FILE:  ED-R

Cf:  ED, GBRJ

 

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

 

 

The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board requires the Superintendent or designee to establish and maintain appropriate regulations governing the student transportation programs.  Provisions of the student transportation program shall include at least the following:

 

  1. Bus operators shall be given the opportunity to be assigned to a newly created or vacated bus route.  This shall be accomplished in accordance with seniority of the bus operators involved and applicable state law.
     

  2. Bus turnarounds established by the School Board shall be properly maintained by the School Board provided the cost of repairs does not exceed $300.00.  Should the cost of repairs exceed $300.00, said request for repairs shall be referred to the appropriate committee for disposition.
     

  3. A record shall be maintained of all buses that are delayed in route or out of service because of mechanical problems.
     

  4. Students shall not be transported from locations outside of their home-school attendance zone except those students attending special schools approved by the School Board, unless a request is submitted to and approved by the School Board.
     

  5. Bus transportation shall be provided students residing on nonpublic roads provided:

 

    1. Nonpublic roads will be served only if they are properly maintained.
       

    2. Bus operators are given the discretion in determining whether nonpublic roads are passable.
       

    3. The bus operator shall inform the principals of the schools served when he/she is unable to transport students.
       

    4. The principals shall inform the parents involved and the School Board office.

 

  1. Other transportation shall be provided by the Board for students who reside on nonpublic roads when it has been determined by the bus operator that he/she cannot transport the students, and the Supervisor of Transportation has determined that the parents cannot provide transportation.  This transportation will be provided until the next scheduled School Board meeting if necessary.
     

  2. The School Board shall not establish any new bus routes on roads that have not been accepted by the West Baton Rouge Parish Police Jury or a municipality.

 

All newly employed bus operators shall be required to successfully complete a pre-service training program consisting of:

 

 1.

The Defensive Driving Course of the National Safety Council Driver Improvement Program - 8 hours.

 

 2.

The Standard First-Aid Course of the American Red Cross, Multi-Media System - 8 hours.

 

 3.

The Core Units of the National School Bus Driver Instructional Program - 8 hours.

 

*4.

Observing the operation of a bus being operated by an experienced operator.

 

*5.

Supervised instruction behind the wheel with the bus empty at first and then with children aboard, which shall be of a length commensurate with ability.  This instruction shall be provided by an experienced operator.

 

       *    A total of 16 hours credit for #4 and #5.

 

Minibuses shall also be used to transport handicapped students placed in facilities outside the parish.  Students receiving ECA monies and students the school system cannot provide services for shall only be transported by the minibuses.  Said minibuses shall operate on the parish time schedule in all cases involving early dismissal.

 

Substitute bus operators who drive "extra runs" shall receive 65% of the regular rate the bus operator normally receives as compensation for said "extra runs."

 

REPLACEMENT BUSES

 

Reasonable attempts shall be made to secure a bus from a former West Baton Rouge operator when replacement buses are needed.   However, no used bus shall be purchased until it has passed an inspection and has been approved by the Supervisor of Transportation.  The School Board shall pay the owner all of the reimbursement for operational costs plus the difference between the salary of a regular operator and a substitute.  The owner of the bus shall be required to maintain the bus in good running order.

 

BUS OPERATORS OWNING MORE THAN ONE BUS

 

Regular bus operators may own and operate more than one bus to be used for extra trips only.  The owner of the bus shall be responsible for paying 100% of the liability insurance for each additional bus.  The School Board shall rebate 50% of the liability insurance monthly premium for such period of time that the bus is leased by the School Board.  All bus operators who have purchased additional or excess insurance to cover field trips with outside agencies shall present true and accurate copies of the valid insurance policies to be placed on file with the Supervisor of Transportation.  Additionally, the insurer shall be notified that upon cancellation/expiration of the policy, the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board shall be immediately notified in writing.

 

Revised:  July, 1994

Revised:  February, 1998

 

 

Ref:     Board minutes, 8-2-78, 12-2-81, 4-6-83, 8-8-89, 12-20-89, 4-18-90, 5-18-94

 

West Baton Rouge Parish School Board