Student Transportation Services

Transportation Request Procedure

Transportation is a related service that is provided for special education students as delineated in their IEPs. Arrangements for student transportation take approximately two weeks from the date the request is made by the school. To arrange for Curb-to-Curb transportation, the following procedures need to be completed:

1. School submits a request for transportation to the District Student Transportation Services Office using Form ST-11. Form ST-11 may be faxed to expedite the request.
2. Student Transportation Services Office reviews the request and assigns it to the appropriate bus company.
3. Bus company assigns the student to a specified bus route and determines pick-up time.
4. Bus company informs the parent(s) and school of starting date and pick-up time as soon as the bus route is established.
5. Bus company informs the parent(s) of estimated length of travel time and transfers, if any.

Special Instructions

Use the ST-11 form to notify the Student Transportation Services office, who will inform the bus company, bus driver and bus aide, of a student’s special needs and instructions for a student’s safety and welfare. Examples of student information that should be shared with the bus company are:

• medical/health conditions that may result in an emergency,
• emergency action plans,
• behavioral concerns,
• safety concerns (such as a student’s ability to unbuckle the seat belt while sitting in his/ her wheelchair), and/or
• if a car seat is needed.

It is also recommended that the teacher verbally inform the bus driver and bus aide of any of the aforementioned information.

How Safe Is School Bus Transportation?

School Bus Driver Licensing

All bus drivers are required to pass a physical examination, obtain traffic and criminal clearances and have the appropriate class of driver’s license. Bus drivers are trained to transport students with disabilities.

School Bus Aide Training

Bus aides are provided on buses that transport students who require special attention. The aides are required to have a first aid certificate and criminal clearance. They also participate in training sessions.

Safety and Bus Service Complaints

All school buses are inspected daily by the bus driver. All safety and service complaints and concerns should be reported to the respective District Student Transportation Office.

Best Practice Suggestions for Travel

The following are general guidelines for safely transporting a student with physical health needs:

1. When traveling in a Type II school bus (the smaller yellow school buses) that the student travels in to and from school, all children are safest traveling on a vehicle seat, using the vehicle seat belts or in an approved child passenger restraint that complies with federal safety standards.
2. For the student with physical health needs, the safest means of traveling on a school bus is for the student to be properly restrained out of his/her wheelchair while the empty wheelchair is properly secured during the vehicle trip.
3. If transferring out of the wheelchair cannot be reasonably managed by bus personnel, the following are recommendations when the student must use his/her wheelchair as a travel seat:
• Use transit-option or “WC-19” type of wheelchair (check with your equipment supplier).
• All wheelchairs should be secured forward-facing in the vehicle.
• If the student has a transit-option wheelchair, bus personnel should use the crashtested wheelchair securement points to attach the bus tie-down straps. These tie-down straps should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Wheelchairs should be secured at the frame junctions on the main frame of the wheelchair.
• When students travel seated in their wheelchairs, use a vehicle-anchored lap/shoulder seat belt to protect the person sitting in the wheelchair.
4. If the student requires the use of medical equipment during vehicle travel, secure equipment as best as possible. This process might involve placing equipment under vehicle seats or securing them with unoccupied seat belts.
5. If possible, remove and secure lap trays from the student’s wheelchair for vehicle travel to help prevent injury from the rigid edges. If this is not possible, place padding between the student and the edge of the tray. Make sure that the lap tray is also securely attached to the chair. Remember that crash forces are strong and it is important to help prevent injury from this potential projectile.
6. All other passengers should be properly secured during vehicle travel, including nursing or bus personnel. Anyone or anything not secured in a vehicle could become a projectile in the event of a crash.

Parent Responsibilities Include:

• Morning Pick-Up
  • The parent must have the student at the pick-up point five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
  • If the student will not be going to school, the parent must notify the driver or the bus company as soon as possible.
• Illness
  • If a student becomes ill at school, the parent will be asked to transport him or her home. The parent must inform the bus company or driver that they have picked up the student from school.
  • A student with a communicable disease must have a medical clearance to resume transportation service and return to school.
• Resuming Services
  • When a student is ready to return to school after being absent, the parent must call the bus company at least one day in advance (by 4:00 p.m). Otherwise, the driver will not resume picking up the student.
• Moving
  • Parent(s) must notify the school at least two weeks in advance if they are moving to a new address.
  • Until transportation has been arranged, parent(s) may be responsible for transporting their student to and from school.

When No One Is Home to Receive a Student

Parent(s) or a designated responsible person must deliver and receive their student at the designated pick-up and drop-off points.

* The following steps will be taken if the student is left unsupervised during pick-up and/or no responsible person is present to receive him/her at the drop-off time and place.

1. The parent will receive a verbal warning and a copy of a Bus Incident Report (Form ST-15).
2. The school official will conduct an investigation.
3. The parent may be asked to attend a meeting with representatives from the school, bus company, and Student Transportation Services personnel.
4. The student may be suspended from riding the bus.

If the parent feels that the student is responsible enough to be left unattended, the principal must approve this. The parent must obtain the Parental Request to Leave Special Education Student at Designated Drop-off Point Without an Authorized Person to Received Student (Form ST-7). The parent must submit the completed form to the principal for review and approval.

In emergency situations when the parent is unable to meet the bus, the parent must arrange for another responsible person to meet the student at the drop-off point. The parent must call the bus company and provide them with the name of the authorized person and the alternate dropoff point, if needed. The bus driver will not release the student unless these arrangements have been confirmed.

If, for any reason, the bus company believes that they are unable to responsibly drop off the student, the parent may need to pick up the child from school or an agreed upon designated location.

* (This policy is being revised. Please contact the Student Transportation Services office for more information.)

Natural Disasters and Emergency Situations

• Before Morning Pick-Up: The parent should keep the student at home.
• After Morning Pick-Up: The parent will be notified of the location of the student by the bus company staff.
• While In School: The student should remain in school until the all-clear signal is announced or a determination is made by school officials that students may be released.