In the event of a lapse in appropriations after September 30, 2023 leading to a “government shutdown”, DoDEA schools will remain open for normal operations, except for sports (including practices) and extracurricular activities which will pause during a shutdown.
The mission of the DoDEA Student Transportation Program is to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation for students to and from school and school related activities, and to support instructional programs by delivering students safely, on time, and with a mind set for learning.
School bus transportation is an important facet of the educational experience. The school bus is the first and last thing many of our students experience and it shapes how their day begins and ends. The following information will help your student get the most of out of their school bus experience.
Our agency is dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of all students attending DoDEA Schools. The school districts are committed in providing their community schools will safe and efficient transportation for students to and from school and school related activities. Assistance will be given in the areas of driver training, funding, equipment specifications and purchases, interpretation of laws and regulations, and routing.
We are committed to provide professional services to ensure the quality of service expected by the military services. Every effort will be made to keep our services in the forefront of the quality, safety and efficiency expected.
School bus transportation is an important facet of the educational experience. The school bus is the first and last thing many of our students experience and it shapes how their day begins and ends. The following information will help your student get the most of out of their school bus experience.
Implements DoDEA policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures regarding transportation of students during their daily commute to and from school, walking distances, curricular and co-curricular transportation and among other topics, the safety and security of transporting students and faculty.
Complying with the behavior standards for school bus students and with the general behavior standards. Obeying the instructions of bus drivers, DoDEA personnel, and military officials. Attending and completing school bus safety training sessions when offered by the school community.
The walking distance for Elementary School students will not normally exceed 1 mile from their primary residence to the school or designated bus stop. Middle and High School students may walk up to 1.5 miles from their primary residence to the school or designated bus stop. These distances may be slightly expanded or contracted to conform to natural boundaries such as housing areas or neighborhoods.
Note: See military installation “Child Supervisory Guidelines” for guidance and standards for what ages can walk to or from school unattended
The school commuting area is defined as a specific geographic area used to determine eligibility for transportation of dependent students to a DoDEA school. Each school will have its own defined commuting area. School bus services will be provided to all authorized students residing outside the walking distance and within the designated commuting area. The commuting area will be based on the availability of housing within the proximity of the school and will not normally exceed 1 hour in commute time.
Students are assigned to buses and bus stops. No change in either bus or stop is permitted without the Transportation Director's approval. Failure to ride the assigned bus to/from the assigned bus stop may jeopardize the safety of students and may result in disciplinary action
A written request from a parent/guardian is required for a student to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop. The request must include student name, parent/guardian name, and telephone number of parent/guardian. Any request that cannot be verified will be denied. All requests must be signed by a school or transportation official. If a student does not have a Bus Pass/Request, he/she cannot ride home on a different bus or get off at a different stop. Students will not be dropped off at other than approved bus stops.
Daily round trip transportation may be provided to students residing outside the commuting area but are transported at their own expense to an existing school bus stop within the commuting area during emergency or displacement situations.
A transportation service for students with disabilities may be authorized to designated public or private schools in the event the DoD schools are unable to meet the curriculum as described in the student’s IEP.
School-sponsored activities designed to provide students the opportunity to participate on an individual or group basis in public events in other than the school environment for enjoyment, motivation, and improvement of skills.
Riding school buses is a privilege that may be suspended or revoked if a student does not behave in a safe and proper manner in accordance with DoDEA behavior expectations, which is in accordance with Section 7 of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1347.01, “Student Disciplinary Rules and Procedures,” April 7, 2021.
DoDEA Student School Bus Behavior Management Policy (Enclosure 8 of DoDEA Regulation 2051.1 )
Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right or entitlement, and safety is paramount. Even one child's misbehavior can interfere with safe operation of the bus and endanger everyone on board, disciplinary action on reported infractions may be taken, to include temporary suspension or permanent revocation from riding the bus.
If your child leaves something on the bus please call your local Student Transportation Office (STO). All buses are checked for items left by the students after each trip. Items not claimed in a reasonable amount of time will be appropriately disposed.
Please go to your local STO to replace a lost school bus pass.
Transportation changes need to be submitted to District Transportation Representatives and Community Transportation Offices.
Transportation normally will be provided to or from centrally located bus stops in the commuting area. However, when requested by the sponsor, parent, or guardian, transportation may be provided to and from an alternate care provider such as a child development center located within the commuting area and outside of the walking area of your child’s school. Any changes to transportation arrangements will be on a space-available basis and transportation services may be terminated at any time due to seating availability. Changes in transportation service will be held to a minimum and will not be authorized on a day-by-day basis.
Bus transportation is provided for Fort Knox Schools by a Service Provider.
Transportation for special education students will be provided in accordance with the law. Transportation for a student with a disability will be provided if the CSC team determines that such transportation is necessary as a related service due to the student's disability.
