Butte School District

Noninstructional Operations

8107P

Transportation of Students

Routes are to be planned so students are not required to ride in excess of one (1) hour, one (1) way. Time schedules on all published routes are to be closely adhered to by bus drivers, to eliminate needless waiting by students or the school bus at bus stops. Unless ahead of schedule, drivers will not wait for students to arrive at bus stops.

No bus student will be discharged by a driver at a place other than the student’s designated stop, unless:

The student’s parent (and/or stepparent or guardian) has made written, signed request for delivery of the student at a place other than the designated stop.

The written, signed request is specific as to duration, i.e., specifically stating the dates and times for which the parent authorizes such delivery of the student, and when the special arrangement will terminate.

The director of transportation has specifically approved the request, in writing. The written approval will be kept on file with the request.

It is recognized that family or home circumstances may necessitate a student either to board or to exit a District bus stop other than their own or in the event a current student riding the bus must provide shelter and meals for another student because of unusual circumstances such as parent being out of town. No permission will be granted, when the request is deemed to be based upon social gatherings. For these exceptions, the following procedure is to be followed:

The parent making the request will first attempt to contact the director of transportation, specifying the name, parent(s) of student(s) involved in the request, date(s), and circumstances of the request.

In the event the requesting parent cannot contact the director of transportation, due to his being unavailable or out of reach or due to timeliness such as impending school dismissal, the parent will contact the building administrator to make the request, including the above information.

The building administrator or designee, if granting approval of the parent’s request, will issue the student an emergency transportation request signed by that administrator, to be hand-delivered to the driver of the involved bus. The original of the form will be submitted to the director of transportation and a copy kept on file by the building principal. This memo will provide safe passage for the student(s), in compliance with the parental request.

The parent or guardian of a special education student unable to attend school for a period of two (2) or more days, due to illness, etc., must notify the transportation department to avoid cancellation of scheduled pickup. Pupils attending kindergarten or special education programs, who reside in rural or isolated areas of the District, will ride scheduled route buses assigned to their respective service area. Transportation schedules will be published prior to the beginning of the school year and at times changes are required.

All students riding school buses will receive instruction and participate in two (2) emergency evacuation drills during the school year. School bus discipline procedures will be made part of the School Bus Handbook for Students.

Administrative Guidelines

Due to excessive distance, impassable roads, or other special circumstances of isolation, the District may elect to enter into a contract with the parent or guardian for individual transportation. Reimbursement will be in accordance with § 20-10-142, MCA, Schedule of maximum reimbursement for individual transportation.

Transportation routes for all eligible transportees will be prepared by the director of transportation, subject to county service areas established by the county transportation committee. The director of transportation will be responsible for route supervision during the school year.

Transportation of Ineligible Transportees

The Board will establish school bus routes, subject to approval of the county transportation committee. Such routes will service eligible transportees on the approved routes for the school year. Such routes will be established by the thirtieth (30th) day of busing each school year.

Eligible bus ridership will also be determined by the thirtieth (30th) day of busing each school year. When eligible bus ridership has been determined, available bus seating on each bus route will be determined by assigning seating space in accordance with the age of the student (i.e., students through fourth (4th) grade will be assigned a thirteen-inch (13") seating space; students sixth (6th) grade and over will be assigned a twenty-inch (20") seating space. A three-(3) -seat buffer will be established for eligible transportees who ride only occasionally. After bus seating has been allocated to eligible transportees and a three-(3)-seat buffer established, any remaining seating will be made available to ineligible transportees who attend the school(s) serviced by the school bus route.

Parent or guardian application for possible available seating for ineligible transportees may be solicited by a newspaper advertisement within three (3) weeks after the school year begins. Acceptance of applications will remain open for two (2) weeks, and any available seats will be assigned at that time. Ineligible transportees of the applying parents who live the greatest distance from school over the bus route will fill such seats. Such seats will be available for the school year, unless eligible transportees who wish to ride the bus move into the area serviced by the bus route. Riding privileges of ineligible transportees closest to the school will then be suspended.

There will be a charge of one dollar ($1) per school day, per semester, for ridership of ineligible transportees. Such charge will be calculated and collected at the time an ineligible transportee bus pass is issued. Bus passes for ineligible transportees will expire at the end of each semester. Refunds on ineligible fees will be made, only when the ineligible transportee’s ridership has been lost to an eligible transportee. Such refunds will be calculated from the date of lost privileges to the end of the current semester.

Ineligible transportees with ridership privileges are subject to the same District policies and transportation rules as eligible transportees.

Authorized Passengers

Due to insurance policies, only authorized passengers will be allowed to ride local buses. The insurance covers only coaches, advisors, sponsors, directors, team members, teachers directly involved in the activity, and chaperons enlisted by the District. Insurance coverage applies only to “authorized passengers,” not to spouses and children. Friends of eligible transportees are not authorized passengers.

Legal References:
§ 20-10-107, MCA   Power of trustees
§ 20-10-109, MCA  Liability insurance for school bus
§ 20-10-121, MCA    Duty of trustees to provide transportation – types of transportation – bus riding time limitation
§ 20-10-122, MCA    Discretionary provision of transportation and payment for this transportation
§ 20-10-142, MCA    Schedule of maximum reimbursement for individual transportation

Procedure History:
Promulgated on: 10/18/04
Revised on