FPCS Transportation calculates the distance a student resides from school based on walking miles and not driving miles (Google Maps). This distance is measured in Versatrans, a student transportation management solution trusted by school districts across the nation to coordinate day-to-day transportation needs.

Versatrans does factor in instances where a student can safely walk through a park to get to school, thereby shortening the walking miles between residence and school. The software does not calculate the shortest route possible by using hazardous walk areas, or students walking through yards or alleys or climbing fences.

We treat each stop as unique, directly observing various factors before making a decision about where to place a stop, as well as subjecting each stop assessment to objective safety standards. Physical features (view obstructions, shoulder width, presence or lack of sidewalks, traffic speed and volume, traffic controls, etc.), in and near the roadway, are part of these evaluations.

Each pupil shall be assigned a designated place of safety on the residence side of the roadway on which the vehicle is scheduled to stop. Driver must account for each pupil at the designated place of safety before leaving. Pupils are not to proceed to their residence until the school bus has departed.

This varies according to the size of the school bus. Full-size buses can accommodate up to 65-72 elementary school students. Everyone must be seated and there is no standing in the aisle allowed.

No law requires a parent to see the bus stop from home. Students in Ohio may be assigned to a bus stop up to one-half mile from their home and we encourage parents to accompany their child to the bus stop whenever possible. This teaches the child safe habits of walking to and from the bus stop and may give the parent peace of mind.

Many students walk alongside of roadways to reach their bus stop and in some instances, no sidewalks exist. While we understand this may be of concern in some situations, the Department of Education does not promulgate bus stop placement. Issues relating to where a child’s bus stop is located and safety concerns along the way to the bus stop must be addressed with the district in which you reside.

Ohio law requires children to be waiting at the bus stop prior to its arrival. Bus drivers count the students at the bus stop before they load and as they get on the bus to ensure all children are safely on board. If students are not waiting at the bus stop the bus driver cannot count them and cannot be certain the students are all safely on board. Waiting at the bus stop before the bus arrives further ensures that no one chases after the bus.

A child who has an I.E.P. does not automatically receive transportation unless the I.E.P. team determines it is a required need related to the disability and writes this into the related services. If transportation is not included on the I.E.P. your child will be transported similarly to regular education students in your district.

No FPCS high school student will be provided transportation unless the student has a documented disability and the I.E.P. team determines it is necessary to include transportation into the related services.