Student Transportation Management
The Transportation Department shall be organized to provide school transportation service for eligible students (see Policy 2340, 2. a., b., c., for distance to school for eligibility guidelines) based on safety, efficiency, adequacy, and economy. The following shall be taken into consideration in developing the school transportation system:
1. Every school bus ride is a learning experience and the school bus ride should also leave students in the proper frame of mind to take full advantage of the instructional program offered.
2. Rules and regulations pertaining to the transportation of public school students in the State of Utah have been established by the Utah State Legislature and the Utah State Board of Education and are found in Section 41-6a- 1301-1309 of the Utah Criminal and Traffic Code, 2015 Edition, the Utah Administrative Code R277-600 “Student Transportation Standards and Procedures”, and Utah Administrative Code R277-601 “Standards for Utah School Buses and Operations”. Items covered in this law shall be strictly enforced:
a. Specifications Governing New School Bus Equipment
b. Inspection of Buses
c. Qualifications for School Bus Drivers
d. Driving Rules and Regulations
3. Certain other driving regulations pertaining to school bus drivers and school transportation are set forth in the Utah Criminal and Traffic Code, 2015 Edition.
4. The District will also be in compliance with the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.
5. The Board shall establish its school bus system to conform to or exceed minimum state and federal standards.
Student Transportation Safety
All buses and other vehicles owned and operated by the Weber School District shall be inspected for safety by the assigned driver and District Transportation Supervisor and Transportation maintenance staff on a regular basis. The District Transportation Supervisor shall develop and maintain a safety inspection record which shall be filled out and signed by the individual who conducts the inspection. In addition, all buses shall be available for regular state inspections by the proper state agency. Any defects noted by either the regular local or state inspection shall be remedied immediately.
All drivers shall be instructed in first aid and shall hold at least a valid Standard First Aid Certificate.
All accidents, regardless of the damage involved, must be reported to the District Transportation Supervisor. Any part of the bus rubbing, scraping, or touching any other object or vehicle in such a manner as to cause damage to the bus or object constitutes an accident.
Any accident involving another vehicle, injury or death must be immediately reported to appropriate local law enforcement. Accident report forms must also be completed and filed with the District Transportation Supervisor.
Unauthorized Bus Stops, Alternate Bus Stop Requests, Eligibility
1. Students eligible for transportation will not be picked up or dropped off at an unauthorized bus stop along an established bus route.
2. A written request (“Alternate Bus Stop Request” form) to pick up or drop off a student at an alternate authorized bus stop along an established bus route will be considered by the eligible bus student’s school administrator and/or District Transportation Supervisor when the parent/legal guardian finds it necessary to make temporary provisions for the student’s supervision before or after school hours because of extenuating circumstances. This form can be found on the “Transportation” link under “Departments” on the District web site. (WSD.NET)
3. Eligibility: Eligible students are those students assigned to their specific bus.
Utah Administrative Code R277-600-4-B, F defines eligibility as follows:
A. Transportation eligibility for elementary students (K-6) and secondary students (7-12) is determined in accordance with the mileage from home specified in Section 53A-17a- 127(1) and (2) to the school attended by assignment of the local board.
B. The distance from home to school is determined as follows: From the center of the public route (road, thoroughfare, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the regular entrance of the one where the pupil is living, over the nearest public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open regularly for use by the public, to the center of the public route (thoroughfare, road, walkway, or highway) open to public use, opposite the nearest public entrance to the school grounds which the student is attending.
Scheduling, Routing and Parking of School Buses
1. A map will be prepared to establish bus routes that will adequately meet the needs of eligible students residing within the eligible busing area of their assigned school of attendance.
2. Satisfactory school bus stops will be identified along streets and highways where buses can travel with the least amount of risk.
3. Students will be assigned to a specific stop according to their registered address in their assigned school of attendance. This registered address must be within the eligible busing area of the assigned school boundaries.
4. Standard procedure will be developed to keep the bus in a secure area at the driver's home, place of driver's employment or at the Transportation Motor Pool between route runs, activity or field trips, when not in use, and when any savings to the school district can be affected.
5. Parking a bus overnight at home will be approved only if it is clearly evident that such an arrangement will specifically benefit the School District.
6. Stopping and parking of buses between regular route runs, activity or field trips, or while waiting to resume the bus runs must be at safe and convenient parking areas adjacent to trip routes.
7. Drivers whose requests for home parking have been approved must constantly demonstrate that proper pre-trip inspections, maintenance, cleanliness, protection, and safety are always provided. Drivers will be responsible for theft from buses.
8. Permission for home parking, temporary mid-day parking locations, and special parking arrangements may be withdrawn at any time if it is clear that the above provisions are not being met. Deviations from assigned routes, field trips and activity trip runs will be administratively determined by the District Transportation Supervisor.
Bus Transportation, Bus Stops, Routes and Distance Regulations
1. Bus Stops: Bus stops must not be less than 3 tenths of a mile apart.
2. Walking Distance from Home:
a. Elementary students (Grades K-6) may be required to walk up to 1.5 miles and Secondary students (Grades 7-12) may be required to walk up to 2 miles from their registered address to a bus stop.
b. Elementary students who live less than 1.5 miles from school and secondary students who live less than 2 miles from school are not eligible for transportation. State funding for transportation is not provided unless the state formula regarding student eligibility is followed. Parents should assume responsibility for getting students to and from school within the 1.5 and 2 mile distances.
c. Parents of elementary students who live beyond 1.5 miles from the established bus route and parents of secondary students who live beyond 2 miles from the established bus route may be reimbursed an amount determined by the Board of Education for transporting their students from their registered address to the nearest bus stop on the regular bus route.
3. Bus Routes: Bus routes will be established at the beginning of each school year in accordance with the regulations listed above and in accordance with sound economical and safety practices. Buses will be routed in such a manner as to provide approved transportation services that are economically feasible, safe and practical. The minimum number of general education students required to establish a route is ten: the minimum number of students with disabilities is five.
4. Bus Space Availability: If it is determined that there is space available on a school bus on a regular route, ineligible students living within the schools boundaries may be allowed to ride the bus. Priority is given to students who live the farthest distance from the school. Ineligible students must be given formal approval by the District Transportation Supervisor to use bus transportation. Students will be required to board the bus at the closest eligible bus stop to their registered address. This space available transportation expires at the end of each school year and may be withdrawn at any time. Determination of space available will not be made until after the first two weeks of the school year. If it is determined that there is space available, application for transportation will be received by the Transportation Office. This application form can be found on the “Transportation” link under “Departments” on the District web site. (WSD.NET)
5. Open Enrollment: Open enrollment students are responsible for providing their own transportation. (Refer to Policy 2340 #4) (Refer to disclosure statement on “Open Enrollment Application”)
Student Conduct
While Utah law requires the School District to provide transportation for eligible students, it does not relieve parents or guardians from the responsibility of supervision until such time as the student boards the bus in the morning and after the student leaves the bus at the end of the school day.
In view of the fact that a bus is an extension of the classroom, the Board of Education shall require students to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with established standards for appropriate behavior any time they are waiting to board a bus, riding a bus, or after exiting a bus.
In cases when a student does not display proper conduct on a bus, such instances are to be brought to the attention of the school administrator by the driver. The school administrator shall inform the parents or guardians of the misconduct, and request their cooperation in remediating the concern, and inform them of any disciplinary action taken.
Students who become a serious safety or disciplinary problem or who have multiple minor incidents on the school bus may have their riding privileges suspended by the school administrator. In such cases, the parents or guardians of the student involved become responsible for transporting their student to and from school safely.
Due Process: Unresolved issues or complaints related to student conduct or the consequences thereof, will be decided by the student’s school administration in cooperation with the Transportation Supervisor and the bus driver who reported the incident. Appeal may be made to the appropriate Elementary or Secondary Supervisor at the District office level if necessary.
