Transportation FAQs

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Q1. Why must I give written permission for my student to get on or off at a stop that's different than the one closest to our home?

A1. The answer to this question is two-fold:

  1. Transportation's goal of transporting students to and from school safely is our primary function. Requiring written permission from the parent/guardian ensures the district that you, as the adult, are aware of the student's whereabouts. Also requiring students to board and disembark at a designed bus stop reduces the opportunity for missing or lost students.
  2. School districts are required to develop policies and procedures that follow all laws and administrative codes set forth by the State of Washington. Clover Park School District has established this policy to assist in assuring the location of your student(s).

Q2. Who should I contact concerning a bus stop?

A2. All bus stop concerns should be directed to the Transportation Department at 253.583.5494. Office hours are 6:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Q3: Who do I contact if my student has extenuating health circumstances and requires special service transportation?

A3: The Student Services Department at 253.583.5180 can assist in determining if your student meets the necessary criteria for special service transportation.

Q4: When do I have to stop for a bus that has their red lights flashing?

A4: You must stop for a bus that has their red lights flashing when...

  • you are on a two-lane roadway (one lane in each direction) or
  • you are on a multiple lane roadway (three or more lanes) and you are traveling in the same direction as the bus.

Q5: How early should my student be at the bus stop?

A5: Students should not arrive at the bus stop more than 5 minutes prior to the designated pickup time.

Q6: Can a student be suspended from bus service for not following the driver's directions?

A6: Students may be suspended from bus service depending on their level of progressive discipline or if their actions violate their safety or the safety, the safety of the other students on board, or the community.

Q7: For a student to be eligible to ride the school bus, what is the distance from the school to the home?

A7: Students are eligible to ride the bus if they reside more than one radius mile from their school of attendance or if hazards create unsafe walking conditions for a student that cannot be mitigated.

  • The mile is determined as the most direct route from the bus stop to the school of attendance.
  • Hazardous walking conditions are defined as walkways which meet criteria specified in rules adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Q8: Why do the school buses drive so slow with their flashing lights on in a school zone?

A8: The District enforces the following procedures for school buses in a school zone:

  1. SCHOOL ZONE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING - all traffic shall obey the speed limit of 20 MPH, no four-way emergency flashers are required.
  2. SCHOOL ZONE LIGHTS ARE NOT FLASHING - Clover Park School District buses shall proceed at 20 MPH. If the school bus is going 20 MPH and it is more than 10 MPH under the speed limit, the driver will activate the four-way emergency flashers at the school zone sign. When using the turn signals, the school bus driver will deactivate the four-way emergency flashers, use the turn signals, complete the action, then reactivate the four-way emergency flashers.
  3. SCHOOL ZONES MARKED WITHOUT LIGHTS - Clover Park School District buses shall proceed at 20 MPH. If the school bus is going 20 MPH and it is more than 10 MPH under the speed limit, the driver will activate the four-way emergency flashers at the school zone sign.