Transportation

Providing safe and timely transportation to over 2,900 students on 34 bus routes is the number one priority of our department. The district’s fleet of 42 buses are maintained by our own mechanics and rigorously inspected several times a year by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Transportation staff completes an intensive training program and must pass both written and driving tests. They have an annual physical exam to assure they meet all state guidelines. They are also subject to random drug testing. All bus drivers must participate in four hours of annual in-service safety training yearly, as well as an intensive driver recertification process every six years.

Bus Routes

Parents and guardians of Walter Shade students should call the Transportation Department at 937-859-5121, ext. 8960 for bus route information.

To access bus route information for students in grades 1 through 12, please click HERE then enter the student's grade and address.

(Staff members, if accessing from inside the school buildings, please click HERE)

Bus stop information is updated frequently. Please have your students at the bus stop ten minutes before the scheduled time. Pick up and drop off times are estimated and may change throughout the school year due to new and withdrawn students.

Thank you for your help and patience. Together, we can make the school bus SAFE for all of our students!

Bus Safety Rules

Make sure your children know and follow these important bus safety rules:

Be at the bus stop TEN MINUTES before the designated pick up time.
Wait at your designated place of safety away from the roadway.
Never run to or from the bus.
Always stay seated while the bus is moving.
Never put your hands on another student.
Do not yell or shout.
Always obey the driver.
Look for the driver’s signal before crossing the street.
Always cross in front of the school bus.
Never crawl under the school bus.
Never eat or drink on the bus.

Parent Information

Review the bus safety rules with your child and stress their importance.
Make sure your child is at the stop ten minutes early. This is for your child's safety and is required by State law. Bus Drivers count the students at the bus stop before they load and as they get on the bus to ensure all children are safely on board. If students are not waiting at the bus stop, the bus driver cannot count them and cannot be certain the students are all safely on board. Waiting at the bus stop before the bus arrives further ensures that no one chases after the bus, which is very dangerous. Drivers are not required to stop at a location where no students are waiting.
If a temporary bus change is needed (except for the ECC), you must send a note with your child or contact the school office. A bus pass will be issued to your student. If they do not have a bus pass, your child cannot ride a different bus. We cannot accommodate one day changes for our Kindergarten or Preschool students.
A change of address must be made at your child's school or Central Office. Only then can we make the permanent bus change.
A parent/authorized person must be visible before we release Preschool, Kindergarten, or special needs students.
Only authorized personnel (eligible pupils, transportation employees, approved school personnel) are allowed to board a school bus.

Sharing the Road

Many drivers instinctively slow down or stop when they approach a school bus, but not everyone knows the laws governing bus safety.

School buses must stop at all railroad crossings to make sure the tracks are clear.
School buses are not allowed to back up while on school property.
Traffic flowing with the school bus must always stop when it stops.
Oncoming traffic must stop when the school bus stops on any road of 2 or 3 lanes (neighborhood streets, Alex Bell Road).
Bus riders are not permitted to cross more than three lanes of traffic.
Oncoming traffic does not need to stop on roads of more than four lanes (St. Rt. 741, Alex Road).

Belinda Cox
Transportation Coordinator
3400 Alex Bell Road
West Carrollton, Ohio 45449
Phone: 937-859-5121, ext. 8959
Fax: 937-859-2773
E-mail: [email protected]

Kathy Allen
Dispatcher
Phone: (937) 859-5121 Ext. 8961
Fax: 937-859-2773
E-mail: [email protected]

Trisha LaForce
Dispatcher
Phone: (937) 859-5121 Ext. 8964
Fax: 937-859-2773
E-mail: [email protected]