FAQs

Is my child bus eligible?
Bus eligibility is calculated using routing software and all distances are figured from the students home address to the school they attend. The following criteria is used to establish bus eligibility:
Grade	School	Distance
KDG & 1st	Longfellow	Over 1.0 miles
2nd & 3rd	Field	Over 1.25 miles
4th & 5th	Riley	Over 1.5 miles
6th, 7th, & 8th	Fostoria Middle School	Over 2.0 miles
9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th	Fostoria High School	Over 2.0 miles

Will my child be picked up at the door?
No. Door-to-door service is not provided in the Fostoria Community School District. Bus stop locations are designated by the transportation supervisor and approved by the board of education. Most bus stops in the city are depot stops. In rural area and for children with special needs, door-to-door service may be provided, as necessary.

The bus stop is too far from my house. Why can't my child be picked up closer to home?
In accordance with state law, students may be assigned to a bus stop that is no more than 0.50 miles from their home. Increasing the number of stops, increases the time and cost to run a route.

What is my child allowed to bring on the bus?
Ohio Administrative Code 3301-83-08(C)(12) states that "Pupils may carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps." Passengers are prohibited from bringing any item that could be explosive or flammable onto the bus. This includes but is not limited to: aerosol cans, lighters, nail polish or remover. Children are prohibited from bringing animals (dead or alive), insects or creatures on the bus. Glass containers are also not allowed.

The bus is late...again! Why does it run off schedule so often?
While this is not typical, many factors can affect the bus running behind or ahead of schedule. Mechanical problems, traffic and unruly students are typical causes for a bus to be late OR early. Bus drivers are required to perform and document a thorough inspection of their vehicle prior to leaving storage. Our drivers place safety at the highest priority, and will not drive a vehicle that could compromise passenger safety. Therefore, a relatively small defect that is caught before leaving for route will cause the bus driver to stop and perform another check on a spare bus. There are a great many variables which can change the route times; weather, traffic, delays at the schools and being Fostoria, trains!

My child is not eligible to ride the bus, but his doctor says he must. How soon can he start?
First of all, any child with a medical need must have a "Physician's Statement" form on file with the transportation supervisor at least 24 hours prior to the child beginning to ride the bus. This official district form is available from the transportation supervisor, and requires a doctor to certify a child's need for bus transportation in the event that he or she is not eligible to ride the bus. Once the form has been completed and received by the transportation supervisor, at least 24 hours is required (sometimes more time is required) for the child to be assigned to a route. The child will receive a bus pass and must present that to the driver, the first time that he or she rides.

We received a bus pass in the mail. What should we do with it?
Bus passes are a security measure implemented in 2003, to ensure that all students boarding a bus were eligible riders. Every child in the district will receive a bus pass - even if they are not eligible. Students who are NOT eligible to ride the bus will have the word "WALK" printed on their bus pass. Students who are eligible to ride the bus and have a bus stop location, pickup time, and bus number assigned to them, must present their bus pass to the bus driver on the fist time they ride the bus. BUS DRIVERS ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP THE BUS PASS, and they will NOT PERMIT ANYONE TO BOARD THEIR BUS without having a bus pass in their possession! It is important to keep these passes! If you lost yours, you will need to contact the transportation office to request a duplicate.

		FAQs