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Ross Local School District

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Transportation

Transportation

Children walk near a yellow school bus, preparing for the school day.

The Ross Local School District Transportation Department is proud to be the first and last school experience each day for the many Ross Rams who ride our buses. We take that responsibility seriously, and the safety of our student riders is our top priority every single day. Our dedicated team of drivers and support staff work hard to ensure that students arrive at school and return home safely, on time, and ready to learn.

If you are a current Ross family and have any questions about your child's transportation to or from school, we encourage you to reach out to our Transportation Department. We're here to help and are committed to providing safe, reliable service for every student we serve.

A woman with blonde hair smiles at the camera.

Mrs. Tina Sefton

513-738-2900

Email Mrs. Sefton

Transportation Services & Support

Children walk on a sidewalk near school buses, preparing to board.

  • All RLSD Transportation Bus routes are shared prior to the school year at the link below. Please note that changes to bus routes are necessary and frequent, with even one change impacting the entire bus or multiple routes. We appreciate your patience as our Transportation Team works diligently to accommodate all of our families’ transportation needs.

    Current Year Bus Routes

  • What are the Transportation Office hours?

    Our Transportation Department operates from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Staff remain available until all buses have completed their routes and students have been safely delivered.

    Who is eligible for bus transportation?

    Bus transportation is provided for students grades K-12 who reside in the Ross Local school district and attend one of the following schools: 

    1. Ross high school
    2. Ross middle school
    3. Ross intermediate school
    4. Elda elementary school
    5. Morgan elementary school
    6. Butler Tech main campus
    7. Badin high school
    8. St. Joseph consolidated school
    9. Queen of Peace catholic school

    For a full list of Transportation frequently asked questions, please follow the link below.

    Transportation FAQs

  • Students in kindergarten through 8th grade who will ride the bus to and/or from their home address do not need to register for transportation or submit a special request—routes are automatically assigned and will be shared on this page prior to the school year beginning.

    However, families must complete the appropriate Transportation Request Form by July 1 each year in the following scenarios:

    1. All Ross High School students (grades 9–12) must request transportation.
      Submit a RHS Transportation Request
       
    2. All vocational students (e.g., attending Butler Tech, Project Life & Search) must request transportation.
      Submit a Vocational School Transportation Request
       
    3. All private school students who reside in the Ross Local School District must request transportation.
      Submit a Private School Transportation Request
       
    4. Any student who requires pickup or drop-off at an address other than their home (e.g., daycare or babysitter’s house) must request special transportation.
      Special Transportation Request

    Submitting requests on time (by July 1 prior to the school year beginning) ensures your child is routed appropriately for the start of the school year. Late requests may delay transportation availability.

    By submitting this form you are obligating your student to ride a Ross Local School Bus for their primary transportation. Please understand that failure to consistently ride the school bus will result in the termination of their bus service for the period in which you submitted your transportation request. However, if you find your student needs transportation at a later date, you can submit another request form.

  • Ross Local School District is proud to serve all students residing within our district boundaries—including those who attend private schools. As part of our responsibility as a public school district, we provide transportation to and from private schools located within a reasonable distance, as defined by Ohio law.

    To ensure safe and timely transportation arrangements, families of students attending private schools must submit a transportation request each year. If your child will require bus service for the upcoming school year, please complete the Private School Transportation Request Form no later than July 1.

    Use the link below to access the form and help us plan routes that best serve our entire community. If you have questions, our Transportation Department is here to help.

    Submit a Private School Transportation Request

  • Each year, the Ross Local School District Transportation Team undertakes the complex and critical task of designing efficient, safe, and cost-effective bus routes for our students. With over 5 routes per day for many of our buses—including routes for each school building and midday routes for kindergarten—every detail matters. The goal is to ensure that every student who rides the bus experiences a safe, timely, and smooth journey to and from school, as well as to after-school events and programs.

    Behind the scenes, this work involves months of careful planning and coordination. Route adjustments—even small ones—can have a ripple effect, impacting every family whose child rides that particular bus and sometimes even neighboring routes. Similarly, road closures and construction don’t just affect homes in the immediate area—they require re-routing and schedule adjustments that touch multiple buses and families. That’s why thoughtful planning, proactive communication, and community cooperation are essential to our success.

    We are proud of our dedicated Transportation Team, whose tireless efforts help ensure that Ross Rams get where they need to go safely, efficiently, and with fiscal responsibility in mind. From morning pickups to after-school drop-offs, their commitment reflects the care we take in making transportation a positive part of every student's school day.

Bus Behavior & Safety

  • Student safety begins the moment they step onto the bus. Inside the bus, students are expected to remain seated, facing forward, with their belongings secured and out of the aisle. The bus driver’s focus must remain on the road, so minimizing distractions is key. Students should speak in quiet voices, avoid horseplay, and follow all instructions from the driver promptly. Emergency exits should never be tampered with, and all students should be familiar with basic bus safety procedures practiced during school-wide bus safety drills. Keeping our buses safe inside helps ensure a smooth, secure ride for all Ross Rams.

  • Many of the most serious bus-related incidents happen outside the bus. That’s why it’s essential that students remain alert and follow safety guidelines while entering and exiting. Students should always wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the street and should stay at least 10 giant steps in front of the bus so they can be seen. Running toward or behind the bus is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all times. Parents, please help by modeling safe behavior at bus stops and reinforcing these expectations at home. Safety outside the bus is everyone’s responsibility.

  • For our youngest learners, extra precautions are in place to keep them safe. A parent, guardian, or designated other must be physically present at the bus stop for a kindergartener to be released from the bus in the afternoon. If no adult is visible, the driver will return the child to school, and the parent will need to arrange pickup. This policy ensures that our kindergarten students are never left alone or in unsafe situations. Thank you for helping us keep our littlest Rams safe and secure during their transition to and from school.

  • Good behavior on the bus is not just about courtesy—it’s about safety. The bus is an extension of the school day, and students are expected to follow the same behavior guidelines they would in the classroom. Respectful, calm conduct allows the driver to focus on the road and ensures a safe, distraction-free environment for all. Students should treat their peers, the driver, and the bus itself with care. Positive bus behavior helps every student arrive at school and home safely and reinforces the values we uphold throughout Ross Local Schools.

  • At Ross Local School District, our bus drivers are more than just drivers—they are trained professionals committed to student safety and care. Every school bus driver in Ohio must hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a school bus (S) and passenger (P) endorsement, as required by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW). In addition to meeting federal and state driving standards, each driver undergoes a comprehensive background check, physical examination, and drug screening prior to employment.

    Physical examinations are done annually before each school year. Drivers are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing throughout the school year.

    But the training doesn’t stop there. Our drivers complete pre-service training before ever driving a route, and they participate in annual in-service training to stay current on safety protocols, defensive driving techniques, student management strategies, and emergency response procedures. Every six years, drivers must complete re-certification requirements, which include both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel evaluations.

    Ross bus drivers also adhere to strict state and federal transportation regulations at all times, including limits on hours behind the wheel, vehicle inspection routines, and procedures for transporting students with special needs. We are proud of the professionalism and dedication our drivers bring to the job each day—they are truly a vital part of our Ross education community.

Children walk along a sidewalk near school buses, smiling and carrying backpacks.