The Board, in accordance with state law, may provide free transportation for eligible students attending the district's schools. The superintendent shall ensure that the transportation services of the district meet all of the requirements established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as the policies that pertain directly to the qualifications of transportation operators and operational procedures adopted by the Board of Education.

Resident students living one (1) mile or more from school will be entitled to free transportation to and from school. Free transportation will not be provided other children, except in special cases where hazardous walking conditions are found to exist by the Board of Education.

A child of an employee of the district is considered a resident student and is an eligible rider if the residence is more than one (1) mile from the school of attendance. If the child resides outside the school district boundaries, he/she may be transported when picked up at an existing bus stop and if the parent/guardian pays the current rate per day as specified by the contracted transportation service for the district.

Transportation for a student with a disability will be provided if the IEP team determines that such transportation is necessary as a related service due to the student's disability. Transportation for special education students or students classified as homeless will be provided in accordance with law.

The superintendent shall ensure that the transportation services of the district meet all state and federal laws as well as other requirements of the Board of Education. Students may be transported in leased vehicles, private vehicles, common carriers or other contracted transportation as allowed by law and permitted by the Board. All district employees or other persons who drive district-owned or district-leased transportation or who transport students in private vehicles as an agent for the district must meet applicable state and federal laws as well as district policies and procedures.

The superintendent will present to the Board a plan for student transportation services for the district no later than the end of October of each year for initial approval and no later than the end of June for the final approval of modifications made during the school year. The plan should follow the procedures set by the State Board of Education.

Transportation Records and Reports
The superintendent or designee shall provide for the proper accounting of student transportation records and reports in the school district and shall be responsible for preparing and submitting to the State Board of Education the necessary reports for apportioning state transportation aid, in addition to reports for statistical purposes and for the proper maintenance and administration of the district's transportation services.

District Transportation Safety
School officials must provide safe transportation of district students to and from school. Drivers, students and district personnel will follow all laws and district policies and procedures.

The Board may enter into contract with operators of school buses for periods of time not to exceed five (5) years. All such contracts will protect the interests of the Board in matters of availability and conditions of equipment, flexibility of schedules, character and health of bus drivers, insurance provisions and costs.

District vehicles carrying students will be considered extensions of the school environment. Any student whose conduct on district transportation is improper or jeopardizes the safety of other students may be suspended from district transportation services and may be disciplined in accordance with district policy. Uniform rules of conduct and disciplinary measures will be enforced.

The director of transportation and others will make recommendations for changes in the
transportation system to the superintendent who will present recommendations to the Board.  Students with disabilities will be disciplined according to law.

Access to all district transportation is limited to authorized riders and staff. All district staff and drivers shall report any instance of trespass to appropriate administrators and law enforcement agencies.

Special Use of District Transportation
District vehicles will be used solely for district-sponsored activities, including district
extracurricular activities and organizations.

NOTE: For further information, see the School Transportation Administrator's Handbook.
* * * * * * *
FILE: EEA
Critical

Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section
for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms
for related information.

Adopted: 10/14/1993
Revised: 11/11/1999; 01/10/2002; 12/09/2004
Cross Refs: IGBCA, Programs for Homeless Students JFCC, Student Conduct on School Transportation
Legal Refs: §§ 162.670 - .995, 163.161, 167.231 - .251, 178.510, 301.010, 302.272, 304.050, .060, 569.155, RSMo.
5 C.S.R. 30-261.010
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 - 1487
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, 42
U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.
McVey v. Hawkins, 258 S.W. 2d 927 (Mo. banc 1953)
Luetkemeyer v. Kaufman, 364 F. Supp. 376 (W.D. Mo. 1973)
St. Charles School District, St. Charles, Missouri