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EEA

TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

I.          Definition of Terms:

A.                 Assigned Vehicles:  The vehicle assigned to a geographic area for the transport of students to and from that area.

B.                 Bus Stop:  The pick up and drop off location determined to be safe, accessible and central location for a student or group of students.

C.                 Care Provider:  A parent, guardian, relative or assigned babysitter or day care center that is responsible for the care and well being of a student.

D.                 Walking Distance:  The distance determined to be safe and reasonable for a student to walk to school or to a central stop.

II.                Walking Distances: *

A.                 K-3:  Students in grades K-3 will not be required to walk more than .3 of a mile to school or the nearest central bus stop.

B.                 4-6:  Students in grades 4-6 will not be required to walk more than .6 of a mile to school or the nearest central bus stop.

C.                 7-12:  Students in grades 7-12 will not be required to walk more than 1 mile to school or the nearest central bus stop.

*          Required walking distances may exceed distances stated due to safety concerns, remote locations, or near proximity (+/-500 feet) to actual distances stated.

III.             Considerations:

A.                 Safety:  Safety and not sidewalks shall be the determining factor for a student to walk to school or a central bus stop.

B.                 Responsibility:  It shall be the responsibility of student’s care provider to ensure the safety and proper behavior of students to, from and at designated bus stops.

C.                 Limitations of Bus Access:  No M.S.A.D. 71 School Bus shall enter any private or public way that is determined to be unsafe for bus passage or does not provide adequate turnaround facilities.  No bus shall pick up or discharge students outside the M.S.A.D. 71 School District during regular bus routes.  No route shall be altered to accommodate student care providers, but students may be picked up or discharged in the following circumstances:

1.                  The pickup or discharge location is located within the M.S.A.D. 71 School District; and

2.                  The pickup or discharge location is on an existing bus route that normally serves the students’ school; and

3.                  The determination as to whether or not an M.S.A.D. 71 bus will pick up or discharge students at a location other than the nearest central bus stop shall rest solely in the discretion of the superintendent.

D.                 Special Education Transportation:  Special Education Students shall be provided bus transportation in accordance with Chapter 301, Title 20-A MSRA Transportation Guidelines.

IV.              Assignment of Buses:

A.    Bus Assignments:  Students will be assigned to ride the bus that is geographically assigned to the central bus stop of  that student.  Students may not ride buses which may pass through but are not assigned to their geographic area.

            B.     Request to Ride Alternative Buses:  Any student or group requesting to ride on a bus other than their assigned bus must have a care provider contact the Transportation Department no less than 24 hours in advance to request permission.  The care provider must also provide written permission to the student’s school prior to final approval for alternate transportation.

            C.                 Right of Refusal:  The Transportation Department reserves the right to refuse alternate bus transportation for students or groups if such transportation may infringe on the mission of the Transportation Department.  Any student or groups alternate transportation needs are the sole responsibility of the student or groups care provider(s).  The Athletic Director will prioritize trips. 

V.                 Request for Transportation:  All requests for bus transportation must be submitted on a Transportation Department Trip Ticket at least two weeks prior to the trip date.  One trip ticket must be completed for each bus requested.  The Transportation Department reserves the right to limit and or refuse bus availability to meet the mission objectives of the Transportation Department.  Notification of trip cancellation will be given at least 24 hours in advance, except in cases of emergency.

VI.              Priority of Bus Service:

A.                 School Routes:  Regular scheduled school bus routes will receive the first priority of M.S.A.D. 71 school buses.           

B.                 Academic Competition:  Trips to academic competitions will receive second priority.

C.                 Athletic Trips:  M.S.A.D. 71/M.S.S.P.A. sanctioned athletic trips will receive the third priority for M.S.A.D. 71 school buses.  The Athletic Director will prioritize trips.

D.                 Field Trips:  M.S.A.D. 71 school related field trips will receive the fourth priority for buses.

E.                  Bus/Van Loans:  Bus and van loans for other M.S.A.D. 71 transportation needs will be provided on an availability basis only.

VII.           Special Use of Buses:

A.                 Spectator Buses:  Spectator buses for contests may be provided if the Principal approves the application.  Cost of running spectator buses will be made up by fares collected from the riders.  Spectator buses must be properly chaperoned by school personnel.

B.                 Graduation Trips:  It shall be the policy of M.S.A.D. 71 that school buses shall not be used to transport the graduated senior class to non-school approved activities, without prior school board approval.

Adopted:          1/12/98

Amended:         07/16/01

Amended:         09/27/04