Transportation and Safety
SAFETY
Tim Foley
Safety Director
389 E. Jackson St, Martinsville, IN 46151
Phone 765-342-6641
The safety of our students is most important to us as a district. Our goal is for each child to thrive in a positive and safe educational environment. Each year our district invests in new technology, implements new procedures, and attends professional development seminars in an effort to stay ahead of any unforeseen situation and protect our district. We have implemented a visitor check-in system at all schools, added more video cameras, renovated entryway doors, were one of the first schools in the state to request hand-held, metal detectors offered by Governor Holcomb’s office, and most recently added a 3rd fulltime resource (police) officer to our district.
Our students engage in fire, tornado, and safety drills which is not only mandated by the Indiana Department of Education but the right thing to do. We do not usually discuss our safety drills for the purpose of keeping our procedures away from those who may not have good intentions.
Inclement Weather Procedures
When there is a possibility of snow or ice, our MSD of Martinsville team will begin driving roads between 4:00 am and 4:30 am. They will focus on the main, public roads in our district. With the short amount of time before a decision must be made and with over 300 miles of roads in our district, unfortunately, the team cannot drive on every road. Once the team checks conditions, they will meet at 5:15 am. A decision to either call off or delay school will be made by 5:30 am.
If school is canceled or delayed, we will begin the following communication procedures:
- Dr. Moore will post the news first on Twitter. Please follow her at @drmichelemoore
- We will begin notifying staff and parents through a mass phone call using our school messenger program. Telephone numbers are generated from Skyward Family Access. Please check Skyward to ensure your number is up-to-date so you will receive the message.
- We will have our closing and weather delay information on the following stations and social media:
- WCBK radio
- WISH-8 TV
- WRTV-6 TV
- WTHR-13 TV
- FOX-59 TV
- Facebook – MSD of Martinsville
As a district, we take your child’s safety seriously and will make a decision about school delays as early as possible. I encourage you as a family to sit down with your children and develop an emergency weather plan that addresses two issues:
- What should your child do if school dismisses early due to freezing rain or snow?
- What happens when there is a two-hour delay if you are both working parents?
We find that when parents have a plan and discuss it with their child beforehand, it helps alleviate stress if school begins late or is dismissed early.
Two-Hour Delays
In the event that a two-hour delay is needed, we will use the same communication procedures listed above.
Both the wind speed and temperature will be taken into account to determine if a weather-related delay is necessary. If temperatures drop below zero, please do not assume we will have a two-hour delay. The wind will play just as important a part as temperature.
We reference the weather chart from the National Weather Service as a starting point for our decision-making process, http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/cold/wind_chill.shtml
Replay District Messages
Parents can replay automated messages from the district by calling 765-343-7001.
TRANSPORTATION
Dennis Mills
Transportation Director
389 E. Jackson, Martinsville, IN 46151
Phone 765-342-5597 | Fax 765-349-5268
Bus transportation is available to students living in Baker, Clay, Green, Jefferson, Ray, and Washington Townships.
MSD of Martinsville Schools
Elementary
- Brooklyn STEM Academy
- Centerton Elementary
- Green Township Elementary
- Paragon Elementary
- Poston Road Elementary
- Smith Fine Arts Academy
- South Elementary
Intermediate
Ronald K. Bell Intermediate Academy
Middle
John R. Wooden Middle School
High School/Alternative
Martinsville High School
Hammons Alternative School
Student Health or Safety Concerns
Please contact your driver or the transportation department should you have any concerns about your student. Sharing this information with us will allow for increased awareness.
Address/Assigned School
The MSD of Martinsville attendance area is an address in Baker, Clay, Green, Jefferson, Ray and Washington Townships. Please contact the Transportation Department at 765-342-5597 to determine which elementary school serves that address.
Bus Zones
A 1.5-mile walk zone has been established for the MSD of Martinsville. Shuttle areas have reduced this distance for grades 6-12. Please see shuttle page for shuttle options. Please contact the transportation department to determine if an address has bus transportation.
Activity Routes
Three routes are available to transport students involved in after-school activities. Please see the description listed below. Activity routes utilize group stops. The door to door stops are not available to all locations.
Bus 41
Arrives at Bell Intermediate Academy at 4:25 pm on Columbus Street near the lighted sign. It then leaves and travels to Martinsville High School on the circle drive. Departs and travels the following roads: E. Morgan, SR 37 N, Old SR 37 (Marathon), Egbert Road, Fire Station Road, Green Township School, Maple Grove to Cope Road. Lastly, Cope Road to SR 44 and SR 44 to SR 37.
Bus 55
Arrives at Bell Intermediate Academy at 4:25 pm on Columbus Street near the lighted sign. Travels to circle drive at MHS. Travel locations include East Shore Drive (Lake Edgewood) to Wilbur Road at Lake Edgewood to SR 67. SR 67 to Milhon Road to Robb Hill to SR 67. Centerton Road to Centerton School and then SR 67 to Brooklyn. Old SR 67 to Brooklyn stopping at Mill and Main, Church and Knox and then Old SR 67 to SR 67.
Bus 58
Arrives at John R. Wooden Middle School at 4:25 pm in the area of the cafeteria. Travels to circle drive at MHS and students can transfer to bus 17 or 41. SR 67 to Brown’s Crossing and then south to Paragon. Stops at store and elementary school in Paragon. Returns to Martinsville and travels south on SR 37 to Legendary Hills, Liberty Church Rd and Old SR 37 across from Turkey Track.
Bus Rules
Students on buses should conduct themselves in the same manner as in the classroom. A brochure is distributed during the year with several rules and procedures listed. That brochure is available in the forms section.
Should a problem arise the bus driver may contact the parent, school principal, or issue a written School Bus Conduct report. The report will be sent home with the student for a parental signature. The seriousness of the conduct and/or the number of previous reports determine the next actions taken.
Please contact the driver, transportation director, or school principal should you have a question or concern.
The following rules are posted on the bus. The bus is also equipped with video/audio recording equipment.
- Observe the same conduct as in the classroom.
- Be courteous, use no profane language.
- Do not eat or drink on the bus.
- Keep the bus clean.
- Cooperate with the driver.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not be destructive.
- Stay in your seat.
- Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus.
- The bus driver is authorized to assign seats.
Guest Riders
Guest riders are not allowed on several routes due to capacity issues. Please check with the driver in advance. Guest riders must have a parental note that includes the name of the student assigned to the bus, the guest rider’s name, date, and parental signature. Multiple guests may not be allowed due to capacity issues. Shuttle students in grades 6-12 may not have guest riders.
Bus Schedule
Students should report to the designated stop 5 minutes early. The driver may, but is not required to wait at the stop. Stop location, traffic conditions and route schedule may prevent the driver from waiting extended periods of time.
Employment/Training Opportunities
The MSD of Martinsville Transportation Department is available to assist you in obtaining your Commercial Driver License to operate a school bus. There are several required steps listed below that will require your attention and efforts. The department will assist you and successful applicants will be reimbursed for several costs if you remain with the department as a driver employed by the MSD of Martinsville.
Many MSD of Martinsville drivers began as substitute drivers. Substitute drivers earn $80 per day. Most drivers for the district have double runs and earn between $81.78 and $102.57 daily. Insurance and PERF are available for district drivers.
Please contact the department if you are interested or if you have any questions.
Requirements include:
- Pass all required written BMV tests.
- Obtain an approved physical from a certified medical examiner.
- Pass Third Party Skills Test and Road Test.
- Pass Pre-Employment Drug Screening and be placed in testing pool.
- Pass Criminal History Check.
- Obtain Standard Certificate by completing 3 day course.
- Complete 4 observation hours and 8 driving hours with another driver.
- Pass Driver Performance Physical Standards.
- Complete designated training as needed at the department.