Elementary and middle school students living more than two miles from their designated school attendance centers and high school students living more than three miles from their designated attendance centers are entitled to transportation to and from their attendance center at the expense of the school district.
Transportation of students who require special education services will generally be provided as for other students, when appropriate. Specialized transportation of a student to and from a special education instructional service is a function of that service and, therefore, an appropriate expenditure of special education instructional funds generated through the weighting plan.
Transportation of a student to and from a special education support service is a function of that service and is specified, when necessary, in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). When the IEP or IFSP team determines that unique transportation arrangements are required, and the arrangements are specified in the IEP or IFSP, the district will provide one or more of the following transportation arrangements for instructional services and the area education association (AEA) for support services:
The district is not required to provide reimbursement to parents who elect to provide transportation in lieu of school-provided transportation.
A student may be required, at the school board’s discretion, to meet a school vehicle without reimbursement up to three-fourths of a mile. The board may require parents to transport their student up to two miles to connect with school transportation at the expense of the district, when conditions deem it advisable. It is within the discretion of the board to determine such conditions. Parents of students who live where transportation by school vehicles is impracticable or unavailable may be required to furnish transportation to and from the designated attendance center at the expense of the district. Parents who transport their student at the expense of the district are reimbursed at the rate per mile set by the State of Iowa.
Transportation arrangements made by agreement with a neighboring school district will follow the terms of the agreement. Students who choose to attend a school in a district other than their resident school district will provide transportation to and from the school at their own expense.
Students who have been granted an attendance exception request (AER) from their attendance center school to another school must provide their own transportation to the selected school.
The school board authorizes the superintendent [or designee] to establish bus routes for the district in accordance with this policy. Consideration of safe walkways, speed limits, and traffic density will be reviewed prior to the establishment of bus routes. When route changes are made the district will notify families, if possible, no later than six months prior to the change. If route changes are caused by construction, another entity, or a force majeure; the administration reserves the right to issue notice on a condensed timeline.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 10/12; 4/15; 11/18
Revised: 10/10; 9/11; 11/13; 8/14; 9/21; 2/24
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): 20 USC §§ 1401-1701; 34 CFR Pt 300; 356B.4; 285; 321; 281 IAC 41.412
IASB Reference: 711.01
Students utilizing school transportation will conduct themselves in an orderly manner fitting to their age level and maturity with mutual respect and consideration for the rights of the school vehicle driver, adult rider, and the other passengers. Students who fail to behave in an orderly manner will be subject to disciplinary measures.
The driver or adult rider will have the authority to maintain order on the school vehicle. It is the responsibility of the driver or adult rider to report misconduct to the transportation manager.
The board supports the use of recording devices on school vehicles used for transportation to and from school as well as for excursions/trips and curricular or co/extra-curricular events. The recording devices will be used to monitor student behavior and may be used as evidence in student disciplinary proceedings. The recordings are student records and subject to school district confidentiality, board policy, and administrative regulations.
The transportation manager determines the suspension or imposition of other appropriate student discipline in collaboration with the appropriate administrator.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] in conjunction with the transportation manager, to develop administrative regulations regarding student conduct and discipline when utilizing district transportation.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 9/11; 10/12; 4/15; 11/18
Revised: 10/10; 11/13; 9/21; 2/24
Related Policy: 502.1; 502.5; 502.5-R1-R3; 701.2-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8; 285; 321
IASB Reference: 711.02
Good student conduct contributes to safety. It helps to avoid accidents which may result from the distraction of the driver. It also reduces the number of accidents in which students injure themselves or others.
The following outline represents the standards and procedures relative to student conduct while riding on school vehicles. Violations of these standards will be reported to the transportation manager and the building principal.
The above sections will not apply to business and residence districts but will apply in suburban districts of cities and towns.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 10/12; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21
Revised: 9/11; 11/13; 2/24
Related Policy: 701.2; 701.3-11
IASB Reference: 711.02-R(1)
School district vehicles may be available to local non-profit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community, or recreational activities for transporting to and from non-school sponsored activities within the state as long as the transportation does not interfere with or disrupt the education program of the school district and does not interfere with or delay the transportation of students.
The local non-profit entity must pay the actual cost of using the district vehicle as determined by the transportation manager. Prior to making the district vehicle available to the local non-profit entity, the school bus signs will be covered and the flashing warning lamps and stop arm will be made inoperable.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to develop administrative regulations for use of district vehicles to transport students and others to school-sponsored events within the state and application for, use of, and payment for use of district vehicles by local non-profit entities for non-school sponsored activities.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 9/11; 10/12; 11/13; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21
Revised: 10/10; 2/24
Related Policy: 701.1; 701.2; 701.2-R1-R2; 701.4-11
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 285.1(21); .10(9-10); 281 IAC 43.10
IASB Reference: 711.06
Unassigned students may ride a school vehicle on its regular route only when the legal passenger capacity will not be exceeded.
For the safety and welfare of the students, the protection of the driver and/or adult rider, and the school district; the legal passenger capacity will be observed at all times.
Written or oral permission from parents must be provided to the transportation manager in advance.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 9/11; 10/12; 11/13; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21; 2/24
Revised: 2/09
The board has sole discretion to determine the method to be utilized for transporting non-resident and non-public students. Non-resident students paying tuition may be, and resident students attending a non-public school accredited by the State Department of Education, will be transported on an established public school vehicle route as long as such transportation does not interfere with resident public students’ transportation. Non-resident and non-public school students will obtain the permission of the superintendent [or designee] prior to being transported by the school district.
Parents of resident students who provide transportation for their students attending a non-public school accredited by the Iowa Department of Education will be reimbursed at the established state rate. This reimbursement will be paid only if the district receives the funds from the state. If less than the amount of funds necessary to fully reimburse parents of the non-public students is received by the district, the funds will be prorated.
The charge to the non-resident students will be determined based on the students’ pro rata share of the actual costs for transportation. The parents of these students will be billed for the students’ share of the actual costs of transportation. The billing is according to the schedule developed by the superintendent [or designee]. It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to determine the amount to be charged and report it to the business manager for billing.
Continued transportation of non-resident and non-public students on a public school vehicle route will be subject to resident public school students’ transportation needs. The superintendent [or designee] will make recommendations, as necessary, to the board regarding the method to be used. In making a recommendation to the board, the superintendent will consider the number of students to be transported, the capacity of the school vehicles, the financial condition of the district, and other factors deemed relevant by the board or superintendent.
Non-resident and non-public school students are subject to the same student conduct regulations as resident public students as prescribed by board policy and to other policies, rules, or regulations developed by the district regarding transportation of students by the school district.
Adopted: 4/99
Reviewed: 10/10; 9/11; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21; 2/24
Revised: 10/10; 10/12; 11/13
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 285.1-2; .10; .16
IASB Reference: 711.05
The board in its discretion may provide school district transportation for co/extra-curricular activities including, but not limited to, transporting student participants to and from co/extra-curricular activities.
Students participating in co/extra-curricular activities, other than those held at district facilities, may be transported to the co/extra-curricular activity by district transportation vehicles or by another means approved by the superintendent [or designee]. Students attending co/extra-curricular activities other than those held at the district facilities may be transported to the co/extra-curricular activity by district transportation vehicles.
The board authorizes the superintendent [or designee] to recover all costs for furnishing a vehicle and driver for students and patrons attending as spectators to co/extra-curricular activities as provided by state code. A district vehicle will be used as provided in this subsection only at times when it is not needed to transport students to and from school.
Students who are provided transportation in district transportation vehicles for co/extra-curricular activities will ride both to and from the event in the school vehicle unless arrangements have been made with the coach/sponsor/licensed personnel prior to the activity. A student's parent may personally appear and request to transport their student to and/or from a school-sponsored activity.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to make an annual report to the board on district transportation that has been provided. In making the report to the board, the superintendent [or designee] will consider the financial condition of the district, the number of students who would qualify for such transportation, and other factors the board or superintendent deem relevant.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to develop administrative regulations for the transportation of students to and/or from co/extra-curricular activities.
Adopted: 4/99
Reviewed: 10/12; 11/13; 4/15; 11/18; 2/24
Revised: 10/10; 9/11; 9/21
Related Policy: 502.1; 502.1-R; 502.5; 502.5-R1-R3; 502.6; 503.10
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 256B.4; 285.1-4; 321; 281 IAC 41.412
IASB Reference: 711.03
The school district may use school vehicles for transportation to and from summer co/extra-curricular activities. The superintendent [or designee] will make a recommendation to the board regarding use on an annual basis.
Transportation to and from a student’s attendance center for summer school instructional programs will be within the discretion of the superintendent. It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to make a recommendation regarding transportation of students in summer school instructional programs at the expense of the school district. In making the recommendation to the board, the superintendent [or designee] will consider the financial condition of the district, the number of students involved in the summer school programs, and other factors deemed relevant by the board or the superintendent.
Adopted: 6/70
Reviewed: 10/12; 11/13; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21; 2/24
Revised: 9/11
Related Policy: 602.4
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 285.10; 281 IAC 43.10; 41.412
IASB Reference: 711.04
The district will utilize three-point, lap-shoulder belts on district school buses as required by state law.
All three-point, lap-shoulder belts available on district buses will be used by passengers when the vehicle is in any non-stationary gear.
Adopted: 12/19
Reviewed: 9/21; 2/24
Related Policy: 701.10
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): 281 IAC 43.10
IASB Reference: 711.10
Mandatory Policy
The school district will conduct school bus safe riding practices instruction and emergency safety drills at least twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, for students who utilize school district transportation. Documentation of these safety drills will be maintained by the district for five years and made available upon request.
Each school bus vehicle will have, in addition to the regular emergency safety drill, a plan for helping those students who require special assistance to safety during an emergency. This will include, but not be limited to, students with disabilities.
School district vehicle drivers and adult riders are required to attend each safety drill.
All school personnel and designees must wear seat belts while operating school and private vehicles for school functions. All school personnel must use the tire protective cage when inflating or deflating a tire used on school buses and tractors.
Employees are responsible for instructing the proper techniques to be followed during an emergency, as well as safe riding practices.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] in conjunction with the transportation manager to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.
Adopted: 4/99
Reviewed: 10/10; 9/11; 10/12; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21; 2/24
Revised: 11/13; 12/19
Related Policy: 502.1; 502.1-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8; 321; 281 IAC 41.412; 43.40
IASB Reference: 711.07
The superintendent [or designee] will have the authority to close schools, to delay the start of schools, or to dismiss schools ahead of the regular schedule because of extreme weather or other emergency conditions for the length of time the emergency exists.
School district vehicles will not operate when weather conditions due to fog, rain, snow, or other natural elements make it unsafe to do so. Because weather conditions may vary around the district and may change quickly, the best judgment possible will be used with the information available.
Conditions other than weather could warrant an emergency situation. Each situation will be evaluated separately and handled with the best judgment possible keeping in mind the safety of students and staff.
The final judgment as to when conditions are unsafe to operate the schools will be made by the superintendent. The superintendent will be assisted by the actual “on location” decisions and reports of the transportation manager.
Parents, students, and drivers will be notified by various media outlets including electronic methods when school is cancelled or temporarily delayed. When school is cancelled because of weather anywhere in the district, all schools will be closed. If it is necessary to close an individual building due to an emergency situation, the decision will be clearly communicated by various media outlets including electronic notification.
When weather conditions deteriorate during the day after school has begun, cancellation notices will be announced by various media outlets including electronic notification. Students will be returned to their regular drop-off sites unless weather conditions prevent it. If students are taken to drop-off sites other than their regular drop-off sites or are to be picked up at other than their regular pick-up points, this will be communicated by the driver (on the two-way radio) to the base station in order to be relayed to the parents of the affected students. If no parent contact can be made, students will be kept at school until they are picked up by their parents.
When weather or road conditions dictate unsafe, non-hard surface roads, a hard surface routing will be initiated. This will be communicated by various media outlets including electronic notification.
Adopted: 11/96
Reviewed: 9/11; 10/12; 11/13; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21; 2/24
Revised: 10/10
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 279.8
IASB Reference: 711.08
Mandatory Policy
School vehicles are to be used exclusively for the transportation of riders for school purposes and for the purpose of conducting the day-to-day business of the school district. Personal use of school vehicles is strictly forbidden. On-call employees are allowed to take home a school vehicle with the prior approval of the superintendent [or designee] for the purpose of conducting school-related duties only.
All keys to school vehicles will be kept by the transportation manager. Vehicles can be checked out from the transportation office. When not in use, vehicles will be stored on school property. Records of trips are to be filled out and turned in to the transportation manager, including vehicle pre-trip inspection reports.
A building procurement card should be used for the purchase of gasoline/diesel fuel while conducting school business. Personal use of district-provided procurement cards is strictly forbidden.
School fuel will be used only in school-owned or school-leased vehicles or equipment.
Adopted: 4/85
Reviewed: 9/11; 10/12; 11/13; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21
Revised: 10/10; 2/24
It is the responsibility of the superintendent in conjunction with the transportation manager to develop administrative regulations to reduce vehicle idling time because of the effect of environmental pollutants, and in assisting students and others to be free from pollutants which may impact their respiratory health.
Unnecessary vehicle idling time emits pollutants and wastes fuel.
Adopted: 7/08
Reviewed: 9/11; 10/12; 11/13; 4/15; 11/18; 9/21; 2/24
Revised: 10/10
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): § 279.8
IASB Reference: 711.09