Evergreen School District
Subtitle
Transportation Overview
Transportation Safety Plan
Education Code 39831.3
School Bus Regulations
Mission
Transportation's mission to provide safe, efficient, and on-time transportation services that support equitable access to educational opportunities for our students.
Vision
EESD’s students and families experience the Transportation Department as one that is student centered and responsive in providing eco-friendly transportation options that are prompt, reliable, and affordable.
Introduction
Assembly Bill 1297 was authored by Assembly Member Morrow and signed into law by the Governor, October 6, 1997. This law went into effect January 1, 1998 and is as follows: Section 39831.1 of the Education Code: “The county superintendent of schools, the superintendent of a school district, a charter school or the owner or operator of a private school that provides transportation to or from a school or school activity shall prepare a transportation safety plan containing procedures for school personnel to follow to ensure the safe transport of pupils. The plan shall be revised as required.”
The law also requires that a copy of the plan be retained at each school site subject to the plan and that this plan be made available upon request to an officer of the Department of the California Highway Patrol. The Evergreen Elementary School District is committed to the safety of children and following procedure shall be followed. It is the District’s intent to educate the staff, students, and our community of the changes and requirements of this law. It is imperative that each school site administrator takes time to familiarize themselves with this law and that they educate their staff, students, and communities on the specifics of this law and its requirements. If you or any of your staff, students, or community has questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the Transportation office at (408)270-6797.
It is the intent of the Operations Department of Evergreen Elementary School District to comply with all laws. Our goal is to maintain safe and healthful transportation services that support our students, staff, and parents. To accomplish these goals, we have outlined our holistic approach to providing these services within our community.
Thank you in advance for your support in these efforts and we look forward to providing safe and efficient student transportation!
Casino Fajardo, MS, Director of Operations
Updated January 2026
California Education Code 39831.5
(a) All pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in public or private school who are transported in a school bus or school pupil activity bus shall receive instruction in school bus emergency procedures and passenger safety. The county superintendent of schools, superintendent of the school district, or owner/operator of a private school, as applicable, shall ensure that the instruction is provided as follows:
(1) Upon registration, the parents or guardians of all pupils not previously transported in a school bus or school pupil activity bus and who are in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 6, inclusive, shall be provided with written information on school bus safety. The information shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
- A list of school bus stops near each pupil's home.
- General rules of conduct at school bus loading zones.
- Red light crossing instructions.
- School bus danger zone.
- Walking to and from school bus stops. (Elementary Grades 1 to 6)
(2) At least once in each school year, all pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, who receive home-to-school transportation shall receive safety instruction that includes, but is not limited to, proper loading and unloading procedures, including escorting by the driver, how to safely cross the street, highway, or private road, instruction on the use of passenger restraint systems, as described in paragraph (3), proper passenger conduct, bus evacuation, and location of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit. As part of the instruction, pupils shall evacuate the school bus through emergency exit doors.
(3) Instruction on the use of passenger restraint systems, when a passenger restraint system is installed, shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
- Proper fastening and release of the passenger restraint system.
- Acceptable placement of passenger restraint systems on pupils.
- Times at which the passenger restraint systems should be fastened and released.
- Acceptable placement of the passenger restraint systems when not in use.
(4) Prior to departure on a school activity trip, all pupils riding on a school bus or school pupil activity bus shall receive safety instruction that includes, but is not limited to, location of emergency exits, and location and use of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit. The following information shall be documented each time the instruction required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) is given:
(1) Name of school district, county office of education, or private school.
(2) Name and location of school.
(3) Date of instruction.
(4) Names of supervising adults.
(5) Number of pupils participating.
(6) Grade levels of pupils.
(7) Subjects covered in instruction.
(8) Amount of time taken for instruction.
(9) Bus driver's name.
(10) Bus number.
(11) Additional remarks.
The information recorded pursuant to this subdivision shall remain on file at the district or county office, or at the school, for one year from the date of the instruction, and shall be subject to inspection by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.