Transportation Department 816-521-5335

Independence School District Transportation Guidelines

While bus-transportation is available, families needed to request service during the registration process. The Independence School District will provide transportation to students living 1.5 miles or more from their school of residence.

Routes and Stops

Bus stops have been established by the Transportation Department in accordance with guidelines established by the Department of Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Independence School District Policies and Procedures.

  • Buses in general will only travel along main streets
  • Buses will not make house stops
  • Buses will stop at a safe, identifiable intersection
  • Stop distances will be based on grade level and developmental appropriateness
  • Stops will be placed on corners and/or common ground when possible
  • Bus stops will not be closer than 500 feet apart
  • Buses will not enter dead-end/cul-de-sac streets/roads
  • Middle and high school students must carry their bus pass and school ID

Important Forms

Stop Change Request Form (Regular School Year Only)

Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to escort their children to and from the bus stop.  If you feel your child’s bus stop should be changed, please fill out the “Stop Change Request Form”. Please note that stops will not be changed because of requests related to walking distance, visibility of stop from residence or absence of sidewalks.  Please include your contact information and understand that responses will take time.

Back to School

Please note that during a regular school year, the ISD safely transports more than 10,000 students each day. During the first week of school, students should arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes before the published stop time. Run times may vary during the first week of school until all students have registered and adjustments are made due to traffic, construction and final student data. After the first week of school, students should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the stop time.

Kindergarten Students

The district encourages parents to accompany their kindergarten students to and from the bus stop.  The ISD does not mandate parent presence but for new riders, parent support is helpful.

Student Conduct and Discipline

Students whose conduct poses a safety hazard, disruption or distraction for the driver will lose their riding privileges and any fees paid will be forfeited. Student discipline is handled through the Transportation Department by the Student Safety Supervisor. Student conduct expectations:

  • Follow the bus driver’s directions
  • Provide full and correct name when requested by the driver
  • Be at the bus stop five minutes before your assigned stop time
  • Line up in a single line at the side of the road with no pushing or shoving
  • Sit on your seat, not on knees or backpacks
  • Keep the aisle clear. Keep hands feet and other items to yourself on the bus
  • No food, drinks, gum or candy on the bus
  • No fragrances, body sprays, or lotions are to be used on the bus
  • Students are expected to help keep the bus clean and not destroy transportation equipment
  • Damage resulting from misbehavior shall be paid for by the student
  • Suspension from the bus will occur and continue until all damage is paid for
  • Students will show consideration for other students and the bus driver
  • No profanity or other abusive language. No physical or verbal bullying
  • Students are required to board and exit the bus at their assigned stop

Safety Infraction Steps

1st Card             Warning (parent phone call to notify)
2nd Card            5 Day Suspension
3rd Card             Loss of transportation service for the semester.

If a student loses transportation service for the remainder of the first semester of a school year as result of three safety infractions, the student may resume transportation service at the beginning of the second semester. Upon receiving an additional safety infraction, or the fourth safety infraction during the same school year, the student will lose transportation service for the remainder of the school year. 

Severe Violations

  • Insubordination and/or disrespect to the driver
  • Flagrant disregard for the safety of others, such as fighting

The above conduct will result in loss of transportation for the remainder of the semester. Students suspended from their regular bus may not ride Independence School District buses including late activity buses until their suspension has been served.

Items Deemed Unsafe for Transportation

Items deemed unsafe or too large to be carried on the student’s lap cannot be transported on the school bus.  This can include musical instruments.  Please contact your school for information.

Inclement Weather

Due to inclement weather, it may become necessary for school officials to cancel school or shorten the school day for the safety and welfare of students and staff. You will receive an automated phone call from the district if school is canceled or impacted by weather. It may be necessary to alter your child’s bus route due to road conditions.  If your child is on a route that could be modified due to weather, you will receive a letter from the transportation department prior to the winter season.

Para informacion en espanol, comuniquese al 816-521-5394