There are 19 buses and 28 vans owned by FishingCreek Transportation that Milton Area School District uses to carry around 1200 students to and from school.
“On average, 65 students are assigned to each bus, and seven students are assigned to each van,” according to Assistant Business Administrator Mr. Darren Tull.
“In the morning, all grade levels ride together. However, in the afternoon, we do an elementary run and then a secondary run,” added Mr. Tull.
“Transportation is not required for elementary students residing within 1.5 miles and secondary students residing within two miles of the school unless the conditions are hazardous,” explained Mr. Tull. “We use those guidelines to create a map with walking zones for each school that excludes hazardous walking areas. Students falling within those areas are not eligible for transportation.”
“Around 70 percent of students have transportation available/use transportation and 30 percent are in walking zones, drive, or are transported by parents,” said Mr. Tull.
According to Mr. Tull, the first Milton student is picked up as early as 6:30 a.m., adding that the transportation staff are currently trying to set the time back so students don’t have to wake up so early.
“We try to keep the rides at an hour, but a handful of students are over an hour,” said Mr. Tull. “A biggest concern among parents and even students is to keep bus routes under an hour and arriving to their destination safely,” he said, and added that there are no set laws on how long bus rides can be.
Students are expected to follow school rules while they are on district transportation.
“Any student whose behavior is detrimental to the welfare or safety of other students or who refuses to follow directions may be denied the privilege of riding the school bus,” according to the transportation section of Milton Area School District website.
According to Mr. Tull, when a student gets in trouble on the bus, it is up to the student’s building principal to assign consequences. He added that there are no specific grade levels that get suspended more than others.
“It very much mirrors the classroom. This can vary by bus, age, level and year,” said Mr. Tull.
“Common problems with high school students on the bus is screaming, standing up and defying the bus driver,” added Dean of Students Mr. William Campbell.
