On August 20th, students in Jackson Parish will begin classes for the 2025-26 school year, meaning that once again school buses will be picking up and delivering students back home in the mornings and afternoons. 

With that in mind, Jackson Parish School Board Transportation Supervisor David Brown has issued the following statement to all residents. 

Attention, parents, guardians, drivers, and community members

Be mindful of school buses on our roads. Our district’s buses run every school day, servicing students across the community. Typically, buses begin morning routes around 6:00 a.m., with afternoon routes completing by approximately 4:30 p.m. Please remain alert—especially during morning drop‑off and afternoon pick‑up hours.

Stop for school buses. When a school bus activates its flashing red lights and extends its stop-arm, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop, unless they are separated by a raised center median.

Use alternate routes or extra caution during these times. To ease congestion, consider adjusting travel times or routes during bus-heavy periods.

Be especially cautious at bus stops. Use caution when driving through residential neighborhoods and school zones. Children may be waiting or gathering near the street, especially in low-light conditions.

Drive at appropriate speeds. Observe school zone speed limits, posted signs, and flashing lights near bus stops and schools.

Wait for children to board and disembark safely. Do not proceed until students have fully crossed the street or boarded, and the stop-arm is fully retracted.

Parents/guardians: prepare students in advance. Ensure children arrive at designated bus stops at least 5 minutes early. Encourage lining up safely away from the road, boarding in single file, and staying visible to the bus driver at all times.

Respect bus drivers and follow their instructions. They work to keep our children safe. When loading or unloading students, be considerate and follow directions to avoid distractions.

Thank you for adhering to these safety precautions so that we can help ensure that our children remain as safe as possible while being transported to and from school.