It is the policy of the Board of School Trustees to provide transportation for students when the distance between their home and school makes the service advisable. This policy and any administrative guideline implementing it shall be implemented in compliance with Federal and State law, regulations of the Indiana State Board of Education and the State School Bus Committee.

School buses shall be purchased, housed, and maintained by the Board for the transportation of students between their home areas and the schools of the District to which they are assigned. All use of tobacco including smoking is prohibited on a school bus. A school bus is a motor vehicle that is designed and constructed for the accommodation of at least ten (10) passengers and used for the transportation of school children to and from school, school athletic games or contests, and other school functions. The term "school bus" does not include a privately owned automobile with a capacity of not more than five (5) passengers that is used for the purpose of transporting school children to and from school.

The Board may enter into a contractual agreement with a qualified contractor for the transportation of students.

The Board may enter into an agreement with an agency or organization serving persons with a developmental disability in which a school bus or special purpose bus used by the Corporation may be used to transport persons with a developmental disability who are at least two (2) years of age to and from programs for persons with a developmental disability.

A special purpose bus is any motor vehicle designed and constructed for the accommodation of more than ten (10) passengers that meets the Federal school bus safety standards, except the requirement for stop arms and flashing lights, and that is used by the Board for transportation purposes not appropriate for school buses.

A special purpose bus may not be used to provide regular transportation of school children (except for persons enrolled in a special program, i.e., for the habilitation or rehabilitation of students with developmental disabilities, orthopedic impairments, or multiple disabilities between their residence and the school.

A special purpose bus may be used to transport students and their supervisors, including coaches, managers, and sponsors to athletic, other extra-curricular school activities, and field trips.

A special purpose bus also may be used to transport homeless students.

If the special purpose bus has a capacity of less than sixteen (16) passengers, the operator must hold a valid operator’s, chauffeur’s, commercial drivers, or public passenger chauffeur’s license. If the special purpose bus has a capacity of more than fifteen (15) passengers, the operator must meet the requirements of a regular school bus driver.

A special purpose bus is not required to be constructed, equipped, or painted as specified for a regular school bus.

Transportation of eligible vocational or special education children between their home areas and schools outside the District shall be arranged through the use of District-owned vehicles, through cooperation with other corporations, through commercial carriers, and/or by other means in the most efficient and economical manner.

The Board shall provide transportation to non-public school students with legal settlement in the District when seats are available on a bus on an existing route. This transportation shall be provided without charge when the Board does not incur additional expense, and shall be to and from the students’ non-public school or the point on an established bus route that is nearest or most easily accessible to the non-public school.

Vehicle routes shall be established so that an authorized vehicle stop is available within reasonable walking distance of the home of a student entitled to transportation services.

The Board authorizes the installation and use of video recording devices in the school buses to assist the drivers in providing for the safety and well-being of the students while on a bus.

Revised 3/16/10
Revised 3/8/16
Revised 2/13/18