Transportation Office
501 S. Sherley Ave, Anna, TX 75409
972-924-1800
Transportation@annaisd.org
Hours of Office Operation: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Transportation Staff
Director of Transportation
Brayden Bunting
Brayden.Bunting@annaisd.org
Assistant Director of Transportation
Christy Carney
Christy.Carney@annaisd.org
Dispatcher
Natalie Tschacher
Natalie.Tschacher@annaisd.org
Bus Routing
Kimberly Davis
Kimberly.Davis@annaisd.org
Anna ISD schools, students, parents, and guardians are responsible for ensuring that bus transportation to and from school remains safe While recognizing and understanding each other's responsibilities, working together will help the district and families keep the system organized and efficient. Surveillance cameras and Student IDs are used on Anna ISD buses to ensure student and driver safety.
Parents assume the responsibility for their students traveling back and forth between their residence and the bus stop.
Transportation Registration
Registration is mandatory each year
Each year, returning and new students are required to register for transportation services. This process may be completed at Coyote Crossing (school registration) or on www annaisd org website under Departments – Transportation.
● Bus Registration Begins July 8, 2024
● Students must be registered by July 28, 2024 for transportation to be guaranteed during the first week of school.
○ Not registering for Transportation Services will delay the student’s admittance on the bus until registration is complete.
○ Refrain from registering in a timely manner to avoid a delay in bus admittance due to the creation of ridership schedules and bus routing.
Eligibility of Transportation
The Texas Education Agency, along with our local Board of Trustees, provides the opportunity for bus transportation for eligible students. The state determines Rider eligibility as follows: “Home-to-School/School-to-Home actually is served at an established stop located near the student’s residence, child-care facility, or grandparent’s home Transportation is only for those students who reside two or more miles from their assigned campus of regular attendance, measured by the shortest traveled route used by the public, and who are not classified as a student eligible for special education services.” The two-mile marker may fall between two neighbors located on the same street. Walking into the eligible area to catch the bus is strictly prohibited. This prohibition will be enforced. Additionally, the Anna ISD Board of Trustees has approved “hazardous zones” to allow transportation for students who reside within 2 miles but must cross a major highway (455, 5, 2862), railroad tracks, or have no sidewalks available.
The Anna ISD Transportation Department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of each student. Riding in a district transportation vehicle is a privilege offered to eligible students who reside within the district. The primary purpose of the transportation department is to provide transportation for eligible pupils from the vicinity of their homes to allow them to access the School District’s Educational Programs in their campus zone.
Anna ISD Transportation Department is responsible for providing safe and efficient transportation services to students eligible for school district-provided transportation services. This safety is a shared responsibility with the active participation of parents, guardians, school staff, students, and school bus drivers.
The School District’s responsibility for the supervision of students who are eligible for transportation service begins when the student enters the school bus and ends when the
student exits the bus at the designated drop-off location at the end of the school day.
Bus Stop Walking Distance
The Transportation Department considers the environment and age of the students when placing bus stops Elementary grade levels have been calculated as 1/4 of a mile Middle and High School grade levels have been calculated as 0.5 of a mile. In establishing routes in new or existing residential subdivisions, each bus will be scheduled to use perimeter routes and thoroughfares. Students will be required to walk to their designated bus stop. Other factors where students may walk more than the allowed amount are neighborhoods with one entrance/exit, tight or no turning radius, and walkways.
Congregated stops may be relocated during the school year as deemed appropriate. When the administration becomes aware of places to relocate a pickup point, parents will be notified beforethe effective date.
Student Pickup
All students are expected to be at their assigned school bus pickup location (the closest stop to their residence) at least ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time. A driver on a regular school route who arrives within the 10-minute window before or after their scheduled pickup time is not expected to wait for late students. A delay at even one school bus stop can impact the smooth operation of an entire route sequence serving, several campuses and hundreds of students. Once the school bus has left the pickup location, the driver will not stop the bus and open the door en route to the next stop or school. At no time should a parent/guardian or other non-Anna ISD staff follow the bus or pull in front to block the path of the bus. Such an action may result in a response from police officers working for the district. The scheduled number of pupils assigned to ride a standard school bus will not exceed 100% of its rated passenger capacity in the assignment of not more than three students per seat. Upon the opening of schools, should unforeseen circumstances result in overload, adjustments in routes and stops may be made, with attention being given to the most seriously overloaded routes.
If the School Bus Does Not Arrive on Time
School bus routes can be delayed for various reasons, including traffic, road blockages and closures, weather conditions, delays on prior routes/trips, and unacceptable student behavior. Students should remain at their assigned school bus stop for at least 10 minutes after the scheduled school bus pickup time. Parents/Guardians who leave before the scheduled school bus pickup time should make arrangements with a neighbor or family member to assist their child(ren) in case of an unscheduled delay. Parents should ensure that children understand what action to take if the school bus is late or fails to arrive at the pickup locations
Parents/Guardians Responsibility
It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to ensure safety to and from the student's designated bus stop. Parents/Guardians who leave for work or other activities or are not home after the scheduled school bus pickup/drop off times should make arrangements with a neighbor or family member to assist their child(ren).
Loading and Unloading: School Bus Danger Zones
The most dangerous time for a student riding the school bus is the loading and unloading process. It is critical that students are visible to the driver and out of the bus danger zones when the bus is in motion. The rule applies to loading and unloading both in the neighborhoods and at schools. If students are crossing the street, they should move immediately out of the danger zone and proceed at least 15 feet in front of the bus before crossing the street Students should never cross behind the bus or crawl underneath to retrieve anything.
● Never enter the danger zones when the bus is in motion.
● Never cross behind the bus.
● Extreme Danger Zones are 0 to 5 feet from the side and front of the bus. Stay away from the Extreme Danger Zone in front of the bus.
● Danger Zones are 5 to 10 feet from the side and front of the bus
● When late, don’t chase after the bus!
● The walking Area is 10+ feet from the side of the bus. Cross 12 to 30 feet in front of the bus in full view of the bus driver.
General Information about Student Transportation
● Do not approach the school bus or driver. If you need to speak with the driver regarding concerns, please contact the Transportation Office at 972-924-1800 to make an appointment rather than delay the route.
● Students are not allowed to ride home with other students on a bus they are not assigned to.
● Have your student ready to board the bus ten (10) minutes before the scheduled pickup time each morning.
● Knowing, understanding, and teaching your child to follow the bus rules.
● All secondary (6-12) students are required to wear their current Student ID at all times; failing to provide their current year student ID could result in denial of transportation. All Elementary students (Pk-5) are still required to have their student ID to get on the bus.
● Notify the Transportation Office as early as possible when your student will not be riding. Failure to ride for (3) consecutive days without communication will result in termination of service until the parent/guardian contacts the Transportation Office and reinstates the service. (Unless multiple student riders are at the said stop).
● Share information with the Transportation Department regarding changes in schedule, medical status, or major personal disruptions that would seriously affect your student’s behavior.
● Students with band instruments are required to sit with their instruments in their laps to ensure other student safety. Instruments, and other items should never be in the aisle of the bus
● Students carrying any objects deemed school projects may be asked to have their parent/guardian transport that item if it could cause a potential safety risk on the bus. The student should communicate with the driver at least one (1) day in advance to ensure the driver will allow the project to board the bus.
● Communicate in writing any medical information, medication, or changes in student health status that would affect your student’s transportation
● The assigned seat process is required for every bus route. This requirement decreases vandalism to bus seats, reduces the expense for seat repairs, and aids drivers in knowing their students It also satisfies the Department of Public Safety requirements for seating charts for any bus involved in an accident.
● Make sure your student goes to the restroom before boarding the bus.
● Remember that students in wheelchairs must have properly operating lock brakes, footrests, armrests, and a safety belt.
● Fasten seat belts, if available This is a law Failure to fasten seat belts will result in disciplinary consequences. (TEC 34.013)
● Cell phones are allowed on the school bus within the confines of the Student Code of Conduct. At no point in time may students take pictures, videos, or otherwise make any type of recording on the bus. Failure to comply may result in students being required by the driver or campus administration to turn cell phones into the driver prior to loading the bus or suspension of transportation services Music may be listened to with headphones only. No audio from a cellular device may be audible to any other students or bus driver.
Student Conduct
If a bus route has left a campus and is on his/her way to another campus to pick up students and a student displays behavior issues that are a safety concern for that route, then it is the responsibility of the Campus Administrator to remove the student(s) involved and contact the parents. The driver and dispatcher are responsible for contacting an administrator before dropping the student(s) iff, If that route is not at a campus when this situation occurs, the Anna ISD Police Department will be notified, an Officer will be dispatched to their immediate location and the student(s) will be removed.
If a student is suspended from transportation and he or she has an extracurricular trip planned, suspension could remain, unless it is part of their curriculum.
Dures and safety rules help ensure ent’s safety and protection. Failure to meet these standards or follow these safety rules and procedures may result in student conflicts or injuries and cause delays in transporting or distractions to the driver which may be categorized as a Class C Misdemeanor.
(TEC 37.126- Disruption of Transportation) Any student failing to follow the rules and procedures will receive a Bus Conduct Report turned in by the bus driver to the Disciplinary Administrator. The Disciplinary Administrator will determine the appropriate disciplinary measure which can include temporary or permanent removal of transportation privileges. Parents of students who damage Anna ISD property (including bus seats) are responsible for restitution to the Anna ISD Transportation Department before the student is allowed to be transported
Bus routes shall be planned to achieve maximum safety of operations with reasonable economy
Transportation Rules, Regulations, and Disciplinary Consequences
Rules and regulations defining student conduct are designed to protect the passengers and shall be observed at all times The Bus safety rules are in addition to the general Student Code of Conduct used by the district, they include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Students will not be allowed to ride home with other students who are not assigned to that bus.
● Students will keep their Student ID on them at all times. Students will use their Student ID to scan on and off the bus each day. Failure to have a Student ID may result in the driver declining to transport the student.
● All secondary (6-12) students are required to wear their current Student ID at all times; failing to provide their current year Student ID will result in denial of transportation
● The bus driver is in charge of students on the bus. Students shall follow the driver’s directions at all times and immediately upon request by the driver.
● Only authorized personnel and eligible bus students assigned to a specific bus are permitted to ride the bus.
● Buses will stop at established stops only Students will not be permitted to leave the bus until the bus arrives at their established bus stop or the appropriate school. Students shall load and unload at their designated bus stop only.
● Students shall wait for a bus by remaining 10 feet away from the bus stop or remaining on the sidewalk Students must wait until the bus comes to a full complete stop before boarding or leaving the bus.
● Students will remain properly seated at all times and not block the center aisle.
● Students must keep all body parts and personal objects inside the bus and to themselves at all times.
● Scuffling, shoving, horse-playing, and/or fighting are prohibited on the bus and at established bus stops.
● Littering or throwing items inside or from the bus is prohibited.
● Students are not allowed to consume food (including candy) or drink on the bus; water is the only exception.
● The use of tobacco products is prohibited, including E-cigs, vapes, etc.
● Students shall not deface or vandalize the bus or related equipment. Students who violate this rule will be required to pay for damages and are not allowed to ride until payment has been received.
● Students are not to engage in loud talking or yelling, use profanity, use racially motivated language, use inappropriate gestures, or use any other language deemed inappropriate by the driver on the bus.
● Students are not allowed to bring skateboards/longboards/hoverboards, or animals on the bus.
● Fasten seat belts, if available. This is a law. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action.
● Students, while on the bus, while entering or exiting the bus, and while at or in the general area of the designated loading and unloading zone area are required to comply with and will be subject to the Student Code of Conduct/Discipline Rules established by the school district.
● Do not obstruct the driver’s view, including the back emergency door windows
● Do not mark, deface, or tamper with seats, windows, emergency doors, or other
The following are general guidelines for consequences for transportation violations.
Level 1 Offenses:
● 1st referral: Campus conference with the student
● 2nd referral: Campus phone call to parent The parent is notified next referral will result in a temporary bus suspension
● 3rd referral: Mandatory parent and administrator conference. Up to 3 days of bus suspension or time spent in ISS
● 4th referral: Mandatory parent and administrator conference. Up to 8 days of bus suspension. No ISS placement in lieu of bus suspension
● 5th referral: Suspension of any and all bus privileges for the remainder of the current semester and/or current school year.
Level 2 Offenses:
● 1st referral: Campus conference with the student
● 2nd referral: Up to 8 days of bus suspension
● 3rd referral: Suspension of any and all bus privileges for the remainder of the current semester and/or school year.
Level 3 Offenses:
● 1st referral: Suspension of any and all bus privileges for the remainder of the current semester and/or school year.
The campus administrator at their discretion may increase the consequence of any level of misconduct at any time.
***Severe Clause: If a student’s conduct while on the bus, waiting at the bus stop, or while exiting or entering the bus jeopardizes the safety of other students or the bus driver; or constitutes an offense under the Student Code of Conduct could result in an immediate consequence not related to the offense steps. These consequences could include a bus suspension, along with a campus disciplinary action, including possible placement in the District Alternative Education Program. ***
Video
Video cameras will be used on each bus. Videos will be viewed by the Director of Transportation, relevant transportation staff, campus administrators, and law enforcement only. Video tapes or copies will not be released from the Transportation Office.
My Ride K-12
Bus schedules and transportation alerts/messages
Registration is mandatory each year
The Anna ISD Transportation Department has implemented a program called My Ride K-12. Once students are registered for transportation services a bus schedule is created for that specific student. Student bus schedules will be available through the My Ride K-12 application, which indicates their bus number, stop location, and stop times, along with transportation alerts/messages relating to the registered student.
To receive bus schedules and alerts/messages, each student must be registered for transportation services and registered separately for the My Ride K-12 application. My Ride K-12 registration instructions will be provided at Coyote Crossing (school registration) and may also be found on the www.AnnaISD.org website under Departments – Transportation. This application is available via computer and/or mobile device. Student ID numbers are required to register for My Ride K-12.
Students are to load and unload their assigned bus at their assigned stop locations found on the My Ride K-12 application. The bus driver will be notified if students are not assigned to the particular bus or stop location. This could either delay or deny student ridership if assignments are not followed.
Morning Bus Transportation
Regular bus transportation attempts to arrive at every bus stop on time. Students are asked to arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time to ensure on-time boarding due to unforeseen circumstances. Buses will load students and depart the stop at the assigned times General education buses do not wait for late students Special needs buses follow much the same criteria but will wait up to 2 minutes at each stop.
If a Student Doesn’t Arrive On Time
Please communicate with your student a plan of action for getting to school in the event the student misses the bus. This is the responsibility of the parent/guardian. This may require arrangements with another family member or a trusted family friend. Parents are welcome to call the transportation office however the bus may not be able to return to the stop.
Afternoon Bus Transportation
Anna ISD does not require, but does encourage parents with children in grade PreK – 2nd to be at the bus stop or have a responsible adult meet the bus in the afternoon. This assures the bus
driver that your child is in safe hands All AISD students will be released to their assigned stop regardless of the presence of a parent or guardian.
6th – 12th grade buses allow a 7-minute loading window after school is dismissed in the afternoon for students to board. Students are expected to proceed immediately to the buses. Bus drivers are instructed not to stop or open the door for late students after the 7-minute window.
Student IDs
In the 2023-2024 school year, Anna ISD implemented an “all in one” student ID The student ID is required to be carried by the student at all times. This student ID also serves as a scannable bus badge to allow for transportation services and has replaced the bus badges used in previous school years. This student ID is required to be scanned as they enter and exit the bus, allowing a student to be accounted for and located if necessary. The identification information with the time, date, and location of the scan is available to the school district through a fleet management system
Students will be responsible for having their assigned Student ID on a daily basis They will not be permitted to use district transportation without their assigned Student ID or a temporary bus pass from the school office for that day. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the school prior to 1:00 PM if they do not have their Student ID and will need to ride the bus home in the afternoon. Temporary Student IDs will allow admittance to their assigned bus but do not take the place of having their assigned Student ID
Student ID Desensitization
In order to ensure your Student ID remains functional please follow the guidelines listed below to reduce the risk of desensitizing the Student ID scanning feature.
● Store the Student ID in a hard plastic case so the ID is not able to become bent
● Keep Student ID away from all magnets
● Do not store the Student ID in a cell phone case or around debit/credit cards
In the event a Student ID begins to not scan (has become desensitized) another Student ID will need to be purchased using the process listed below.
Purchasing a Student ID
In the 2023-2024 school year, all students were issued a free student ID. Students new to the district or campus will receive one free Student ID. Students can visit the campus front office to purchase a new Student ID Card. You will be asked to provide your student ID number or name and pay the $10.00 to receive a replacement card. If there is no photo in the database, you
may need to have one taken. For questions about payment methods, please contact the campus front office.
Student ID Replacement Protocol and Timeframe
Student safety and accountability are of the utmost importance. This is why Anna ISD has implemented the Student ID All-in-One system Due to system requirements, each student must scan on and off the bus each day, each time they ride. If a student has lost or damaged their issued student ID, they will have 2 days to purchase a replacement Student ID.
The 1st day a student does not have their assigned Student ID they will receive a verbal reminder from the bus driver to find and replace Student ID.
On the 2nd consecutive day of not having an issued student ID, the student will receive a written warning (Bus Conduct Report), and parent contact will be initiated via My Ride K-12, email, or phone call with instructions given to the parent on how to purchase a new student ID. Bus ridership will be suspended starting the next school day. Suspension from bus riding privileges will continue until an issued replacement student ID has been acquired and presented.
It is imperative that students use only the Student ID that is assigned and issued to them.
*If a student is found to be using a Student ID that has not been assigned to them they will receive a written warning (Bus Conduct Report) and parent contact will be initiated. Bus ridership will be suspended until an issued replacement student ID has been acquired and presented.