Eligibility and Bus Fees
Transportation is provided free of charge to students who live two miles or more from his/her zoned campus as measured by the nearest commonly traveled public road. Transportation is available for a fee to students who live within two miles of their zoned campus. The fee schedule is show below.
$43.00 per month for 1 child in the household
$55.00 per month for 2 children in the household
$65.00 per month for 3 or more children in the household
Fees are waived for students qualifying for free and reduced lunches.
Bus fees may be sent to your child’s teacher with his/her name on the check, mailed to the address on the front of this form, or paid in person at the transportation department. Be sure to write your child’s name on the check for proper credit.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

• Read and understand this form. Have your child return the registration form portion to their bus driver immediately.
• Ensure that your child is aware of, cooperates in, and obeys the safety rules on this form, as well as bus driver instructions.
• Ensure that your child rides the appropriate bus.
• Ensure that your child demonstrates safe and appropriate behavior at the bus stop.
• Ensure that you (or an adult, aged 18 or older, with written permission granted) are at the bus stop to receive your Pre-K or Kindergarten child. Pre-K or Kindergarten children may get off the bus with an older sibling (1st grade or older) who rides the same bus.
• If a student needs to ride a different bus or get off the bus at a different stop (emergency situations only), you must provide a written notification to the transportation department in person or by fax so that the driver can be notified.

Bus Route Information

• All bus routes are designed to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible while still meeting the students’ needs.
• When a route change is necessary that will effect pick-up/drop-off times and/or bus number, notification will be made in the form of notes handed out to the students two afternoons prior to the effective date of the change.
• If students are not present at a bus stop for three continuous weeks, the bus stop will be discontinued without notice to the parents. Parents must contact the Transportation Department to resume service to that bus stop.
• Where possible, stops are located such that students should walk no more than .5 mile to the nearest bus stop.
• The school district staff and bus drivers share your concern about the safety of your child. You can assist in providing a safe bus ride by reviewing the following items with your child.

Meeting the Bus

• Students must be on time and visible at the bus stop. It is recommended that students be at their bus stop five minutes before pick-up time. Once a bus departs a stop or school, it will not stop for late students.
• Students must not stand on the traveled portion of the roadway while waiting for the bus.
• Students must not approach a moving bus until it stops. Once the bus has stopped, the student may walk toward the bus to board.
• Students must enter the bus carefully in an orderly manner as instructed.
• Once on the bus, students must go directly to their seat and be seated properly so the bus may continue the route..

Departing the Bus

• When getting off of the bus, students should move quickly but safely away from the unloading area.
• The emergency door at the rear of the bus is to be used in emergency situations only. It is not to be used for boarding or departing the bus.
• Students are allowed to board and depart the bus at designated stops ONLY!

Gated Communities, Private Property, and Construction

• Pearland ISD buses are not permitted to operate on private property. Gated communities and apartment complexes are considered private property.
• Neighborhoods that are under construction pose a safety hazard for large vehicles like school buses. Therefore, Pearland ISD buses do not route through areas where heavy construction is present.

Who is responsible for discipline on the bus?
The driver is responsible for the safety and discipline on the school bus. Misconduct and safety violations by students are reported to the Transportation Student Manager, who assumes the responsibility for taking proper action. Students who do not behave properly may lose the privilege of riding the bus. The district has the right to deny transportation to those students whose behavior jeopardizes the safety of others.

Is live audio and video surveillance in progress?
Drivers and passengers are subject to audio and video monitoring in accordance with Texas Education Code section 26.009(b)(1). Videotapes may be viewed by employees of Pearland ISD if necessary to perform their job duties in the best interest of the students. Parents are not permitted to view the tapes as it would infringe on the privacy of the other students on the bus as protected under the Family Education Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA). Videotapes will be strictly controlled by the Transportation Department to ensure confidentiality.

What if I have a question?
The transportation department will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding pupil transportation. Questions regarding student discipline should be directed to the student’s school first. The transportation department may be reached at (281) 485-3562. Office hours on school days are 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On in-service days, office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

What happens to bus service during bad weather?
If school is in session, the buses will run. The decision to cancel school or to dismiss school early will be made by the superintendent. Local radio and television stations will be advised to announce instructions before classes start. In case of local flooding or hazardous weather conditions, students will not be dismissed from school unless the transportation director determines that it is safe for children to travel to their homes. In the event of flooding conditions, the buses will travel as close to the normal bus stops as possible without jeopardizing the safety of the vehicle and passengers. It is advised that parents be aware of flooding conditions and make arrangements to meet their children at the bus stop when possible. Any students that are unable to be safely delivered home will be returned to the school for the parent to pick up. When there are rain showers or cold temperatures, the students are still expected to be at their bus stop.

What happens when items are left on the bus?
Articles that are left on the bus will remain on the bus for the student to retrieve the next time the student rides the bus. Lunches that are found in the morning will be sent to the school as soon as possible. If a parent wishes to pick up an item at our office, they may do so during normal office hours listed above. The transportation department does not maintain a “Lost and Found”.