Who is eligible for transportation to and from school?
Any student who resides within the Republic R-III School District boundary is eligible for bus transportation.

In the past, the actual pick-up or drop-off times have changed after the start-of-school. Why?
The bus stop times for the start of school may change throughout the school year as new students are enrolled or the route is changed. If the time change will be more than 10 minutes, written notification will be sent home with the student.

Is my child allowed to wait in a car or home until the bus arrives?
Students are expected to be at their stop at least 10 minutes before their scheduled pick-up time. The bus could arrive up to 10 minutes early on some days depending on who may or may not be riding.

What if my bus has not arrived 10-15 minutes past the scheduled pick-up time?
Please be patient. You may want to call the transportation office to check on the status of the bus or bring your student to school yourself. At the beginning of the school year, bus drivers are familiarizing themselves with the route. This means that the route may take longer the first few days of the school year.

The bus passes by my house on the way to a stop up the street. Why can’t it just stop at my house?
The District transports more than 3,000 students every day, so it is impossible to provide door-to-door service to everyone and do it in a timely manner. In most neighborhoods, it is more efficient to pick up several students at one stop, usually at a corner or other mid-way point for the students.

How are bus stops determined?
Several factors go into determining appropriate bus stop locations. These factors include, but are not limited to, the number of students on the route, location of residence, and age of the students. There are state laws mandating the length between stops that the District must adhere to. Common bus stop locations are necessary to ensure that the District is operating the Transportation Department in the most efficient, cost-effective manner.

Is my child allowed to ride a bus home with a friend?
For safety reasons, the district does not allow students to ride home with one another. Please be advised that notes from parents will not be accepted by our drivers and you will be asked to pick up your student at the school.

We have moved and need bus information for our new address. Who do I contact?
All transfers and/or address changes should be reported to the student’s school. Transportation cannot be scheduled until the Transportation Department receives an updated student record with the new school assignment or new home address. The Transportation Department does not have the ability to make address changes. Address changes must be submitted through the school.

We are purchasing a home in Republic. How do I find out which elementary my child will attend?
You may contact the Transportation Department at 417.732.3680. Please be sure to have the full address that is recognized by the United States Postal Service.

I live in an apartment complex. Why does my child have to walk to the main road to catch the bus?
The roadways through many apartment complexes are too narrow to safely accommodate a large school bus. If you see a bus going into an apartment or condominium complex, chances are it is a Special Education or Special Services bus. We are required by law to provide home transportation to students receiving these services.

My child has special needs. Who do I contact to make transportation arrangements?
If your child is in Special Education, Pre-K, or qualifies for Special Services, transportation arrangements must be made through the office from which your child receives these services. Please contact the Special Education Office at 417.735.3715 or the Early Childhood Center at 417.735.3670.

My child did not get off the bus at his/her stop. What do I do?
You should contact your child’s school immediately to make sure he or she got on the bus after school. If your child did get on the bus as usual, you or the school can contact the Transportation Department at 417.732.3680 and our dispatchers will immediately check with the bus driver to see if your child missed his or her stop. Each driver has a list of students eligible to ride his or her bus and is expected to let students off only at their assigned stops. Please explain to your child that he or she is to get on and off the bus ONLY at the assigned stop.

What qualifications do bus drivers have to have?
In order to qualify to drive a school bus, a person must be at least 21 years old, possess a valid Missouri Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) with Passenger (P), school bus driver (S) endorsements, and must have a safe driving record. In addition, prospective drivers must pass the State Department of Education approved physical examination. The driver must pass the medical exam each year in accordance with State guidelines. Bus driver candidates also undergo a thorough criminal background check. Training assistance is available through the Transportation Department.

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