3541 3541Business/Non-Instructional Operations
School Transportation
The New Hartford Board of Education shall provide school transportation for students who reside in the Town of New Hartford and attend one of its public or private schools under provisions of state law and regulations, or who attend a special education facility determined by the district's Director of Student Services in consultation with the local Planning and Placement Team.
The Superintendent of Schools shall administer the transportation operation and oversee the development and implementation of all administrative regulations in order to ensure safe and efficient transportation for all New Hartford children.
Federal Compliance
Transportation will be provided for homeless students to and from the school of origin as required by law. These services shall be provided throughout the regularly scheduled school year and day as determined by the Board.
Transportation will be provided for an eligible student who attends a district school out of the student's attendance area because the student is a victim of a violent criminal offense occurring in or on the grounds of the school the student attends or the student attends a school identified as persistently dangerous.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-186 Duties of local and regional boards of education
10-220 Duties of boards of education
14-275 Equipment and color of school buses
14-275a Use of standard school bus required, when.
14-275b Transportation of handicapped students.
14-275c Regulations re school buses and motor vehicles used to transport special education students.
14-276a (c) Town/school district may require its school bus operators to have completed a safety training course.
14-280 Letters and signals to be concealed when not used in transporting children. Signs on other vehicles.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2001, P.L. 107-110, 42 U.S.C., Sections 11431-11435
Policy adopted: December 5, 2006
Policy revised: September 16, 2008
Policy revised: June 4, 2013
NEW HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
New Hartford, Connecticut
3541
Business/Non-Instructional Operations
School Transportation
I. Duties and Responsibilities
A. Board of Education
Designated routes and bus stops for elementary school students, grades pre-kindergarten through 6, will be established by the Board of Education through the Superintendent with the advice of the bus contractor.
In establishing bus stops and determining when transportation is reasonable and desirable, in accordance with law, the following distance and safety factors will be considered.
1. Distance
a. For an elementary school student, a bus stop shall not be established more than five tenths (5/10) of a mile from the student's domicile. A student is presumed able to walk five tenths (5/10) of a mile or less to a designated bus stop, unless a safety consideration as set forth below exists.
b. A bus stop shall not be established on an unimproved road whether or not it is approved by the Town and regardless of distance, unless a safety consideration as set forth below, dictates otherwise.
c. When planning bus stops, the length of bus ride and number of students is considered.
2. Safety
A bus stop shall be moved closer to a domicile if one or more of the following conditions exist:
a. An elementary school student would be required to walk to a bus stop along with a posted speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or more and where no adjacent sidewalk or suitable shoulder walking area is provided;
b. An elementary school student would be required to walk along a road possessing a traffic count of ninety (90) or more vehicles per hour at the time the students are walking to or from school, and where no adjacent sidewalk or suitable shoulder walking area is provided;
c. An elementary school student has a physical disability and/or other health condition that renders him/her unable to walk to a bus stop, as determined by the school's Medical Advisor or school nurse;
d. A Planning and Placement Team (PPT) has determined a special education student requires individualized transportation services;
e. A students would be required to cross routes 44, 202, or 219.
f. Other conditions exist that would render an established bus stop unsafe or unsuitable for a student, whether because the bus stop itself is unsafe or unsuitable, or because the walk to the established bus stop would create a safety risk for a student as determined by the Superintendent of Schools and the transportation contractor.
3. Kindergarten
A parent, or a responsible individual designated by the parent, must be present at the bus stop for a kindergarten child to be dropped off. Any kindergarten child who is not met at drop off by a parent or appropriately designated individual will be returned to the school by the bus driver.
4. Bus Stops
a. Every effort will be made to provide parents of their child's bus route at least five days prior to the opening of school by publication of those routes on the bus company's website and a link on the District's website. Stops and times are subject to change throughout the school year. Parents will be notified of all significant changes.
b. If parents request a different drop-off designation on the same bus route for a particular day, they must make arrangements with the school by sending a note in with their child. Call to the schools are discouraged.
c. A parent/guardian who believes his child's bus stop is not reasonable or desirable may request a change by contacting the Superintendent of Schools, who, in turn, will contact the transportation contractor. If a satisfactory solution is not reached, the parent/guardian may request, in writing, that the Board of Education conduct a hearing as prescribed in Connecticut General Statutes. If a satisfactory solution is still not reached, the parent/guardian may appeal the decision to the State Board of Education/Department of Education as prescribed in the Connecticut General Statutes.
d. Parents/guardians are responsible for students until the bus arrives at the bus stop for pick-up and after the bus leaves the bus stop for drop-off.
B. Transportation Contractor
The transportation contractor shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation of equipment used in transporting students to and from school. More specifically, the transportation contractor shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:
1. To continually assess the student transportation system, cooperate with the Superintendent, and make recommendations for its improvement in terms of maximum service, safety, economy, and efficiency of time schedule;
2. To properly maintain school buses so that they may operate with utmost safety and comply with appropriate State and Federal regulations;
3. To maintain an adequate staff of qualified and certified bus drivers who accept their responsibility of safety, efficiency, promotion of positive public relations, respect for students, and support of the district's Conduct Code;
4. To test run all bus routes prior to posting lists in order to ensure student safety and bus stop accuracy.
5. To hire only those personnel who have documented evidence - from random drug testing, motor vehicle violations checks, and criminal background checks - that they are free from drug use, motor vehicle violations, or any criminal background;
6. The Superintendent may review applicants who have misdemeanors;
7. To institute drug and alcohol testing procedures for bus drivers that meet or exceed the State requirements for random drug testing.
8. To maintain mileage records for all vans and buses in order to ensure that no improper mileage is being accumulated from unscheduled use of the vans or buses;
9. To cooperate with the building principals and the Superintendent regarding the establishment of bus stops and routes, and advising the appropriate school officials of changes as they occur and are needed;
10. Provide responses to parents who make stop requests;
11. To provide the Superintendent, with the routes, starting times of buses, bus capacities, and the approximate number of students by August 15 for the next school year;
12. At the beginning of each school year, to work with the principals to train bus drivers regarding the district's Conduct Codes which detail the behavioral expectations on the school buses. The transportation contractor may, after filing written behavioral referrals to the building Principal or after following a major infraction by a student, consult with the building Principal in reference to denying bus transportation for a particular student. The building Principal will notify the parent/guardian of the consequences of any misbehavior as outlined in the Conduct Codes approved by the Board of Education, and the Principal will determine if bus transportation will be denied. If bus transportation is denied to a student due to misbehavior, the parent/guardian will be responsible for transporting the student to and from school for the specified period of time;
13. To instruct the drivers in the beginning of each school year and remind them regularly that students are not permitted to eat food, chew gum, nor drink beverages while on the school bus;
14. To instruct the drivers not to change the designated location of a bus stop without prior approval from the contractor, who will consult with the school administration.
15. The transportation contractor will instruct the bus drivers about meeting the unique needs of disabled students and kindergarten bus riders.
C. Bus Driver
The bus driver's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. The bus driver is in complete charge of the bus and students.
2. The bus driver must exercise his/her powers immediately, courteously, and efficiently and will demonstrate respect for the students.
3. The bus driver must demand appropriate and acceptable behavior from all students as outlined in the Conduct Code. If any student does not act appropriately on the bus, the bus driver should seek assistance from the building Principal in addressing this behavior.
4. The bus manager must report, in writing, using the Conduct Report Form, to the building Principal any infractions of rules and regulations by the students as outlined in the Conduct Codes.
5. The bus driver must be prompt in picking up and delivering his/her passengers.
6. The bus driver must utilize and employ all mechanical devices for safety at all stops, and must wait for students to completely cross the road before moving the bus.
7. Students are to cross the street in front of the bus and are to be directed to do so by the bus driver. Students will receive instruction from the bus driver in the beginning of each school year on how to safely cross in front of a bus.
8. The bus driver must wait for all incoming passengers to be seated before moving the bus.
9. The bus driver must use sound judgment and discretion in picking up passengers. Specifically, if a student is leaving his/her front door, the bus driver should wait; however, if this becomes a common practice, the bus driver will report it in writing and submit it to the transportation contractor.
10. While loading students on the bus at school, the bus driver will work closely with the school staff member who is supervising the loading of buses. The staff member will signal the bus driver when all students are safely aboard.
11. It is important that all buses arrive on time for dismissal.
12. The bus driver will instruct students about safety rules at the beginning of the school year and as necessary throughout the year. This instruction will include emergency procedures.
13. The bus driver will notify students whose carry-on articles are excessive and may present a danger.
D. Students
The students' responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Student must abide by the school and bus Conduct Codes at all times.
2. Students must line up single file and enter the bus in an orderly fashion. Students must be seated immediately upon boarding the bus and remain seated until the bus reaches the school parking area in the morning and the bus stop in the afternoon.
3. No indecent or profane language or gestures or loud voices shall be permitted on the bus.
4. Students will limit conversation with the bus driver to those issues that are absolutely necessary and will wait until the bus reaches its destination for further information.
5. Smoking on the bus is prohibited.
6. Students will not throw waste paper, hats, caps, books, lunches, or any other articles within or from the bus.
7. Students will not extend any part of their body out the bus window.
8. Students must enter and leave the bus only at the front door, except in cases of emergency.
9. Students who damage or deface any bus or equipment shall be held liable for such damage.
10. Students who are dropped off the bus along the route will cross the road only on instructions of the bus driver. When crossing the street, the students will go in front of the bus.
11. Students are expected to act with courtesy at all times and to show respect for other people and for property and to act with the safety of all in mind.
12. Students will limit carry-on articles to those that can be held on the lap.
13. Students are not permitted to eat food, chew gum, nor drink beverages while on the school bus.
E. Parents
Should the student not be present at the bus stop at the designated time the bus usually arrives, it is the parent's responsibility to transport the student to school on that day and any other time this situation presents itself.
II. Suspension of Transportation Privileges
The driver is authorized to make a written referral for any student who violates bus rules and/or the New Hartford Public Schools Conduct Code. Upon receipt of such referral, the Principal will meet with the student to discuss the infraction, and will send a letter to the parent/guardian about the incident and any action taken. Repeated and/or extreme offenses may result in suspension of bus privileges.
The parent/guardian is responsible for getting the student to and from school during the period of suspension.
Further violations will result in extended suspensions as determined by the building Principal. The school authorities will accept the bus driver's report based on what infraction the driver observed.
Bus drivers will avoid getting into discussions with parents/guardians about infractions.
III. Parental Concerns
The following procedures are guidelines in regard to parental transportation concerns:
A. All parental concerns shall be directed to the building Principal.
B. Parental concerns about inappropriate behavior by students that are not addressed by the bus driver may be brought to the attention of the building Principal.
C. Questions or concerns about the transportation policy should be brought to the attention of the Superintendent.
D. Should attempts by the parent to resolve their complaint by using the procedure described in Section III of this regulation not be to their satisfaction, Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-186 provides parents the right to have the Board of Education review their complaint in a hearing forum.
IV. Other Related Transportation Issues
A. Students who are transported to school by automobile are to be dropped off in designated areas. Procedures concerning pick-up and drop-off safety will be distributed to parents.
B. Transportation for students on field trips must be contracted from a licensed provider. Notification of the means of transportation will be included with the notice and permission slip for the field trip. As appropriate, policy governing daily bus transportation will apply to field trips.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-186 Duties of local and regional boards of education
10-220 Duties of boards of education
14-275 Equipment and color of school buses
14-275a Use of standard school bus required, when.
14-275b Transportation of handicapped students.
14-275c Regulations re school buses and motor vehicles used to transport special education students.
14-276a (c) Town/school district may require its school bus operators to have completed a safety training course.
14-280 Letters and signals to be concealed when not used in transporting children. Signs on other vehicles.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2001, P.L. 107-110, 42 U.S.C., Sections 11431-11435
Regulation approved: December 5, 2006
Regulation revised: May 1, 2007
Regulation revised: December 18, 2007
Regulation revised: September 16, 2008
Regulation revised: June 4, 2013
Regulation revised: October 7, 2014
NEW HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
New Hartford, Connecticut