8600 - TRANSPORTATION

It is the policy of the Board of Education to provide transportation for those students whose distance from their school makes this service necessary and in all other cases required by Federal or State law or regulations. The District shall provide transportation for resident regular education students attending nonpublic schools within or outside the District as necessary to comply with State law and the regulations of the State Board of Education.

School buses and student-transportation vehicles, whether purchased, leased, or contracted for, shall be maintained by the District for the transportation of resident students in accordance with State law No vehicle shall be purchased or used to transport students for which there is no applicable, passenger-protection, Federal motor-vehicle safety standards.

All school buses and student-transportation vehicles, whether purchased, leased, or contracted for shall comply with specifications defined in State law. Each operator of a school vehicle used by the District shall be licensed for the purpose for which the vehicle is being used and shall operate the vehicles in accordance with Federal and State laws. The license, a medical examiners certificate, and record of continuing education must be in the driver's possession when driving.

Transportation of eligible vocational or special education children between their home areas and schools outside the District shall be arranged through the use of District-owned vehicles, through cooperation with other districts, through commercial carriers, and/or by other means in the most efficient and economical manner.

The Board reserves the right to terminate transportation based on financial, legal, or other considerations. Additionally, it is a privilege for students to ride a District vehicle and this privilege may be revoked if the student's conduct is in violation of the Superintendent's administrative guidelines or the Code of Conduct pertaining to student transportation.

The Board authorizes the Superintendent to install and operate video cameras on District buses to enhance student safety and well- being. S/He shall establish appropriate administrative guidelines for the proper use of the cameras.

Students meeting the Federal definition of "homeless" will be transported from their temporary place of residence to their school of assignment, at the request of the parent, guardian or unaccompanied minor, to the same extent as all other students of the District and consistent with this policy. If the homeless student's temporary residence is located outside the boundaries of the District, the Liaison for Homeless Children will coordinate with the Director of Transportation to contact the District in which the student temporarily resides to arrange for joint transportation of the student and to seek inter-district agreement on a method for apportioning the cost of such joint transportation. In no event will a homeless student be denied enrollment based on issues related to student transportation.

Similarly, the District shall provide transportation for children in foster care consistent with the procedures developed by the District in collaboration with the State or local child welfare agency. These requirements apply whether or not the LEA already provides transportation for children who are not in foster care. (Policy 5111.03)

In order for a student in foster care to remain in his/her school of origin, when in his/her best interest, transportation services shall be provided, arranged, and funded for the duration of the child’s placement in foster care.

Since foster care placements may occur across District, county, or State boundary lines, coordination among multiple agencies may be necessary. The District will work with appropriate State and local agencies to address such placement and transportation issues that arise. The District shall provide or arrange for adequate and appropriate transportation to and from the school of origin while any disputes are being resolved.

The Superintendent shall establish administrative guidelines to ensure proper implementation of this policy.

© Neola 2020