It is the policy of the School Board to provide transportation for those students whose distance from their school makes this service necessary. The regulations of the State Department of Education shall govern any question not covered by this policy.

School buses shall be purchased, housed, and maintained by the Corporation for the transportation of resident students between their home areas and the schools of the Corporation to which they are assigned. The Superintendent may substitute smaller vehicles for reasons of economy or efficiency of operation.

Children living beyond reasonable walking limits shall be entitled to vehicle transportation. Reasonable walking limits shall be defined by administrative guidelines.

Exceptions to the limits may be made in the case of a temporarily or permanently disabled child who has been so certified by a Case Conference and in the case of adverse safety conditions.

A special purpose bus may also 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, chauffer's, commercial drivers, or public passenger chauffer'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.

Transportation of eligible special education children between their home areas and schools outside the Corporation shall be arranged through the use of Corporation-owned vehicles, through cooperation with other Corporations and/or by other means in the most efficient and economical manner. Where transportation is not viable, students may drive with permission from the building principal.

Vehicle routes shall be established so that an authorized vehicle stop is available within reasonable walking distance of the home of every resident 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.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing and implementing appropriate administrative guidelines for this policy.

I.C. 16-41-37-2.3
I.C. 9-13-2-161
I.C. 20-26-5-4; 20-27-3-5; 20-27-9; 20-27-9-5; 20-27-12-5

Revised 8/9/93
Revised 12/4/06
Revised 8/9/10