TRANSPORTATION BY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES | Administrative Guideline Manual

8650 - TRANSPORTATION BY ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES

The following guidelines are established to implement Board of Education policy on the transportation of students by alternative vehicles (hereinafter, "school vehicles"). In addition to complying with the general transportation policies and guidelines, including the bus safety procedures and bus driver procedures, individuals are required to adhere to the following procedures:

Driver Qualifications

Drivers of school vehicles shall:
1. be twenty-one (21) years of age with a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience;
2. maintain a semi-annual driving record check with:
  1. no more than six (6) points within the last twenty-four (24) months;
  2. no convictions for driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled substance during the last ten (10) years (i.e., a violation of R.C. 4511.19);
  3. not received two (2) (or more) of the following serious traffic violations as defined in R.C. 4506.01 (II) during the last twenty-four (24) month period:
    1. a single charge of any speed in excess of the posted speed limit by fifteen (15) miles per hour or more;
    2. violation of R.C. 4511.20 (i.e., operation in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property) or R.C. 4511.201 (i.e., operation off street or highway in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property) or any similar ordinance or resolution, or of any similar law of another state or political subdivision of another state;
    3. violation of a law of this state or an ordinance or resolution relating to traffic control, other than a parking violation, or of any similar law of another state or political subdivision of another state, that results in a fatal accident;
    4. violation of R.C. 4506.03 (i.e., commercial driver's license or temporary instruction requirements) or a substantially similar municipal ordinance or county or township resolution, or of any similar law of another state or political subdivision of another state, that involves the operation of a commercial motor vehicle without a valid commercial driver's license with the proper class or endorsement for the specific vehicle group being operated for the passengers or type of cargo being transported;
    5. violation of R.C. 4506.03 (i.e., commercial driver's license or temporary instruction requirements) or a substantially similar municipal ordinance or county or township resolution, or of any similar law of another state or political subdivision of another state, that involves the operation of a commercial motor vehicle without a valid commercial driver's license being in the person's possession;
    6. violation of R.C. 4511.33 (i.e., driving in marked lanes) or R.C. 4511.34 (i.e., space between moving vehicles) or any municipal ordinance or county or township resolution substantially similar to either of those sections, or any substantially similar law of another state or political subdivision of another state;
    7. violation while operating a commercial motor vehicle of a law of the state, any municipal ordinance, any county or township resolution, or any substantially similar law of another state or political subdivision of another state, which prohibits texting while driving or using a handheld mobile device (except when a person is texting or using a mobile device to contact law enforcement or other emergency services);
    8. violation of any other law of this state or ordinance or resolution relating to traffic control, other than a parking violation, that is determined to be a serious traffic violation by the United States Secretary of Transportation and the Director designates such by rule; and
  4. no railroad crossing violations during the last twelve (12) months as evidenced by a conviction, video, or a report by a railroad official;
  5. not received any violations that render the bus driver uninsurable by the District's Fleet Insurance Carrier;

as verified by a driving record obtained through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (see also, Board Policy 8600.04 for bus driver certification requirements). A driver having any of the above-referenced violations will be disqualified from operating a school vehicle. The records obtained from the semi-annual records check will be maintained for a minimum of ten (10) years.

hold a valid driver's license;
provide proof of financial responsibility or that the driver is insured by the Board to operate a school vehicle and/or school bus;
receive a satisfactory BCII report every six (6) years;

A satisfactory BCII report shall be required prior to the hiring of an individual as a new vehicle driver, along with an FBI background check (i.e., an FBI background check will also be required prior to hiring new employees (see Policy 4121 for criminal history record check requirements)). All drivers shall be enrolled in the retained applicant fingerprint database. Satisfactory shall be defined by the standards in Ohio Administrative Code 3301-83-23.
be physically qualified to drive a school vehicle (in the same manner as school bus drivers as determined by A.C. 3301-83-07), including:
1. operating a school vehicle in normal and adverse driving conditions;
2. operating a school vehicle for prolonged periods of time;
3. engaging in repetitive physical activities;
4. conducting extensive pre-trip inspections of the school vehicle;
5. assisting with the loading and unloading of passengers;
6. lifting and managing special needs and preschool children;
7. managing and securing wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment;
8. evacuating passengers in emergency situations;

Drivers of school vehicles, who are employed by entities other than the District and not subject to DEW rules, must receive the certificate described by R.C. 3327.10(B) from the school administrator to contractor prior to being employed. These drivers also must have an annual physical performed in accordance with R.C. 3327.10(B). Any driver not employed by the School District who drives a bus or vehicle owned by the District must give satisfactory and sufficient bond.

complete the following preservice training requirements:
1. a four (4) hour minimum Ohio preservice driver curriculum (or other course approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce);
2. a driving performance evaluation and review by a certified on-the-bus instructor or by a designee of the Superintendent;
3. provide evidence of training to the regional preservice instructor; and
4. possess a certificate of acknowledgment of vehicle driver training; or
5. possess a current school bus driver certificate (which shall be considered as fulfilling the above requirements);
complete two (2) hours of annual in-service training as required by the District. Failure to complete the required annual in-service training may result in the revocation of the school vehicle driver's certificate.

Vehicle Requirements

Each school vehicle shall meet the following requirements:
1. The school vehicle shall be equipped with safety equipment as follows: fire extinguisher; first-aid kit; body fluid cleanup kit; fuses and spare fuses; and emergency reflectors.
2. The school vehicle shall have a rooftop sign marked "School Transportation."
3. The name of the District shall be clearly marked on the side of the school vehicle.
4. Each school vehicle shall be inspected by a District mechanic at least twice a year. The inspection shall cover at the minimum all applicable requirements for the inspection of school buses, and periodic maintenance intervals must be established and implemented. Documentation and proof of such inspections and service procedures, in addition to all other required school vehicle records, shall be kept on file with the District's transportation department.
5. School vehicle drivers shall complete and document a daily pre-trip inspection prior to operating the school vehicle.
6. Loading school vehicles shall be in compliance with the passenger, weight, and other associated restrictions as identified by the original equipment manufacturer.

Vehicle Driver Procedures
1. Specific Responsibilities:
  1. conduct pre-trip inspection of school vehicle prior to every trip;
  2. prepare a trip ticket/travel certificate prior to transporting students that includes the following information:
    1. school vehicle number;
    2. date and time of trip (i.e., departure and return times);
    3. destination;
    4. purpose/group being transported;
    5. number of students on trip;
    6. name of advisor/teacher/chaperone of trip;
    7. name of driver;
    8. directions/proposed route;
    9. total miles;
    10. meal stops planned, if applicable;
    11. emergency contact/phone number;
    12. signature of Superintendent;
    13. use established routes and designated stops;
    14. operate vehicle on approved time schedule;
    15. report vehicle accidents and student injuries to authorities;
    16. conduct emergency evacuation drills in keeping with school policies;
    17. instruct riders regarding being responsible passengers;
    18. drive defensively under varying traffic conditions and inclement weather;
    19. drive with safety of riders as first priority;
    20. report personal absences in time for supervisor to secure substitute driver;
    21. report on and off the job at the proper time;
    22. maintain personal fitness - emotional stability and physical capacity;
    23. perform vehicle housekeeping duties;
    24. never leave the vehicle when students are present;
    25. never leave the keys in the vehicle;
    26. fill fuel tank as required;
    27. report vehicle defects to supervisor;
    28. establish favorable working relationships with other drivers, maintenance personnel, teachers, students, principals, and total school staff;
    29. exhibit positive image as loyal representative of the School District;
    30. participate in taking extra trips according to the established procedure;
    31. observe all procedures contained in State guidelines and the bus/vehicle driver's manual.
2. Specific Performance Abilities:
  1. operate all vehicle types used in transporting students in the School District;
  2. know the transportation policy as it pertains to the riding area of the School District;
  3. demonstrate knowledge of administrative guidelines as made by local, State, and Federal authorities;
  4. deal with behavioral characteristics of riders;
  5. administer disciplinary procedures in keeping with school policies;
  6. be alert and exercise good judgment concerning emergencies, disabled vehicles, and irregular special requests by parents of riders;
  7. know location of and be able to use and/or operate the emergency and first-aid equipment.