8615 - IDLING SCHOOL BUSES AND OTHER IDLING VEHICLES ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

The Corporation seeks to limit vehicle emissions that might be brought into school corporation buildings to reduce exposure to these emissions and to improve indoor air quality for students, staff, and visitors. This guideline applies to all public and private vehicles on any school property and to school buses while transporting students at any time.

The school shall post signs in areas where idling is prohibited. Drivers of vehicles are to turn off the engine if the vehicle is to be stopped for more than five (5) minutes.

Exceptions to this guideline include, but are not limited to:

1. Safety of children or emergencies
    
   1. use of lift equipment during loading of individuals with special needs
   2. use of defroster, heater, air conditioning, or other equipment during loading or unloading for health or safety concerns
   3. use of bus headlights or flasher warning lights for safety or visibility purposes
   4. other safety or emergency issues
2. Hot or cold weather
    
   1. during hot weather and the bus has air conditioning to keep students cool while on the bus
   2. during cold weather to warm the bus (this should be done outside the school zone)
3. Maintenance operations
    
   1. buses may idle as necessary as part of a pre-safety inspection
   2. if necessary to make emergency repairs to vehicles

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s initiative to reduce air pollution from diesel school buses, all bus drivers shall adhere to the following procedures:

1. Limit idling time during early morning and/or afternoon warm-up to the time recommended by the manufacturer or as established by the Director of Transportation.
2. Turn off buses upon arrival at the unloading/loading area at any school and do not start them until it is time to depart from the unloading/loading area.
3. Adhere to the preceding procedures not only at the school when transporting students on field trips but also at the site of the field trip.
4. Wait in the designated, heated area inside the school until it is time to load instead of on the bus if you arrive early for a scheduled run.
5. Inform your supervisor if it is necessary to have your bus’ engine idling in order to operate the flashing lights.

The staff will be informed of this guideline at the start of each school year. Parents and students will be informed of this guideline at the start of each school year at annual orientations or through student/parent handbooks.

Complaints of non-compliance are to be filed with the Director of Facilities.