Bus Routes, Stops, and Non-Transportation Zones
Each year, no later than the regular Board meeting in August, the Executive Director or his or her designee shall present their recommendation for bus routes, school safety busing zones, and non-transportation zones to the Board of Directors. The Board shall consider student health and safety in considering the recommendations of the Executive Director or designee.
Definitions
“Safety Busing Zone” shall mean the transportation of a student who lives less than 1½ miles from school when, in the judgment of the Board, the age, health, or safety of the student warrants such action. See Policy § 8110 Safety Busing.
“Non-Transportation Zone” shall mean an area of the Charter School attendance area designated by the Board which is not served by Charter School transportation because of scarcity of students or remoteness, or because the condition of roads makes such service impractical.
Establishing Bus Routes
In order to operate the transportation system as safely and efficiently as possible, the following factors shall be considered in establishing bus routes:
1. School bus routes shall be established with due consideration of the sum total of local conditions affecting the safety, economic soundness, and convenience of its operation including road conditions, condition of bridges and culverts, hazardous crossings, presence of railroad tracks and arterial highways, extreme weather conditions and variations, length of route, number of families and children to be serviced, availability of turn-around points, capacity of bus, and other related factors. Further, the Board of Directors shall consider the criteria set out in its measuring and scoring instrument. See Policy 8110 Safety Busing, Exhibit 1.
2. School bus drivers are encouraged to make recommendations in regard to establishing or changing routes.
3. Parents should be referred to the Executive Director or designee for any request of change in routes, stops, or schedules.
4. At least once each year, the transportation supervisor or the Charter School’s school bus driver trainer shall evaluate each route for the purpose of assessing the safety of routes and bus stops. Documentation of the route evaluation shall be retained by the Charter School.
Bus Stops
Buses should stop only at designated places approved by school authorities. Exceptions should be made only in cases of emergency and inclement weather conditions. Bus stops shall be chosen with safety and protection of the health of the student in mind.
School loading and unloading zones are to be established and marked to provide safe and orderly loading and unloading of students. The Executive Director of each building is responsible for assuring the proper conduct of students waiting in loading zones.
Delay in Schedule
The schedule for pickup and delivery of children shall be followed as accurately as possible. The driver is to notify the administration of a delay in schedule. The administration will notify parents on routes and radio stations, if necessary.
Responsibilities - Pupils
Pupils must realize that safety is based on group conduct. Talk should be in conversational tones at all times. There should be no shouting or loud talking which may distract the bus driver. There should be no shouting at passersby. Pupils should instantly obey any command or suggestions from the driver and/or his or her assistants.
A pupil may be denied transportation upon a showing of good cause. The reason for the denial of transportation services shall be provided to the parent(s)/guardian(s) in writing.
Responsibilities - Parents
The interest and assistance of each parent is a valued asset to the transportation program. Parents’ efforts towards making each bus trip a safe and pleasant experience are requested and appreciated. The following suggestions are only three of the many ways parents can assist:
1. Ensure that students are at the bus stop in sufficient time to efficiently meet the bus;
2. Properly prepare children for weather conditions; and
3. Encourage school bus safety at home. Caution children regarding safe behavior and conduct while riding on the school bus.
Safety
The Executive Director shall develop written rules establishing the procedures for bus safety and emergency exit drills which comply with State law and Federal Highway Safety Guideline 17 for student conduct while riding on buses.
If the bus and driver are present, the driver is responsible for the safety of his or her passengers, particularly for those who must cross a roadway prior to loading or after leaving the bus. Except in emergencies, no bus driver shall order or allow a student to board or disembark at other than his or her assigned stop unless so authorized by the Executive Director. In order to assure the safety of all, the bus driver may hold students accountable for their conduct during the course of transportation and may recommend corrective action against a student. Bus drivers are expressly prohibited from using corporal punishment.
Further, the Board shall consider the criteria set out in its measuring and scoring instrument which, by this reference, is incorporated and attached to this policy.
The bus driver is responsible for the use of the warning and stop signaling systems and the consequent protection of his or her passengers. Failure to use the system constitutes negligence on the part of the driver.
Inclement Weather
The Board recognizes the unpredictability and resulting dangers associated with the weather in Idaho. To achieve the maximum safety for children and efficiency of operation, the Executive Director is empowered to make decisions as to the emergency operation of buses, the cancellation of bus routes, and the closing of schools in accordance with his or her best judgment. The Board may develop guidelines in cooperation with the Executive Director to assist him or her in making such decisions.
Cross Reference:
8110 Safety Busing
Legal Reference:
I.C. § 49-1422 Traffic — Enforcement and General Provisions Overtaking and Passing School Bus
Other References:
Standards for Idaho School Buses and Operations
Idaho Department of Education, Idaho’s School Bus Driver Training Classroom Curriculum
Policy History:
Adopted on: July 26, 2023
Revised on:
Reviewed on: