ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION METHODS | Policy Manual

8660 - ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION METHODS

For purposes of this policy, "regular transportation" or "regular use" means transportation to and from school or school-related activities which are part of a scheduled series or sequence of events to the same location.
Regular Transportation - In School Buses
1. The Board may use school buses, as defined in Florida statutes, for all regular transportation of students, pre-kindergarten through grade 12. School buses are to be used whenever practical.
Regular Transportation - In Other Vehicles
1. Regular transportation of students in motor vehicles other than school buses may occur only under the following conditions:
  1. when transportation is for physically handicapped or isolated students and the Board has elected to provide for the transportation of the student through written contracts or agreements.
  2. when the transportation is part of a comprehensive contract for a specialized educational program between the Board and a service provider for instruction, transportation, and other services.
  3. when the transportation is provided through a public transit system.
  4. when the transportation is for trips to and from school sites or agricultural education sites or for trips to and from agricultural education-related events or competitions but is not customary transportation between a student's residence and such sites.
  5. when the transportation is for trips to and from school sites but is not customary transportation between a student's residence and such sites.
2. When the regular transportation of students is provided, as authorized above, in a vehicle other than a school bus that is owned, operated, rented, contracted, or leased by the District, the following provisions shall apply:
  1. The vehicle must be designed to transport fewer than ten (10) students or be a multifunction school activity bus, as defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 571.3, if it is designed to transport more than ten (10) persons. Students must be transported in designated seating positions and must use the occupant crash protection system provided by the manufacturer unless the student’s physical condition prohibits such use.
  2. An authorized vehicle may not be driven by a student on a public right-of-way. An authorized vehicle may be driven by a student on school or private property as part of the student’s educational curriculum if no other student is in the vehicle.
  3. The driver of an authorized vehicle transporting students must maintain a valid driver's license and must comply with the requirements of the School District’s locally adopted safe driver plan, which includes a review of driving records for disqualifying violations.
Transportation by Private Vehicles
1. Transportation of students in private vehicles may be authorized by the principal on a case-by-case basis only under the following conditions:
  1. When a student is ill or injured and must be taken home or to a medical treatment facility under non-emergency circumstances and
  2. the school has been unable to contact the student's parent or guardian, or such parent, guardian, or responsible adult designated by the parent or guardian is not available to provide the transportation; and
  3. proper adult supervision of the student is available at the location to which the student is being transported; and
  4. the transportation is approved by the school principal or designee; and
  5. if the school had been unable to contact the parent or guardian prior to the transportation, the school continues to attempt to contact the parent or guardian until the school is able to notify the parent or guardian of the transportation and the circumstances.
  6. When the transportation is in connection with a school function or event in which the school has undertaken to participate and
  7. the function is a single event which is not part of a scheduled series or sequence of events to the same location; such as, but not limited to, a field trip, recreational outing, a competitive or cooperative event, or an event connected to an educational program; and
  8. transportation is not available, as a practical matter, using a school bus or Board passenger car; and
  9. each student's parent or guardian is notified in writing about the transportation arrangement and gives written consent before a student is transported in a private vehicle.
  10. When Board employees are required to use their own vehicle to perform duties of employment and such duties include the occasional transportation of students.
2. Any private vehicle used to transport students under this policy shall be currently registered in the State of Florida, be insured for personal injury protection and property damage liability in at least the minimum amounts required by law, and be in good working order. A Board employee, parent, or other adult wishing to transport students in a private vehicle will request approval by submitting his/her driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance ID card along with the completed Form 8660 F1 to the principal in a reasonable amount of time before the planned travel. The principal will follow the established procedure to determine whether approval of the request to transport students in a private vehicle is appropriate.
3. Student transportation in private vehicles may only be authorized for trips within the State of Florida. A student who is transported to an activity in a private vehicle approved under this policy shall return from the activity in the same vehicle unless the student is released to his/her parent.
Insurance/Liability
1. Board employees will be covered by the Board's liability program when they are transporting students as part of their assigned or related duties. Benefits due from private vehicle insurance will be primary, except for workers' compensation, in accordance with State law.
2. Parents or other adults are not covered by the Board's liability program when they are transporting students and, therefore, must have adequate insurance during the time that the vehicle is being used to transport students.
Emergency Threat to Student Health or Safety
1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this policy, in an emergency situation which constitutes an imminent threat to student health or safety, school personnel may take whatever action is necessary under the circumstances to protect students.
2. Any violation of this policy may subject an employee to discipline up to and including termination from employment.

Revised 4/28/09
Revised 8/09
Revised 7/22/14
Revised 3/12/24