Transportation

Mr. Tom Gordon is the School Transportation Supervisor for DCS.

Transportation Department Contact Information:

Tom Gordon
(518) 895-2511 X237

Tina Cieszynski
Transportation Clerk

9225 Duanesburg Road, Delanson, NY  12053
Phone: (518) 895-2511
Auto-Attendant: (518) 895-8310
Fax: (518) 895-2018

Transportation procedures

Transportation arrangements

Please fill out this form if you are opting to transport your child to school or for child care arrangements. If we do not receive a form, your child will be set up for busing to and from home.

• Childcare and Parent Transportation Form

School bus routes 

Transportation postcards are typically mailed the last week in August, and they include designated pick-up times and locations for the coming school year. Students should arrive at their stop at least five minutes before the scheduled time. The times listed on the cards are only estimates and the actual time can fluctuate until a routine is set.

Dropping off students after school

Drivers must see or be assured that an adult is present when a student in kindergarten through grade 3 is dropped off. We request that an adult/older student acknowledge the bus by standing in a doorway or waving from a window. If your home is not visible from the road, please make provisions for the student by communicating with the driver or the bus garage. If the driver does not see an adult, the student will return to the Elementary School.

For safety and security purposes, elementary school children who board their assigned school bus at DES can only be dropped off at their designated drop off locations/bus stops. Elementary school children cannot exit the bus at Duanesburg High School — even to get a ride home with older siblings.

Transportation requests

The deadline for requests for bus service to non-public schools and other special requests is April 1 of each school year, or within 30 days of moving into the district. Complete the non-public school transportation request form and mail it to Tom Gordon, Transportation Supervisor, Duanesburg Central School, 133 School Drive, Delanson, NY 12053.

Alternate Transportation Requests

Parents must submit a bus pass prior to 12:30 p.m. requesting a change in transportation. The bus pass must indicate the bus change, the reason, parent/guardian signature, and a phone number for confirmation. Only emergency situations will be honored after 12:30 p.m. A student is allowed to bring up to two friends on his or her bus if those friends have permission and a bus pass issued by the main office. Any changes to the late bus list requires a pass from the supervising teacher or office.

Bus Rules of Conduct

When transporting students, the main goal of the Duanesburg Central School Board of Education is to get students safely to and from school and school related activities. To assist in monitoring bus transportation, buses may be equipped with video and audio equipment. Students are susceptible to video and audio taping whenever they are on a school bus. 

Riding the bus is a privilege. Appropriate student bus behavior is defined very succinctly for students. Students are to sit flat on the seat, sit facing the front of the bus, and ride quietly. The driver is responsible for the safety of those on the bus and, together with the school principal, shall have authority for discipline on the bus. A bus driver may assign seats to any or all students. 

When getting off the school bus and when it is necessary to cross the street, students must always cross in front of the bus under the direction of the driver. Always look both ways and do not cross the street until the school bus is stopped, all traffic has stopped, and the driver motions that it is safe. To provide visibility for the driver and the student, always cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.

Any breakage, injury, or damage to the bus or bus equipment, which is caused by a careless or willful act, shall be paid for by the offending student.

While there may be inconsistencies in the Code of Conduct and the Bus Rules of Conduct due to the differences in the environment, both the Code of Conduct and the Bus Rules of Conduct shall be considered when applying consequences for inappropriate behavior.

The responsibilities of students while being transported are:

• Comply with school rules while being transported.
• Consider the use of seatbelts; seatbelts are recommended for student safety.
• Refrain from damaging bus or bus equipment.
• Be ready in the morning at the scheduled time for the bus to arrive at your stop five minutes ahead of scheduled pickup time.
• Refrain from standing or playing in the street while awaiting the bus.
• Wait until bus has come to a stop before attempting to get on or off.
• Leave the bus only at your home stop or other stop with prior school approval.
• Limit use of headphones/earbuds to when seated on the bus, but should remove them when boarding and exiting the bus.                                    
• Abide by all rules for use of electronic devices set forth in the code of conduct provided the use does not cause a disruption to safety, privacy, or communications. Students are prohibited from any type of camera or recording use. The bus driver has the full discretion to limit use of all devices in any situation where use could be potential danger or disruption, or the student has exhibited behavior of not following rules or expectations.
• Enter or leave the bus only at the front door of vehicle except in case of emergency.
• Refrain from exchanging seats or moving around in the bus while it is in motion.
• Make room for other students to get on or off the bus, by keeping isle clear at all times.
• Refrain from extending head, arms or hands outside window of bus.
• Refrain from yelling or shouting at anyone, on the bus or out the window.
• Refrain from throwing objects in or at the bus, or out of the bus window. 
• Keep the bus clean and sanitary.
• Refrain from eating or drinking on the bus.
• Keep items carried onto the bus on the student’s lap or on the floor between their feet.

Driver safety around buses

It is illegal to pass a school bus displaying its flashing red lights—both on and off school property. The lights are displayed for student safety to indicate when students are boarding or exiting a bus. This law is strictly enforced and violators will be reported.

Each year, the district participates in Operation Safe Stop. Throughout the day in April, law enforcement officials are in full force aboard school buses and in marked and unmarked vehicles throughout the district and state—issuing tickets to drivers who pass stopped school buses with their red lights flashing.

Bus evacuation drills

Each year, the Duanesburg Central School District, in compliance with New York State Education law, holds three bus evacuation drills. During the 15-minute drills, drivers explain bus safety rules and regulations, such as proper behavior and crossing procedures as well as how to locate safety equipment and the emergency exits. Students also learn how to secure the bus, operate the two-way radio and safely evacuate the vehicle in the event of an emergency.

Non-Idling Policy

State law requires that all school buses turn off their engines when loading or unloading students on school grounds, except when necessary for heating, mechanical, or emergency reasons. The non-idling requirement applies to other school vehicles as well.