Policy 4551 – Transportation of Students

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The Eastern Suffolk BOCES Regional Transportation Office performs several functions as a transportation service provider for numerous districts by providing safe, efficient, and economical transportation. The cost of the transportation is prorated among the districts sharing the service.

Career and technical education students shall be transported from their local high schools or homes to the ESBOCES center. Full-time special education students ordinarily shall be transported from their homes to an ESBOCES facility or non-ESBOCES special education facility.

At times, special transportation will need to be arranged for the needs and programs of the special education students, and this may cause a delay in their enrollment. Whenever possible, transportation services will begin within three (3) days of notification from the district.

Field and coach trip transportation service is provided, which includes coach buses, large school buses, vans, and wheelchair vans.

Transportation of Area Students to Neighboring BOCES

Upon recommendation of the District Superintendent, Chief Operating Officer, or designee, ESBOCES may provide transportation, upon requests of districts, to programs conducted by other BOCES in the region. The cost to ESBOCES for the transportation will be prorated among the districts according to the number of their students being transported at any given time.

Districts wishing to utilize this shared transportation service must make written request of ESBOCES on dates prescribed by Education Law and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

School Bus Safety Program

The safety and welfare of student riders shall be the first consideration in all matters pertaining to transportation. Among policies to be observed are the following:

1. Contracts shall require all drivers to meet all State and Federal licensing and training requirements for driving a school bus.

2. Drivers, monitors, and attendants shall follow and enforce established safety rules and rules of conduct.

3. A minimum of three (3) emergency bus drills shall be conducted during the instructional year. The first shall be held during the first full week of classes, the second between November 1 and December 31, and the third between March 1 and April 30.

4. ESBOCES-approved policy and regulations will be followed in the event of an accident, no matter how minor.

5. All vehicles used to transport children shall be maintained by contractors in such condition as to provide safe and efficient transportation service with a minimum of delays and disruptions of such service due to mechanical or equipment failure.

6. All transportation shall be in accordance with State regulations and specifications listed in ESBOCES contracts.

7. Contracts shall require all monitors/attendants to take special training to meet all State requirements.

Use of Cell Phones and Portable Electronic Devices Prohibited

Use of portable electronic devices by a school bus driver at times the vehicle is in operation on the roadway poses a potential safety risk. All school bus drivers are prohibited from using portable electronic devices while the bus is in operation and students are on the bus.

Personal cell phones are to be placed in the "off" position when in the possession of the school bus driver while the bus is in operation. Cell phones may be used in case of emergency.

Definitions

"Portable electronic device" shall mean any mobile telephone (hand held or "hands free"), personal digital assistant (PDA), portable device with mobile data access, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, two-way messaging device, electronic game, or portable computing device.

"Using" shall mean holding a portable electronic device while viewing, taking or transmitting images; playing games; or composing, sending, reading, viewing, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving or retrieving e-mail, text messages, or other electronic data.

"In operation" shall mean that the bus engine is running, whether in motion or not.

References:

· 49 USC §31308

· Education Law §3624

· Vehicle and Traffic Law §§501, 509a-o

· 8 NYCRR §156.3

· 15 NYCRR Part 6

· Administrative Regulation 4551R.1 - Bus Accident Emergency Procedure

First Adopted: 7/1/03

Readopted: 7/11/07

Readopted: 9/23/09

Readopted: 8/29/12