Reviewing CDTA bus expectations with students

This week, administrators and support staff at all City School District of Albany middle schools and high schools met with students to review transportation expectations for CDTA buses. They discussed the behavioral expectations for students and reminded them of the proper procedures that all students need to follow while riding CDTA buses to and from school.

The safety and welfare of students is our primary consideration in all matters. The district, CDTA and our school staff would like you to know that we are dedicated to providing the safest transportation possible. 

Riding a bus to and from school is a privilege. This privilege may be suspended, temporarily or permanently, if a student chooses, through misconduct, to jeopardize the safe operation of the bus and the safety of others riding the bus. Drivers must give their attention to driving; therefore, students riding the bus need to know and follow the rules at all times.

The students on the bus are under the immediate supervision of the bus driver and are subject to the rules and expectations set by the district and the Student Code of Conduct. We will document any infraction of these expectations on a Bus Conduct Report concerning the disciplinary infraction, with copies distributed to the principal and the parent or guardian. The report will become part of the student’s record.

Students also must be aware of and are responsible for following the CDTA Code of Conduct while riding CDTA buses. Students also may lose bus privileges for failing to observe CDTA’s rules and regulations.

The safety of bus passengers and drivers is the most important part of school transportation. In order to provide safety and effective use of buses, the following expectations are established to guide the conduct of students on CDTA buses. 

On the bus ...

As we do in all student behavior management matters, we will utilize progressive discipline, as guided by the district’s Student Code of Conduct under Section VI: Levels of Interventions and Responses.

A suspension from transportation may occur even if the student misconduct doesn’t rise to the level of a suspension from school. For a Code of Conduct level 3 or level 4 offense, a parent or guardian conference may be required before bus transportation may resume.

If this occurs, parents or guardians are to contact the school to schedule an appointment with administration for the meeting, which will include the student and, where applicable, the bus driver. Parents and guardians are always encouraged to call school administration and schedule an appointment anytime they have a concern regarding transportation. 

You can access the district’s Student Code of Conduct online or you can request a hard copy from your school. 

Additionally, if you or your student have a safety concern or see suspicious activity while riding a CDTA bus, please tell the bus operator immediately, report your concerns to your building principal or call CDTA’s Customer Information Center anonymously at (518) 482-8822.

Your attention to this important safety information will ensure that all students, drivers and commuters have the safest experience while riding the CDTA bus.