures

[view:node_ad=5]In an effort to ensure the safe and comfortable transportation of all students, the City of Santa Clarita and William S. Hart Union High School District have jointly produced a “Code of Conduct” pamphlet designed to explain bus rules and appropriate student-rider behavior.

The pamphlet familiarizes student-riders with the rules of public transportation, and it also outlines new discipline procedures the City Transit Division and Hart’s Transportation Department have set into place for the new school year.

“The Code of Conduct collaboration between the City and the Hart School District empowers bus drivers to maintain order and control on the bus at all times,” commented City Transit Manager Jeffery O'Keefe. “We want to set the tone that our public transportation services are safe and remind riders that using the bus is a privilege.”

New discipline procedures are in place for students who do not comply with the Bus Rules. Depending upon the severity of an offense, the normal disciplinary sequence will be: first offense – a verbal warning; second offense –  the student will need to complete a City Transportation Referral form with the student’s parent/guardian signature to board the bus the following day; third offense –  suspension from the bus for a minimum of three school days.
After the third offense, or in the case of a serious offense, a student may receive a long-term suspension or revocation of transportation privileges.

While student conduct/discipline on City buses is at the direction of the City, additional in-school consequences may be imposed at the discretion of the Hart High School District for any incident a student-rider is involved in at the bus stop or while on City buses.

“The Code of Conduct provides parents and students clear guidelines for what is expected from them as a student-rider on the buses,” said Richard Varner, Director of Transportation for Hart Union High School District. “The discipline procedures will improve behavior and ultimately reduce safety issues.”

Copies of the Code of Conduct and City transit schedules are available at City Hall and at each school, in addition to online at santa-clarita.com and hartdistrict.org