Ennis ISD is pleased to provide quality educational services for your children. Our mission in Special Needs Transportation is to ensure your child arrives at school and returns home safely with care and thought given to his/her individual needs. Our success is a result of our commitment, skill, knowledge, understanding, and ability to communicate. All drivers and assistants participate in in-service training to expand and improve their driving skills and upgrade their knowledge of helping children with special needs.

There are currently 22 buses transporting students with special needs. In our system, everyone works hard to communicate needs and changes. When changes occur, routes must be revised and time changes communicated to all parents. Please plan to transport your child to and from school the first three (3) days after the Admissions, Review, and Dismissal Committee (ARD) meeting. All paperwork regarding transportation must be turned into the Transportation Office before the starting date can be set. After the ARD arrives, the driver or the Transportation Office will call you within two (3) days to:

1. Introduce the driver and bus assistant.
2. Inform the parent how to contact Transportation.
3. Establish times and locations for your child's pick-up and drop-off.

As a parent, you can help support our mission by:

• Attending your child's ARD committee meetings and Annual Reviews.
• Completing the Special Needs Transportation Information Sheet.
• Having your child ready to board the bus five (5) minutes before the scheduled pick up time each morning.
• Being at the bus stop five (5) minutes prior to bus arrival. Drivers will not release the child until they see the responsible person at the stop.
• Calling the Transportation Office at (ext. 7354) and making an appointment to speak with the driver rather than delay them en route to transport other students.
• Notifying the Transportation Office as early as possible when your child will not be attending school. Failure to ride 3 consecutive days without notice, will result in the suspension of service until the parent/guardian calls the Transportation Office and reinstates the service.
• Sharing information with the driver and/or assistant regarding changes in schedule, medical status, or major personal disruptions that would seriously affect your child's behavior.
• Communicating in writing any medical information, medication, or student health status changes which would affect your child's transportation.
• Being open to information from the driver or assistant regarding their observations and concerns.
• Making sure your child goes to the restroom before boarding the bus.
• Students who are unable to utilize the bus steps, as stated in their ARD Transportation Services form, will be transported in an approved wheelchair to ensure safety. All wheelchairs must have properly operating lock brakes, footrests, armrests, and a safety belt. No student will be physically carried on or off the bus by the bus driver or assistant.