1421 Rays Church Rd.
Bishop, Georgia 30621
706-769-3508
The Transportation Department of Oconee County Schools has one purpose: the safe transportation of students. Specific rules and regulations were developed and are enforced in order to ensure the safety of students. It is important that each student realize his or her role in helping to achieve this goal. Students must cooperate with the driver and obey all rules and regulations. Parents are encouraged to support the bus drivers in their efforts to perform their duties in a safe manner. Bus drivers are required to have a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with two endorsements, as well as undergo a comprehensive training program of driving skills, student management, CPR, and first aid. The bus driver is required to successfully complete a physical, drug and alcohol test, and criminal background check. All drivers are required to participate in safety meetings and several training workshops each year.
All buses are inspected daily by the driver and/or by transportation maintenance personnel. Once every 21 days the buses go through a 54-point inspection by transportation maintenance personnel. In addition, the Department of Motor Vehicles inspects each vehicle annually to certify it meets all safety regulations and laws relating to pupil transportation in the State of Georgia.
The safety of students is the first consideration when determining bus stop locations. The Georgia Department of Education determines the guidelines for location of the bus stops. Students are allowed to walk up to a half (1/2) mile to a bus stop. The school bus will travel streets or street segments that are at least four-tenths (4/10) mile in length and provide a safe turnaround area for the bus. Bus stop locations will normally be placed no closer than one-tenth (1/10) mile along a road or street and no greater than four-tenths (4/10) mile within an established subdivision. Curbside service will only be rendered if the student is incapacitated.
The Director of Transportation has the authority to change a bus stop that is determined to be unsafe. No maximum ride time is specified; however, bus runs are designed to minimize the length of the student's ride to and from school. Bus drivers have the authority to assign seats to maintain safety on their school bus. The Transportation Director and Routing Supervisor will remove any student that is unruly and will not be allowed back on until parent contacts Transportation.
Vision: Oconee County Schools will be a nationally-recognized leader in academic achievement by ensuring all students receive rigorous, balanced education that will enable them to compete in and contribute to a global society.
Motto: Committed to Student Success