Transportation

It is Potterville Public Schools goal to provide safe, economical bus transportation to all eligible students living in the district. Michigan schools are required by law to follow the Michigan Pupil Transportation Handbook put out by the Michigan Department of Education as well as State and Federal guidelines on pupil transportation.

Bus transportation may be provided for those students who live outside the city limits of Potterville. Bus routes are planned to provide the maximum number of students at each pick-up point with a minimum number of "turn-arounds" and "back-tracking" for each bus. Secondary students (grades 7-12) may be asked to walk up to one (1) mile to the bus and elementary students (K-6) may be asked to walk up to one-half (1/2) mile. No more than 4 stops will be made in any one mile and no stops will be made at the foot of a hill or on a curve that obscures visibility. 

For information regarding transportation, please contact DEAN Transportation at (517) 541-2772.

Student Transportation Request Form

Transportation/Bus Conduct

Potterville Public Schools is committed to providing safe transportation for all students. Dean transportation provides all bussing for Potterville Public Schools. Expectations for bus conduct will align with Dean Transportation Policy. Dean Transportation may be contacted for transportation related questions at (517) 541-2772.

Students riding buses are expected to observe the following rules or lose the privilege of riding:

  • Follow driver directions.
  • Use polite and kind language.
  • No swearing or teasing.
  • Stay in assigned seats.
  • Keep head, hands, and all other objects inside the bus.
  • Keep the aisle clear of feet, hands, bags, musical instruments.
  • Use "inside" or "one-foot" voices.
  • Maintain quiet at railroad stops.
  • Remain seated while the bus is in motion.
  • Observe all other rules posted on the bus.
  • No recording or use of cell phone to make phone calls on the bus.
  • Once on the bus, you may not exit the bus until you arrive at your bus stop.

Penalties For Bus Infractions

A student who violates bus expectations may receive consequences based on Dean Transportation Behavior Policies. Each incident is reported to the Behavior Coach and is evaluated based on the Student Code of Conduct. Additional disciplinary measures may be administered up to and including the loss of privilege of riding on the bus.

Consequences for Poor Bus Behavior

  • Verbal Warning - Driver records the name and may assign seats.
  • Bus Conduct Report 1 - Driver may call parents/guardians.
  • Bus Conduct Report 2 - Conference with parents. 1-3 days suspension from riding the bus.
  • Bus Conduct Report 3 - Conference with parents. 3-5 days suspension from riding the bus.
  • Bus Conduct Report 4 - Conference with parents. 5-10 days suspension from riding the bus.
  • Bus Conduct Report 5 - A conference with the driver, parent, student, and administration will be held to determine further action. Suspension of bus riding privileges up to and including the remainder of the school year may result.

Progressive discipline may also be assigned by the school administration.

Severe Offenses

  • Fighting
  • Inappropriate touching
  • Criminal Sexual Conduct
  • Inappropriate and/or abusive language
  • Use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or vapes
  • Defiance
  • Interfering with safety
  • Vandalism to seat – with parent/student paying for replacement of seat

These are extreme cases and will be addressed with progressive discipline by the school administration along with bus transportation disciplinary action. In the case of severe behavioral offenses on a bus, the student will be suspended from the bus upon arrival at the final destination.

It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to: 

  • Ensure that their students arrive at the bus stop on time in the morning. 
  • Students should be at the stop 5 minutes early. 
  • Provide necessary protection of their students when going to and from the bus stop. 
  • Accept joint responsibility with their student and school authorities for proper conduct of their student. 
  • Make a reasonable effort to understand and cooperate with those responsible for pupil transportation. 
  • Make sure that their students are dressed properly for the weather while waiting for the bus.