702.00 - Student School Transportation

702.00 - Student School Transportation dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:08

702.01 - School Transportation Services

The policy and rules and regulations for the transportation of students to and from school shall be in strict compliance with statutory provisions, State Department of Education regulations and rules, and regulations established and approved by the Board of Directors.

Any individuals eligible for transportation services pursuant to state or federal law shall receive appropriate transportation services. The board shall annually approve bus routes upon the recommendation of the superintendent and the transportation director. Routes will be determined after considering the number of students to be transported in each area of the district, the seating capacity of the buses, the distance to be traveled, safety factors, efficiency and economy of the routes, and such other factors as deemed pertinent. The superintendent or the superintendent’s designee may temporarily adjust routes as deemed necessary.

(April 18,1983; July 7, 2003; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:08

702.01 R1 - Students Eligible for School Transportation Services Regulation

Elementary students are legally eligible for transportation if they live more than two (2) miles from the school designated for attendance, and secondary students are entitled if they live more than three (3) miles.

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 childcare 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.

Students residing within corporate limits are not entitled to transportation to and from school except under the following conditions:

Transportation is provided from the elementary attendance center and Middle School building to the High School attendance center for all High School pupils residing within the corporate limits of any town within the district.
The board may at their discretion, provide transportation for resident elementary children who live within corporate limits, if it is proven that extreme safety hazards exist. Transportation is provided from present attendance centers for all students attending school within the corporate limits of a town other than that within which they reside, except all high school students will be transported to the High School building.
School bus transportation for students participating in after school activities is available to the attendance centers located in Chelsea, Tama, and Toledo as well as to the community of Montour.
Special transportation may be provided for any pupil whose handicap for subsequent special education service requires him/her to be transported to and from or in and about school.
A parent or guardian of an elementary student whose residence is more than two (2) miles away may request that a licensed child day care facility be designated for pick-up and delivery of their child. The request shall be for a period of at least one semester and may not be submitted more than twice during a school year.

(April 18, 1983; December 16, 1991; June 16, 1997; May 20, 2002; July 7, 2003; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:09

702.01 R2 - Students Not Eligible for School Transportation Services Regulation

I. Route Transportation for Non-Eligible Students

Students who are not already eligible for bus transportation may avail themselves to bus route transportation, provided that each of the following conditions is met:

Parents or guardians provide a written request for transportation stating the date(s) and locations desired for pick-up and/or delivery.
No added mileage is required along existing bus routes.
There is existing space available on the bus route being requested.
The student’s conduct and behavior remains satisfactory.
Requested areas for stops must meet required standards for safety in the opinion of transportation employees who are charged with making those judgments.
The parent or guardian assumes responsibility to assure that children are promptly available for pick-up and adequately supervised upon delivery.

II. Discipline

Students who are unruly on the bus may be temporarily denied bus transportation after the building principal has had contact with the parent or guardian.

III. Distance from School

Distance from school or to a bus route shall be measured on the public highway only and over the most passable and safest route as determined by the Board of Directors, starting on the roadway opposite the private entrance to the residence of the pupil and ending in the roadway opposite the entrance to the school grounds or designated point on his route. Determination of distance shall be made by the Director of Transportation.

IV. Bus Stops or Pickup

Each year the Director of Transportation will establish the routes listing all bus stops. No other stops will be approved except by the Board of Education.

V. Inter-District Bus Transportation

Any student in the district may ride a bus between attendance centers without a pass.

(November 21, 1988; December 16, 1991; July 7, 2003; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:10

702.02 - School Transportation and Inclement Weather

School district vehicles will not operate when weather conditions due to fog, rain, snow or other natural elements make it unsafe to do so. Because weather conditions may vary around the school district and may change quickly, the best judgment possible will be used with the information available.

The superintendent or his/her designee will make the final judgment as to when to temporarily suspend bus services because of inclement weather or other emergencies make conditions unsafe. The judgment will be assisted by the transportation supervisor and “on location” reports of drivers. It is the driver’s responsibility to report road conditions. If radio contact is not possible, the driver will proceed to the next stop which does not present a hazard and make telephone contact personally, with the assistance of a student rider, monitor, or other person. When conditions deteriorate during the day, after school has begun, school may be canceled and students sent home.

Drivers, principals, and parents will be notified by designated commercial radio and TV stations when school and transportation is canceled or delayed.

If we have inclement weather where any individual driver determines that he/she does not have at least 300 feet of visibility in a pick up or drop off zone, he/she should try and do the following:

When picking up a student pull in the driveway of the place of residence and make the pick up off of the highway, turn around in the homestead and proceed on to the next stop and repeat the above if it happens in another pick up or drop off zone.

If unable to pull into the driveway and turn around, the driver should continue and not stop but notify the transportation manager by radio that this family was passed up due to unsafe conditions.

If the driver believes conditions are unsafe to continue, the driver should pull off the roadway, alert the transportation manager, and wait until conditions improve or until assistance or direction is provided.

(April 18, 1983; July 15, 1991; June 15, 1992; June 20, 1994; July 7, 2003; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:12

702.03 - School Transportation for School and Non-School Use

I. General Considerations

Specific uses of school vehicles for the following is authorized in order listed:

To cooperate with civil and military authorities in case of a disaster preparedness plan.
The daily and regular transportation of students to and from school, the transportation of school lunches and such incidental transportation of board members, staff and parents as may arise.
To and from school sponsored activities when under the directions of a qualified member of the staff. If the faculty member is an approved school bus driver, he/she can act both as a driver and faculty sponsor.
To facilitate the operation of school sponsored summer educational and extra-curricular programs.
Use by non-school sponsored groups and individuals.

The school vehicles shall not be used for activities except those planned and supervised by school authorities. Every effort shall be made to use local school vehicle transportation whenever a group of students is transported.

II. Non-School Sponsored Groups and Individuals Considerations

The school district will make school vehicles available to non-school groups when it does not interfere with the regular educational program or activity program of the students of the school system, and buses with qualified drivers are available. The following terms and purposes will be observed:

Adult “Pep” Buses: School bus transportation may be used for adults, as spectators to attend those events outside the regular school day in which STC students are participating provided that at least 20 adults are transported on each bus. Each adult is to be charged a fee sufficient to reimburse the district for the cost as indicated below.
Elementary or preschool age children may ride the adult pep bus at the regular student rate provided that they are accompanied by their own parent or guardian.

Rental for Non-School Purposes (in order of priority):
a.
For students who regularly attend STC district when the purpose of the sponsorship is primarily non-profit (Example: 4H groups, etc.).
b. For senior citizen groups when the purpose of the sponsorship is primarily non-profit.
c. For other adult groups when the purpose of the sponsorship is primarily non-profit and the sponsoring individual or group is non-profit in nature.
d. Non-profit groups in a fund raising endeavor, and for profit commercial enterprises activities judged acceptable by the administration. Fees calculated in this category shall be multiplied by 1.25 (or 125% of actual costs). The administration may elect to negotiate an alternative fee above estimated costs for special purposes and long-term regular use.

Non-school groups have the following restrictions placed on their use of school vehicles:

School vehicles may not be scheduled for use by individuals or groups who have past-due accounts for past facility or bus rental fees or assessments.

Rental of school vehicles may be denied for selected occasions, such as holidays, if necessary school personnel are not available.

School vehicles can only be used if an adult resident of the district signs an agreement to pay the required fees, to accept liability for all damages and personal injury resulting from and during the usage, and to adhere to regulations established by the administration. The Board of Directors shall be the sole judge of unwarranted destruction of property or damages.

School vehicles can only be used if a school employee or other adult, judged to be qualified by the administration, is available to take responsibility for supervision. When costs are involved, the organization or individual arranging for use shall pay for supervision. If non-school sponsored student groups are permitted to use facilities, they may be required to pay the cost of adult supervision. Employees of the school who are paid extra for supervision of facilities must be paid by the district and the district may be reimbursed by the organization/individual using the facilities.

It will be the responsibility of the organization renting the school vehicles to refuse admission to the school vehicles to person or persons who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The use of a school vehicles is restricted for purposes accepted by the administration as being in good taste. Good taste will include a judgment of community acceptability, timing, etc.

Use of school vehicles may be denied if the use would cause the district to require a school employee to work on a Sunday morning.

The administration may deny the use of school vehicles when it might interfere with higher priority use, when it might interfere with required maintenance or cleaning, when safety or supervisions provisions cause concern, when the nature of the activity causes concern or is not clearly defined, or when energy costs indicate the fees would be insufficient to cover costs.

School vehicles will not normally be rented to groups or individuals who reside outside the South Tama County District, and buses will not normally be rented unless those to be transported are primarily residents of South Tams County District.

Non-school groups interested in renting school transportation should contact the superintendent or his designee at least one week prior to the event. The superintendent or his designee will direct the transportation and secure the driver. Groups will pay the annual cost per mile as figured on the latest completed Annual Transportation Report. Except for adult pep buses, an additional fee will be charged non-school groups to reimburse for the cost of driver salary, benefits, and expenses for non-driving time. All payments will be made to the South Tama Community District.

All laws and rules pertaining to student transportation will be observed by non-school groups transported.

(April 18, 1983; December 19, 1994; July 7, 2003 ; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:13

702.03 R1 - School Transportation for School Trips Regulation

I. Requests for Field Trips

Requests for field trips should be made on a trip request form and should be approved by the Principal. These requests should identify the grade and class and tell why the trip is being taken. The number of students should be specified and the time for the bus to be at the building and the length of the trip and return time should also be listed. Requests for transportation for field trips should be made Wednesday preceding the week of the trip.

Parents may be invited to accompany the class on a field trip. They may be of some help in caring for the children and this practice helps to interpret the school program to parents.

Requests for field trips shall be directed to the principal and then to the Superintendent’s designee so bus travel may be arranged.

II. Transportation for Field Trips

Certain school vehicles will be available for trips which can be taken between the hours of 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. All activity and field trips should be made in the following conveyances only:

School bus or school-owned vehicles
Commercial Carrier
Passenger cars or other conveyances carrying one adult designated as the sponsor or chaperone.

Students arriving at any activity by means other than authorized by the school, are ineligible for that activity, and will not be allowed to participate unless previously approved by the appropriate event supervisor for good cause and in writing.

Each student is required to return from all activity trips by the same conveyance he/she used to arrive. The only exception to this rule is that a parent may, upon written request, secure permission for the student to return with the parent.

The activity sponsor is responsible for the conduct of students to, from, and at the scheduled activity.

(April 18, 1983; July 15, 1991; May 17, 1999; July 7, 2003; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:16

702.03 R2 - School Transportation for Activity Shuttle Regulation

The school district may offer an after-school shuttle for eligible students in grades 6-12, to Chelsea/Vining, Montour, and to Tama. The following guidelines shall apply to after school shuttles:

The minimum number of eligible students to authorize an activity shuttle will be one (1) student.

If an activity bus is scheduled for eligible students, then ineligible students may be permitted to ride, but a bus will not be scheduled if no eligible student is scheduled, and may be canceled without advance notice if no eligible student is scheduled to ride.

Eligible students are those who engage in STC sponsored activities requiring time after school and include:

Students engaged in an STC activity (sports, fine arts, etc.) that are scheduled for practice or performance after school and end prior to the activity bus departure.
Special occasions, not seasonal activities, related to a school class or activity which are verified by the teacher/sponsor (such as: group projects, rehearsals, etc.).
Organized building level tutoring sessions for students (does not include staying after school as assigned by a specific teacher for work not completed.)

Ineligible students are students who delay transportation home for reasons other than a STC sponsored activity and includes:

Students who voluntarily or involuntarily stay after school for discipline reasons or volunteer work not related to a class project or activity that is verified by a sponsor, coach, or teacher. (NOTE: Students detained after school for disciplinary reasons or make-up work may ride the shuttle if it is already scheduled. If not, they will be given a choice of at least two dates in which his/her family can arrange alternate transportation.)
Students who visit with friends after school, run personal or family errands, etc.
Students who attend or participate in activities or functions that are not school related.
Students who attend school activities as spectators.
Students who hold after-school jobs or perform community service whether in the school or outside school.

For season activity (such as a sport) – a family whose eligible student participates will be expected to verify that the student will utilize the shuttle service. The sponsor/coach of the activity is to notify school officials when it is known in advance that an activity will be suspended for a particular date(s). The school must be notified by the family when it is known in advance that the student will temporarily or indefinitely cease using the shuttle service.

If a small number (to be determined by the administration) of students use a shuttle on a regular basis, the attendance center will notify transportation officials if all such students are absent on a given date so that the shuttle can be canceled.

For intermittent or special occasions – (such as rehearsals) the sponsor/coach/teacher will verify that eligible students wish to ride the shuttle and notify transportation, at least one full day in advance, of which eligible students are scheduled to ride on which date(s).

(December 15, 1997; July 7, 2003; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:17

702.04 - Conduct on School Transportation

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 transportation director and building administrator.

The board supports the use of video cameras on school vehicles used for transportation to and from school as well as for field trips, curricular, or extracurricular events. The video cameras will be used to monitor student behavior and may be used as evidence in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding. The videotapes are student or employee records subject to school district confidentiality, and applicable board policy.

Transportation privileges will be withdrawn and/or denied to any and all students who fail to conform to accepted standards of our handbooks, regulations and policies. The superintendent, or designee, may suspend a student from bus transportation for misconduct related to bus transportation. For gross misconduct or repeated misconduct following other forms of discipline, the superintendent may recommend to the Board that a student be suspended from bus transportation for a long term.

(April 18, 1983; July 15, 1991; June 20, 1994; May 20, 1996; July 7, 2003; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:18

702.04 R1 - Video/Audio Recording on School Transportation Regulation

The board supports the use of video/audio cameras on school transportation as a means to monitor and maintain a safe environment for students and employees. The video/audio cameras may be used on buses or other school vehicles used for transportation to and from school, field trips, curricular events and extracurricular events. The contents of the video/audio recordings may be used as evidence in a student or employee disciplinary proceeding.

Student and Employment Records

The content of the video/audio recordings may be a student or employment record subject to board policy and administrative regulations regarding confidential student and employment records. If the video/audio recording is considered a student record, only those persons with a legitimate educational purpose may view the video/audio recordings. In most instances, those individuals with a legitimate educational purpose may be the superintendent, building principal, transportation director, bus driver and special education staffing team. A video/audio recording recorded during a school-sponsored trip, such as an athletic event, may also be accessible to the sponsor or coach of the activity. If the content of the video/audio recording becomes the subject of a student or employee disciplinary proceeding, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding.

Notice

The school district will annually provide the following notice to students and parents:

The South Tama County Community School District Board of Directors has authorized the use of video/audio cameras on school district buses. The video/audio cameras will be used to monitor student behavior to maintain order on the school buses to promote and maintain a safe environment. Students and parents are hereby notified that the content of the video/audio recordings may be used in a student disciplinary proceeding. The content of the video/audio recordings are confidential student records and will be retained with other student records. Video/audio recordings will only be retained if necessary for use in a student disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined necessary by the administration. Parents may request to view video/audio recordings of their child if the video/audio recordings are used in a disciplinary proceeding involving their child.

The following notice will also be placed on all school transportation equipped with a video/audio camera:

This vehicle is equipped with a video/audio monitoring system.

Review of Video/Audio Recordings

The school district may review video/audio recordings randomly. The video/audio recordings may be recirculated for erasure after 10 school days.

Viewing of video/audio recordings is limited to the individuals having a legitimate educational purpose. A written log will be kept of those individuals viewing the video/audio recordings stating the time, name of individual viewing, and the date the video recording was viewed.

Video/Audio Monitoring System

Video/audio cameras will be rotated randomly on school district transportation.

Determination of how video/audio cameras will be used and which school buses or vehicles will be equipped with video/audio equipment will be made by the superintendent in consultation with the building principals and transportation director.

Student Conduct

Students are prohibited from tampering with the video/audio cameras on the school buses or vehicles. Students found in violation of this regulation will be disciplined in accordance with the school district discipline policy and Good Conduct Rule and will reimburse the school district for any repairs or replacement necessary as a result of the tampering.

(November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:19

702.05 - School Vehicle Idling

The board recognizes that it has a role in reducing environmental pollutants and in assisting students and others to be free from pollutants that may impact their respiratory health. Unnecessary vehicle idling emits pollutants and wastes fuel. The board directs the superintendent, in conjunction with the Director of Transportation, to work on administrative regulations to implement this policy and reduce school vehicle idling time.

(December 6, 2010; May 2, 2011; June 23, 2014; November 18, 2019)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:20

702.06 - School Vehicle Seat Belt Use

It is the goal of the South Tama County Community School District to provide the safest student transportation possible. The District requires that all students riding a school district bus equipped with seat belts or any school vehicle equipped with seat belts wear seat belts while the bus is in motion. Beginning in 2019-20, the District is purchasing school buses equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts, and the requirements of this policy will apply to students riding on said buses.

Drivers are not responsible and/or liable for students wearing seat belts while riding in any school vehicle. Drivers will instruct students to put on seat belts prior to the bus leaving a school. Drivers will announce prior to the bus leaving that each student needs to be in their seat with the seat belt fastened.

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 seats before the bus is in motion. All students will receive instruction on the proper use of seat belts during the twice-annual bus safety drills.

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.

(February 4, 2020)

dawn@iowaschoo… Fri, 05/29/2020 - 18:21