Frequently Asked Questions

Who provides transportation for ISD 728 students?

ISD 728 contracts with Vision of Elk River, Inc. (“Vision Transportation”) to provide transportation to area students. The mission of ISD 728 and Vision Transportation is to support the education process by transporting students safely, securely, reliably and in a timely manner to and from school and school events. Our goal is to operate safe, dependable and cost-effective transportation services for our students. We want the student’s ride to be part of a positive educational experience.

How will I know which bus my student takes?

Parents/guardians of students attending District 728 schools receive an email around the third week of August each year directing them to the District’s Parent Portal for bus stop locations, bus numbers and route times for the school their student attends.
Occasionally, busing information may need to be adjusted after this initial contact, therefore parents are encouraged to verify this information before the first day of school. Please refer to Busing Guidelines for daycare or alternative pick up and/or drop off locations.

What’s allowed on a bus?

Students may bring small musical instruments that can be held on a student's lap or between their legs during the bus ride.
Toys may be carried on the bus if they are kept in a student’s backpack, but can not be used during the ride to or from school. The goal is for students to have a safe and respectful ride to and from school.
Some objects are never allowed on the bus, including:
- Weapons, explosives, flammable materials
- Live animals or insects
- Glass items
- Large recreational/sports items (golf clubs, bats, hockey/lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets, etc.)
- Musical instruments that are too large to be held on the lap or in the seat.
- Any items of dangerous or objectionable nature as determined by the District.
Food and drink are discouraged due to student allergies and safety concerns.

When and how will I be notified of busing changes?

How are busing delays communicated?

Please understand that bus pick-up and drop-off times are based on good weather and ideal road conditions. Traffic congestion, road construction, and inclement weather may cause delays in pick-up and drop-off times.
In the event the bus will be significantly delayed, transportation will send parent notifications to the primary contact listed in the District’s Parent Portal using an automated system.
To view and/or update your current contact information and preferences visit Parent Portal for details.

What is the maximum length of time for a bus route?

Why do some students have to cross the street to board the bus?

Why do some buses look empty?

The bus seems very full. Why are there so many students on this route?

A standard bus is rated for 77 elementary students and transportation aims to load buses to 95% of the appropriate-rated capacity whenever possible.
Elementary students (K-5) are expected to sit 3 to a seat and secondary students (6-12) are expected to sit (at least) 2 to a seat. Stated differently, buses are routed to have 73 students on an elementary route and 50 students on a secondary route to maintain proper capacity.

What should I do if the bus doesn’t show up?

Student pick-up and drop-off times should remain fairly consistent after the first two weeks of school. Every effort will be made to ensure a bus will be at your stop. Circumstances beyond control could make the bus late occasionally. Vehicle breakdowns, impassable roads, emergencies or drivers becoming ill are just a few reasons that could make the bus late.
The District utilizes the StopFinder parent app to provide the most accurate and up to date routing details for all students. An invite is needed to utilize the app and connect parents/guardians to their specific students information.
If the wait is longer than fifteen minutes, a notification will be sent using the District's automated system.

Can my student still ride the bus if my daycare is across district lines or outside of the assigned school boundary?

I operate a home childcare and the state requires me to be able to see the children. Can a bus stop be set up at my home?

What do I need to do so my student will have a successful bus ride to/from school?

Arrange for your student to be at their bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. Monitor students from damaging the property of others at the bus stop.
Be aware that the bus will pick up and drop off students at the same stop every day school is in session.
Help your student learn their route numbers and appropriate paths to/from the bus stop to home.
Review the bus safety rules outlined in the Bus Safety Information with your student.
Accompany younger riders to the bus stop and meet the bus at the end of the day for the first days of school, or arrange for an older student or childcare provider to be at the bus stop for the first days of school.
For preschool students, a parent, responsible adult or childcare provider is expected to meet the bus when it arrives to pick-up or drop off the student.

What determines a bus stop?

The goal is to consistently identify bus stops in neighborhoods based on safety, efficiency, least cost, and shortest overall ride times.
Bus stops are central to where all of the students are coming from and may not be able to be viewed from each house. Some house stops are made on very busy roads. Child care providers carry the same responsibility as parents/guardians and are responsible for ensuring that students arrive safely at their assigned stop.
Generally, buses do not travel into cul-de-sacs or dead-end roads because of lack of safe access or the ability of the bus to turn around.
Please see Busing Guidelines for specific grade levels.

Can I make changes to my students route?

If you move during the school year, have a change in daycare locations, or wish to begin riding the bus, please complete a new K-12 Student Transportation Information Form through Parent Portal. Navigate to 'Message Center' and then 'Surveys'. If your student is attending a preschool program, please visit Discovery Learning Preschool for details.
Allow 7-10 school days for the adjustment and watch Parent Portal for new routing information to become available. Details are viewable under 'More' and then 'Transportation.'
NOTE: Temporary route changes will not be honored. When making a change, the student must ride for at least twenty (20) consecutive school days before another change can be made.

Can my student ride home with a friend or get off the bus somewhere other than their stop?

CONTACT US

Questions about Bus Stops, Routes or Submitting Information:

ISD 728 Transportation
(763) 274-7238
helpdesk.transportation@isd728.org

Kari Schugel
ISD 728 Transportation Operations Manager
(763) 241-3477
kari.schugel@isd728.org

To report a student will not ride, call:

Vision Transportation
(763) 441-4420

QUICK LINKS

PARENT PORTAL TRANSpORtATION FORM stopfinder app busing guidelines frequently asked questions bus safety SPECIAL EDUCATION TRAnSPORTATION district boundary map SCHOOL FINDER

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