STUDENT ELIGIBILITY FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

Code No. 711.1

Elementary and middle school students living more than two miles from their designated school attendance centers and high school students living more than three miles from their designated attendance centers are entitled to transportation to and from their attendance center at the expense of the school district.

Transportation of students who require special education services will generally be provided as for other students, when appropriate.  Specialized transportation of a student to and from a special education instructional service is a function of that service and, therefore, an appropriate expenditure of special education instructional funds generated through the weighting plan.

Transportation of a student to and from a special education support service is a function of that service, and is specified in the individualized education program (IEP) or the individualized family service plan (IFSP).  When the IEP or IFSP team determines that unique transportation arrangements are required and the arrangements are specified in the IEP or IFSP, the school district will provide one or more of the following transportation arrangements for instructional services and the AEA for support services:

• Transportation from the student's residence to the location of the special education and back to the student's residence, or child care placement for students below the age of six.

• Special assistance or adaptations in getting the student to and from and on and off the vehicle, en route to and from the special education.

• Reimbursement of the actual costs of transportation when by mutual agreement the parents provide transportation for the student to and from the special education.

The school district is not required to provide reimbursement to parents who elect to provide transportation in lieu of agency-provided transportation.

A student may be required, at the board's discretion, to meet a school vehicle without reimbursement up to three-fourths of a mile.  The board may require the parent to transport their children up to two miles to connect with school bus vehicles at the expense of the school district when conditions deem it advisable.  It is within the discretion of the board to determine such conditions.  Parents of students who live where transportation by bus is impracticable or unavailable may be required to furnish transportation to and from the designated attendance center at the expense of the school district.  Parents, who transport their children at the expense of the school district, are reimbursed at the rate per mile set by the state.  

Transportation arrangements made by agreement with a neighboring school district will follow the terms of the agreement.  Students, who choose to attend a school in a school district other than their resident school district, will provide transportation to and from the school at their own expense. 

Cross References

Adopted: 01/12/1987

Reviewed: 02/13/2024

Revised: 02/13/2024

SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER RESTRAINTS

Code No. 711.10

It is the goal of the Edgewood Colesburg Community School District Transportation Department to provide the safest student transportation possible. The district shall utilize three-point lap-shoulder belts on district school buses as required by state law.  All three-point lap-shoulder belts available on district buses will be used by passengers when the vehicle is in any non-stationary gear.The District requires that all students riding a school district bus equipped with seat belts wear seat belts while the bus is in motion.

The district shall utilize three-point lap-shoulder belts on district school buses as required by state law.  All three-point lap-shoulder belts available on district buses will be used by passengers when the vehicle is in any non-stationary gear.

All students will receive instruction on the proper use of seat belts during the twice annual bus safety drills. Drivers are not responsible (i.e. liable) for students wearing seat belts while riding. Drivers are responsible for instructing students to put on seat belts prior to the bus leaving a school.

Students who may require assistance in using seat belts should ask the bus driver for help, so that all students are safely belted in their seat before the bus is in motion. Drivers will announce prior to the bus leaving that each student needs to be in their seat with the seat belt fastened.

Students refusing to use seat belts create a safety concern for themselves and others, and are subject to school district disciplinary actions. Repeated refusal to wear seat belts can result in suspension from bus riding privileges.

Legal Reference:         281 I.A.C. 43.10(6)

Cross Reference:         711.07 School Bus Safety Instruction

Adopted:         3/16/2021

Reviewed:

Revised:          05/15/2023

STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
Code No. 711.2
Bus transportation for students enrolled in the school district is one of the requirements set forth by the Iowa State Department of Education. In complying with this requirement, the Board is authorized to establish policies and regulations that will ensure safe transportation for all students.
Although the law requires the district to provide transportation, it does not relieve parents from the responsibility of supervision until such time as the child boards the bus and after the child leaves the bus at the end of the school day. Nor does it relieve students from the responsibility to behave in an orderly and safe manner on the bus. School bus transportation is a privilege that can be taken away any time a student’s conduct is considered bad enough to jeopardize the safety of the other passengers. The right to safe transportation will not be taken from an entire busload of students because a few of them disobey the rules.
Students utilizing school transportation will conduct themselves in an orderly manner fitting to their age level and maturity with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of the school vehicle driver and the other passengers. Students who fail to behave in an orderly manner will be subject to disciplinary measures.
The driver will have the authority to maintain order on the school vehicle. It is the responsibility of the driver to report misconduct to the building administrator.
Those students guilty of flagrant, repeated, or gross disobedience or misconduct on school buses are subject to suspension within the guidelines of the district’s Student Suspension Policy, Code Number 503.2. Continued violation of bus rules will be considered sufficient cause for refusing to transport the student(s) involved, and may lead to suspension from school, depending upon the seriousness of the matter.
The board supports the use of recording devices on school buses used for transportation to and from school as well as for field trips, curricular or extracurricular events. The recording devices will be used to monitor student behavior and may be used as evidence in a student disciplinary proceeding. The recordings are student records subject to school district confidentiality, board policy and administrative regulations.
After three (3) warnings for bad conduct, the building principal will have the authority to suspend transportation privileges of the student or impose other appropriate discipline.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the building principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding student conduct and discipline when utilizing school district transportation.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 285; 321.
Cross Reference: 503 Student Discipline
506 Student Records
804.6 Use of Recording Devices on School Property
Adopted: 01/12/1987
Reviewed: 06/26/2023
Revised: 06/26/2023

STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Code No. 711.2

Students utilizing school transportation will conduct themselves in an orderly manner fitting to their age level and maturity with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of the school vehicle driver and the other passengers.  Students who fail to behave in an orderly manner will be subject to disciplinary measures.

The driver will have the authority to maintain order on the school vehicle.  It is the responsibility of the driver to report misconduct to the building administrator.

The board supports the use of recording devices on school buses used for transportation to and from school as well as for field trips, curricular or extracurricular events.  The recording devices will be used to monitor student behavior and may be used as evidence in a student disciplinary proceeding.  The recordings are student records subject to school district confidentiality, board policy and administrative regulations.

After three (3) warnings for bad conduct, the building principal will have the authority to suspend transportation privileges of the student or impose other appropriate discipline.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the building principal, to develop administrative regulations regarding student conduct and discipline when utilizing school district transportation.

Legal Reference:          Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 285; 321.

Cross Reference:          503      Student Discipline

                                    506      Student Records

                                    804.6   Use of Recording Devices on School Property

Adopted:               01/12/1987

Reviewed:             12/19/2022

Revised:                12/19/2022

School buses may be used to transport students and assigned teachers to and from extra-curricular activities, when such activities are part of the regular school program and sponsored by the school.

School buses may also be used by other groups when approved by the board of directors or its designee.  Fees may also be assessed and drivers must be board approved.

Legal References:  Iowa Code Section 285.11 (6)

Cross Reference:  Student Activities
                                                  Co-Curricular Activities

Adopted:               01/12/1987
Reviewed:             03/16/2021

SUMMER PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION SERVICE

Code No. 711.4
 

The school district may use school vehicles for transportation to and from summer extracurricular activities.  The superintendent will make a recommendation to the board annually regarding their use.

Transportation to and from the student's attendance center for summer school instructional programs is within the discretion of the board.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation regarding transportation of students in summer school instructional programs at the expense of the school district.  In making the recommendation to the board, the superintendent will consider the financial condition of the school district, the number of students involved in summer school programs, and other factors deemed relevant by the board or the superintendent.

I.A.C. Iowa Aministrative Code

281 I.A.C. 41.412 Special Education - Transportation

281 I.A.C. 43.10 Transportation - Permitted Uses

Legal References: Iowa Administrative Code 22.10 (1)

Cross References: 603.02 Summer School Instruction

Adopted: 01/12/1987

Reviewed: 02/13/2024

Revised: 02/13/2024

BUS USAGE BY NONRESIDENT OR PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Code No. 711.5

The board has sole discretion to determine the method to be utilized for transporting nonresident and nonpublic students.  Nonresident students paying tuition may be, and resident students attending a nonpublic school accredited by the Iowa Department of Education, will be transported on an established public school vehicle route as long as such transportation does not interfere with resident public students' transportation.  Nonresident and nonpublic school students will obtain the permission of the superintendent prior to being transported by the school district.

Parents of resident students who provide transportation for their children attending a nonpublic school accredited by the Iowa Department of Education will be reimbursed at the established state rate.  This reimbursement is paid only if the school district receives the funds from the state.  If less than the amount of funds necessary to fully reimburse parents of the nonpublic students is received by the school district, the funds will be prorated.

The charge to the nonresident students is determined based on the students' pro rata share of the actual costs for transportation.  The parents of these students are billed for the student's share of the actual costs of transportation.  The billing is according to the schedule developed by the superintendent.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to determine the amount to be charged and report it to the board secretary for billing.

Continued transportation of nonresident and nonpublic school students on a public school vehicle route will be subject to resident public school students' transportation needs.  The superintendent will make a recommendation annually to the board regarding the method to be used.  In making a recommendation to the board, the superintendent will consider the number of students to be transported, the capacity of the school vehicles, the financial condition of the school district and other factors deemed relevant by the board or the superintendent.

Nonresident and nonpublic school students are subject to the same conduct regulations as resident public students as prescribed by board policy, and to other policies, rules, or regulations developed by the school district regarding transportation of students by the school district.

Legal References:       Iowa Code §§ 285.1-.2, .10, .16.

Adopted:         01/12/1987

Reviewed:       06/26/2023

Revised:          06/26/2023

Transportation of Nonschool Groups (I & II)

Code No. 711.6

Option I

Only in unusual circumstances will the board make school district transportation vehicles available to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community, or recreational activities for transporting to and from nonschool-sponsored activities in the state.

In the event school district transportation vehicles are made available to local nonprofit entities, it is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for application for, use of, and payment for using the school district transportation vehicles.

Legal Reference:           Iowa Code §§ 285.1(21), .10(9), (10).

281 I.A.C. 41.412; 43.10.

Adopted:   06/26/2023  

Reviewed:

Revised

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY INSTRUCTION

Code No. 711.7

The school district will conduct school bus safe riding practices instruction and emergency safety drills at least twice during the school year, once in the fall and once in the spring, for students who utilize school district transportation.  Documentation of these safety drills will be maintained by the district for five years and made available upon request. 

Each school bus vehicle will have, in addition to the regular emergency safety drill, a plan for helping those students who require special assistance to safety during an emergency. This will include, but not be limited to, students with disabilities.

Employees are responsible for instructing the proper techniques to be followed during an emergency, as well as safe riding practices.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 321. 281 I.A.C. 41.412; 43.40.
 

Cross References: 507.05 Emergency Plans and Drills

511.10 School Bus Passenger Restraints

804.2 District Emergency Operations Plans

Adopted: 01/12/1987

Reviewed: 03/16/2021

Revised:  05/15/2023

TRANSPORTATION IN INCLEMENT WEATHER

Code No. 711.8

A decision will be made by the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee, after consideration of all known factors and available information, as to whether or not to operate school buses and other vehicles used for transportation of students when fog, rain, snow, or other natural elements make it unsafe to transport students.

Individual drivers will not be required to operate a bus or other vehicle when, in their judgment, it would be unsafe to do so.  If a driver determines that existing conditions prevent continuation of the remainder of any portion of a route the driver will attempt to immediately notify the superintendent or superintendent’s designee by radio, who will attempt to notify parents in the manner best suited to the situation.  Plans will be made for temporary management of all students involved until conditions allow the driver to continue.

When adverse conditions exist prior to the beginning of a school day, and it has been determined that a delayed opening or cancellation of school is necessary, students and parents shall be notified by parent messaging system, social media, area commercial radio and television stations.  Every effort will be made to make information available as soon as a decision is made including announcement of a subsequent decision to change from a delayed opening to a cancellation of school.

Should adverse weather conditions develop during a school day and it is determined that school shall be dismissed early, every effort will be made to notify parents by parent messaging system, social media, area commercial radio and television stations.

Adopted: 03/18/1996

Reviewed: 02/13/2024

Revised: 02/13/2024