3541

Policy

Business

Transportation

The Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools may operate vehicles for the transportation of students in accordance with state and federal laws. It is the intent of the board to operate the vehicles to the benefit of the students enrolled in the Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools. The district shall not rent, lease or loan vehicles to individuals or organizations for non-school related purposes.

Within the limits prescribed by statute, the board of education shall establish for each fiscal year the transportation services to be provided by the school district.

To implement this policy, the board of education directs the superintendent of schools to prepare, for board review, an annual plan for provision of transportation services. The superintendent with the assistance of the elementary principal, should prepare plans, rules and regulations which specify regular routes and services; conditions for special transportation services for school related trips, exceptional children, or non-public school children; procedures for emergencies and safety; procedures for maintenance and protection against vandalism; and, procedures for approval of the use of private vehicles for transportation of pupils or employees on school related activities. The superintendent is given authority to modify and make exception to this policy as he or she deems necessary to meet extenuating and/or unforeseen circumstances.

Use of Vehicles

The Superintendent or his or her designee may authorize vehicles to be used for transporting: students to and from school; students and sponsors to district sponsored activities; students to school related activities sponsored by community organizations in support of activities for students or school/community associations (see related Board Policy 1210) including transportation of students to summer camps and other programs; staff on district business; or school materials.

School Bus Drivers

School bus drivers are to be qualified and licensed as provided by law. Operation of school buses by persons other than qualified and licensed bus drivers is prohibited. All drivers must meet the Safe Driving Record Standard for Drivers as established by this policy.

Safe Driving Record Standard for Drivers

Standard for Pupil Transportation Vehicle Drivers: Each person who is required to have a permit to operate a pupil transportation vehicle for this School District shall meet all requirements to hold and continue to hold a pupil transportation operator’s permit. One of the requirements for obtaining such a permit is that the person have a record of satisfactory driving as determined by Board policy. For such persons, a satisfactory driving record means a record which reflects the absence of any of the following offenses or circumstances:

1. Motor vehicle homicide.

2. Driving while under the influence of alcoholic liquor or drugs or refusal to submit to a chemical test, within the immediate prior 20 years; or,

3. Reckless driving or willful reckless, within the immediate 20 years; or

4. Accumulation of 5 or more points under the motor vehicle operators’ license point system within the immediate prior 4 years. In the event the person has accumulated 3 or 4 points within the immediate prior 4 years, the determination of whether the person has a satisfactory driving shall be made by the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee based on the nature and proximity of the offense as it relates to safe transportation.

Standard for Drivers of Small Vehicles for Activity Trips: Each person who drives a small vehicle (car or van) other than a pupil transportation vehicle for school activities and who is not required to have a permit to operate a pupil transportation vehicle shall be precluded form driving in the event it is discovered that the person does not have a record of satisfactory driving. For such persons, a satisfactory driving record means a record which reflects the absence of any of the following offenses or circumstances:

1. Motor vehicle homicide.

2. Driving while under the influence of alcoholic liquor or drugs or refusal to submit to a chemical test, within the immediate prior 20 years; or,

3. Reckless driving or willful reckless, within the immediate 20 years; or

4. Accumulation of 5 or more points under the motor vehicle operators’ license point system within the immediate prior 4 years. In the event the person has accumulated 3 or 4 points within the immediate prior 4 years, the determination of whether the person has a satisfactory driving record shall be made by the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee based on the nature and proximity of the offense as it relates to safe transportation.

Standard for Drivers of Other School Vehicles: Each person who drives a school vehicle other than pupil transportation vehicle and does not transport students in the vehicle shall be precluded form driving in the event it is discovered that the person does not have a record of satisfactory driving. In the event the person’s employment position requires driving vehicles as a function of the person’s employment; the employment may be terminated in the absence of a record of satisfactory driving. For such persons, a satisfactory driving record means a record which reflects the absence of any of the following offenses or circumstances:

1. Motor Vehicle homicide.

2. Driving while under the influence of alcoholic liquor or drugs or refusal to submit to a chemical test, within the immediate prior 20 years; or,

3. Reckless driving or willful reckless, within the immediate prior 10 years; or

The record of satisfactory driving standards shall apply to all new employees from and after adoption of this policy. Existing employees shall be subject to the same standards, provided that the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee may determine to permit an exception based on the existing employee’s record of satisfactory driving while employed with the District and the nature and proximity of prior driving offenses as such offenses relate to safe transportation.

Reimbursement for Use of Privately Owned Vehicles

The Superintendent of Schools may authorize the use of personal vehicles for school related business and transportation provided that the person using the vehicle is properly licensed and has adequate liability and property damage coverage for the vehicle. Reimbursement rates for use of privately owned vehicle shall be as specified by the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services. Professional certificated staff shall not be reimbursed for travel between school buildings.

Safe Pupil Transportation Plan

The Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee shall develop a safe pupil transportation plan to address students safety which addresses weapons, pupil behavior, terroristic threats, severe weather, hazardous materials, medical emergencies, procedures for mechanical breakdowns, and procedures that require pupil transportation vehicle operators to document and submit to designated school authorities the occurrence of any events covered by the Safe Pupil Transportation Plan that involved the pupil transportation vehicle operated by the driver or the pupils transported in it.

A copy of the plan shall be placed in each pupil transportation vehicle, kept at each school building, and made available upon request.

Long Distance Travel

Planning for travel beyond 200 miles or overnight must be approved in advance by the board of education.

Legal References: R.R.S. 79-601 to 79-613

Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 91

Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code, Chapter 92

Adopted: October 4, 1983

Revised: November 7, 1991

Revised: May 17, 2004, March 21, 2006

Revised: May 17, 2010

Revised: September 4, 2013
3541

Regulation

Business

Transportation Plan

Safe Pupil Transportation Plan

Resident Eligibility

The district will furnish transportation to resident students to attend Ashland-Greenwood Elementary School or Ashland-Greenwood Middle/High School who reside outside the city limits of Ashland and to those students for which transportation is required by law. Resident students shall include Pre-School to 12^th grade students in Saunders County School District #1. This transportation will be provided to and from the student's registered place of residence unless otherwise provided for and/or approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee. Resident students who live outside the city limits but who are not eligible for transportation by state law will be transported on a space available basis. The location of the residence of a student's baby-sitter cannot be used to determine eligibility for the student for district transportation.

Non-Resident Eligibility

The Board of Education provides bus transportation as a service to its residents. It is the policy of the district that residents living outside the city limits of Ashland shall always have first priority for bus service. Due the increase in the amount of miles and/or riders on some bus routes the board of education must place limitations on the use of bus service by non-resident students.

Therefore, Non-resident students, including option enrollment students, are eligible on a space available basis as determined annually by the Board of Education. All non-resident students must meet the bus on the regular bus route at an existing stop or at a new stop located along the route. All new route stops must be reviewed and approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Fees

The Board will charge a fee in accordance with Nebraska R.R.S. 79-605 for the service. A fee of $50 shall be charged annually any non-resident family who utilizes bus service. The district shall not pro-rate the fee for use of the service for a part of the year.

Bus Stops

The district shall only consider the student's home when establishing a pick up and drop off point for transportation unless a parent designates a different point and that point is on a current school bus route and does not cause the district to alter existing bus routes or to overload a bus. Every attempt will be made by the district to establish collection points in residential developments, sanitary improvement districts and inside incorporated villages and cities that are within reasonable walking distance of the child’s home.

Routes

Bus routes shall be established annually and updated continuously by the Superintendent of Schools with the assistance of the Transportation Supervisor and school building offices.

Guests

The Superintendent or his/her designee at his/her discretion may allow guests to ride to or from school. Guests shall only be allowed on a space available basis. Guests shall only include students enrolled in the Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools and shall be on an occasional basis.

Travel Distance

Travel distances shall be limited to a distance that is a reasonable drive for a driver in a day considering stops for breaks, meals, fueling and safety inspection of vehicles. CDL regulations limit driving for a driver to 10 hours in a day. In order to allow for detours and traffic delays every attempt will be made to keep a day’s travel to a reasonable distance. Generally that travel should not exceed 350 miles.

Use of vehicles by non-school sponsored summer activities

The Superintendent approves the use of school vehicles for travel by high school students to non-school sponsored summer camps. leagues and other programs. The school will only provide a school vehicle for student travel. The activity must be only for Ashland-Greenwood students and must be related to an activity that is normally sponsored by the school during the school year.

Arrangements for such travel should be made in advance through the Director of Transportation and in conjunction with the Superintendent’s Office.

Drivers shall volunteer their time to drive school vehicles or it will be the responsibility of the organization to pay a driver directly. It will be the responsibility of the non-school sponsored activity find the driver. Volunteer drivers must be approved by the school district to drive school vehicles and must meet all school and state driver requirements.

The school district will provide a full tank of gas prior to the trip and will fill the tank up upon the vehicles return to the school. Any fueling enroute must be paid for by the non-school group.

Safe Pupil Transportation Plan

This Safe Pupil Transportation Plan sets forth the District’s plan for providing safe transportation to students being transported in pupil transportation vehicles.

1. Weapons- Upon becoming aware of a weapon aboard a pupil transportation vehicle, the driver will make every attempt to:

A. Radio transportation dispatch and notify them of the situation if possible. If not possible, the driver will make every attempt to telephone dispatch from a cellular telephone or from the nearest safe haven location. Examples of a safe haven include, but are not limited to, any school building site, emergency service station (law enforcement or fire department), community service agency, etc.

B. Pull vehicle over to safe and secure area.

C. Confiscate weapon (if it doesn’t jeopardize student or driver safety).

D. Give description of weapon and participating parties to dispatch.

E. Dispatch will immediately notify appropriate law enforcement agencies and school administration.

2. Pupil behavior- Students are expected to follow student conduct rules while in a pupil transportation vehicle. The pupil transportation driver is responsible for controlling behavior which affects safety and for reporting rule violations to school administration. In the event a student’s behavior jeopardizes safety, the driver will make every attempt to:

A. First seek to resolve incident through discussion with the student(s) involved.

B. Radio transportation dispatch and notify them of situation if possible. If not possible, the driver will make every attempt to telephone dispatch from a cellular telephone or from the nearest safe haven location.

C. Activate emergency flashers.

D. Bring vehicle to a safe stop. Seek to resolve the incident, using physical force only as necessary to protect students or yourself.

E. Report and document discipline problems to the school administrator on a Bus Conduct Report/Incident Form.

3. Terrorist threats- A person commits a terroristic threat if the person threatens to commit a crime of violence with the intent to terrorize another or with the intent of causing evacuation of a building, place of assembly or facility of public transportation or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or evacuation. Upon becoming aware of a terroristic threat relating to a pupil transportation vehicle, the driver will make every attempt to:

A. Radio transportation dispatch and notify them of situation if possible. If not possible, the driver will make every attempt to telephone dispatch from a cellular telephone or from the nearest safe haven location.

B. Make every attempt to keep passengers calm (this may mean complying with the terrorist).

C. Dispatch will immediately notify appropriate law enforcement agencies and school administration.

D. Driver should wait for instructions from dispatch if possible.

4. Severe weather- Upon becoming aware of severe weather while aboard a pupil transportation vehicle, the driver will make every attempt to:

B. Return to the school if less than five minutes away and follow the directions of the school administrator.

C. If more than five minutes away from school, go to the nearest school and follow the directions of the school administrator.

D. If more than five minutes away from the nearest school or there is immediate danger, get to the nearest basement or underground shelter with all students.

E. If there is no shelter and there is immediate danger the driver and passengers are to follow evacuation procedures and get everyone off the vehicle into the nearest ditch or culvert at least 100 feet away from the vehicle.

5. Hazardous materials-Upon becoming aware of a hazardous material aboard a pupil transportation vehicle, the driver will make every attempt to:

B. Pull vehicle over to safe and secure area.

C. Give description of hazardous materials in question to dispatch.

D. Dispatch will immediately notify appropriate law enforcement and school administration.

E. Driver should wait for instructions from dispatch if possible.

6. Medical emergencies- Upon becoming aware of a medical emergency aboard a pupil transportation vehicle, the driver will make every attempt to:

B. Dispatch will immediately notify appropriate medical agencies and school administration.

C. Driver should follow instructions from dispatch, school officials, and parents when such information can be obtained quickly enough. If not available, follow emergency first aid procedures.

D. Only if necessary, the driver should move passengers only enough to get them out of danger of traffic or fire. If moved, the driver and aide are to keep them where placed until a medical agency arrives, unless a parent has taken charge of their child.

E. Driver should try to keep student passengers as calm as possible.

7. Procedures in the event of mechanical breakdowns of the vehicle- Upon becoming aware of a mechanical breakdown aboard a Pupil transportation vehicle, the driver will make every attempt to:

A. Pull vehicle over to safe and secure area if possible

C. Activate emergency flashers and place warning flares/reflectors in accordance with safety guidelines, if not in secure area.

D. Driver should try to keep student passengers as calm as possible.

E. Dispatch will arrange for assistance and a relief vehicle if needed.

8. Procedures in the event the drop-off location is uncertain or appears unsafe to leave students. In the event the drop-off location is uncertain or appears unsafe to leave students, the driver will make every attempt to:

A. Radio transportation or otherwise communicate with dispatch to notify them of the situation if possible.

B. Release children only if an adult responsible for the children is present. If not, keep children who are to be released in the vehicle, continue with route, and return children who were to be released to the school.

C. Dispatch will notify appropriate law enforcement agencies and school administration if appropriate given the circumstances.

9. Documentation under Safe Pupil Transportation Plan. Each pupil transportation driver is required to complete and submit to the school administration a bus conduct report or incident report involving the pupil transportation vehicle operated by the driver or any pupils transported in it. Documentation is to include the occurrence of any of the following events: weapons, student behavior which affects safety, terroristic threats, severe weather, hazardous materials, or medical emergencies. Documentation of such events shall be completed and submitted as soon as practicable after the incident.

10. Transportation of Unsafe Items. Drivers shall not permit pupil transportation vehicles to transport any items, animals, materials, weapons or look-a-like weapons or equipment which in any way would endanger the lives, health or safety of the children or other passengers and the driver. Look-a-like weapons associated with a school sponsored or approved activity may be transported only with written permission of a school administrator. Any items that would break or could produce injury if tossed about inside the pupil transportation vehicle when involved in an accident or sudden stop shall be secured.

11. Supplemental Information. A copy of this plan shall be placed in each pupil transportation vehicle, kept at each school building, and made available upon request. Supplemental information with respect to operational and procedural guidelines used to administer this plan can be found in the District’s safety and security plan adopted pursuant to 92 NAC10 and in the Nebraska Department of Education Pupil Transportation Guide.

A copy of the plan shall be placed in each pupil transportation vehicle, kept at each school building, and made available upon request.

Legal Reference: Nebraska R.R.S. 79-601 through 79-613

Approved: April 6, 1992

Revised: April 20, 1992; April 4, 1994; June 20, 1994; May 17, 2004, March 21, 2006

Revised: May 17, 2010

Regulation Revised: May 2, 2011

Regulation Revised: June 16^th, 2014