For any transportation questions or issues, please contact Helen Marganti at hmarganti@agawamed.org.
Important Note: After 4:00 PM, contact the LPVEC bus company at 789-3291.
The major purpose of school transportation services is to aid students in getting to and from school in an efficient, safe, and economical manner.
The school system may contract for transportation services. Contracts shall be awarded on a competitive bid basis and shall be awarded by the School Committee. Contractors are responsible for the safe operation of all vehicles and shall comply with all applicable state laws and regulations.
The School Business Administrator working in conjunction with the bus contractor, City Safety Officer, Superintendent of Schools, and the building principals, will be responsible for establishing bus schedules, routes, stops, and all other matters relative to the transportation program.
The School Business Administrator shall assure that all student transportation services are furnished in accordance with the law.
Note Regarding School Bus Routes
The Agawam Public Schools’ bus company implemented a transportation management solution called Versatran in Fall 2014. This system will equip our buses with sophisticated software and devices for tracking data to improve and streamline the servicing of students who ride our buses to school.
Reporting Misconduct & Disciplinary Procedures
1. Forms will be issued to each school bus driver. The forms will be provided by the school department to the school bus contractor.
2. When serious misbehavior occurs, the driver will complete the form in triplicate. It will then be turned in to the contractor or his/her representative who will review it and obtain any additional information required.
3. The contractor will send the form to the proper principal.
4. The principal or assistant principal will interview the child and complete the form and notify parents, if necessary.
5. The form will then be returned to the contractor for distribution to the driver.
6. The school messenger will be utilized to expedite the flow of forms. He/she will make a regular stop to pick up and return forms.
7. In cases of urgency or extreme behavioral problems and at the request of the contractor, the child may be suspended from riding privileges prior to a complete investigation. Such action may be accomplished by the principal or the Assistant Superintendent for Business/Human Resources who retain one copy.
8. All three copies of the form shall be forwarded to the principal. He/she shall return one copy to the contractor, send one copy to the Assistant Superintendent for Business/Human Resources, and retain one copy.
Recognizing that speed is necessary to this process, all forms turned in one day will be completed by the principal no later than the next day. The contractor will be notified immediately when a child’s riding privilege is withdrawn.
Safety To & From School
The safety of children going to and from school is the joint responsibility of the school and the parents. Children are instructed in safety procedures by their principal and teachers, and parents should reinforce that instruction at home. The principal will tell students the safest walking route to school and the safest route to the school bus stop, and parents should be sure that their children know and follow these routes. The shortest route may not be the safest route. Children should be told to stop at the curb and look both ways for oncoming traffic before crossing the street. They should stay between the lines marking crosswalks and observe the signals of the crossing guards and traffic lights. Parents should be sure that their children leave home for school at times when crossing guards are stationed at intersections. Parents who pick up students in cars should not park in restricted zones. Students who travel by school bus should take directions from the bus driver/monitor while on the bus and when boarding or leaving the bus. They should take their seats promptly and remain seated. Students should never lean out bus windows or stick their arms out of the windows. Smoking, lighting matches and the use of drugs or alcohol are strictly prohibited on school buses.
The safety and welfare of student riders will be the first consideration in all matters pertaining to transportation. Safety precautions will include the following:
1. Children will be instructed as to the proper procedure for boarding and exiting from a school bus and in proper and safe conduct while aboard.
2. Emergency evacuation drills will be conducted at least twice a year to acquaint student riders with procedures in emergency situations.
3. All vehicles used to transport children will be inspected periodically for conformance with state and federal safety requirements.
4. Classroom instruction on school bus safety will be provided.
5. Written summary reports of accidents from the administration will be forwarded to all School Committee members within a reasonable period of time.
6. Remain in your seat while the bus is moving. Students are not to change seats while the bus is in motion. Conditions may require specific seating arrangements. These arrangements are to be made by the driver and/or the principal only.
7. Leave and enter the bus only at the front entrance door except in the case of emergency. Emergency exit drills will be conducted during the school year to acquaint children with the methods of exit in emergencies.
8. Shouting or excessive loud talking is prohibited.
9. Undesirable remarks that stir up adverse behavior directed to the driver or other students are not allowed.
10. Horseplay is not permitted. Students are not to yell, motion or discharge any objects that will distract or prove offensive to the driver or other motorists and/or pedestrians.
11. EATING (including beverages) and SMOKING are NOT PERMITTED on school buses.
12. Packages other than school materials will not be transported at any time.
13. Students are to remain seated at discharge points until the school bus has come to a complete stop. Leave quickly and orderly, one at a time.
14. Students must follow instructions given by the bus driver.
15. Damage to busses will not be tolerated. Students are responsible for damage to their seat and area during their trip. Any damage should be reported immediately to the driver.
16. Students entitled to transportation may ride only the bus assigned to and from school.
17. The Agawam School Committee reserves the right to refuse to transport any student who fails to observe rules and regulations or exhibits unacceptable conduct.
School ID Cards on Buses Grades 7-8
Students in grades 7 – 8 are required to have identification cards issued by the school department in order to ride school buses. These cards must be shown to the driver upon entering the bus. If the driver so requests, the cards must be surrendered by the student. Such a request will be made only if a disciplinary problem exists. The card will be returned to the student through the principal's office when the student is again entitled to ride. If the driver turns in a card in the afternoon, the student will be allowed to ride to school the next morning pending an investigation by the principal of the complaint. Cards will be issued annually. Lost cards must be replaced before the student will be allowed to ride. There will be no charge for the first card, but a payment of $1.00 will be required for replacement cards. Transferred-in students will be issued a temporary bus pass by the principal. Students leaving school for any reason are required to turn in their I.D. card. Cards will be prepared during the first week of school by the school department.
School ID Cards on Buses Grades 9-12
Students in grades 9 – 12 are required to have identification cards issued by the school department in order to ride school buses. These cards must be shown to the driver upon entering the bus. If the driver so requests, the cards must be surrendered by the student. Such a request will be made only if a disciplinary problem exists. The card will be returned to the student through the principal's office when the student is again entitled to ride. If the driver turns in a card in the afternoon, the student will be allowed to ride to school the next morning pending an investigation by the principal of the complaint. Cards will be issued annually. Transferred-in students will be issued a temporary bus pass by the principal.