8600 - TRANSPORTATION

School District Of Westfield

Bylaws & Policies

8600 - TRANSPORTATION

It is the policy of the Board of Education to provide transportation for those students, of any age, whose distance from their school makes this service necessary within the limitations established by State law and the regulations of the Department of Public Instruction or other appropriate agency.

School buses and student-transportation vehicles shall be purchased, housed, and maintained by the District or the District shall contract for transportation services of resident students between their home areas and the schools of the District to which they are assigned. In accordance with State law, the District shall not transport students by alternative transportation methods of vehicles carrying more than nine (9) passengers and the operator. This prohibition does not apply to school buses operated in compliance with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s regulations.

All school buses and student-transportation vehicles, whether purchased, leased, or contracted for shall comply with specifications defined in State and Federal law. Each operator of a school vehicle used to transport students of the District shall be licensed for the purpose for which the vehicle is being used and shall operate the vehicles in accordance with Federal and State laws.

Transportation for private school students, eligible for transportation under State law, shall be provided on the same basis as for District students.

Transportation of eligible students with exceptional educational needs or attending a technical education program shall be arranged through the use of District-owned vehicles, through cooperation with other districts, through commercial carriers, and/or by other means in the most efficient and economical manner.

Transportation privileges may be revoked if the student's conduct is in violation of the District Administrator's administrative guidelines or the Code of Conduct pertaining to student transportation. Such revocation shall be in accord with statutorily-required procedures.

The Board authorizes the District Administrator to install and operate video cameras on District buses to enhance student safety and well-being. S/He shall establish appropriate administrative guidelines for the proper use of the cameras.

A.	Early-Childhood and 4K Student Drop-Off/Reception Procedures - In the interest of safety of the District’s youngest riders, the School District of Westfield requires that the parent/guardian of early-childhood and/or preschool students, or another responsible adult designated by the parent/guardian, to be present to receive the student at the school bus/van stop.

	1.	The parent/guardian/designee must physically be at the bus/van stop in order to receive an early-childhood and/or 4K students from the bus or van. A parent/guardian/designee may not be in a building or enclosure and simply show their presence.

	2.	If the parent/guardian/designee is not physically present at the bus stop or refuses to physically receive the student, then the bus/van driver will notify the Transportation Department and return the student to his/her school after the route has been completed.

	The District shall notify parents/guardians of early-childhood and/or 4K students of this requirement prior to the start of the school year.

B.	Regular Transportation to Locations Other than the Student's Normal Place of Residence – The District is not obligated to provide student transportation to and/or from locations other than the residence of the student. However, in recognition of the contemporary need for child care services, the Board authorizes transportation to and/or from a location other than the student's residence (the student's child care provider) subject to the following terms and conditions:

	1.	The childcare provider's services are provided in a location, which if a private residence, would be entitled to receive bus transportation at District expense.

	2.	The alternate location shall not require deviation from existing bus routes.

	3.	The availability of transportation to and/or from alternate locations shall be based upon available seat space on existing routes. No additional costs shall be incurred by the District.

	4.	Requests for transportation to and/or from alternate locations, other than the student's registered address and which would be on a regular basis, shall be on a regular and established schedule that shall be provided in advance, in writing, to the Transportation Director and the principal(s) of the school(s) attended by the student(s).

	5.	For early-childhood and/or 4K students, this schedule may vary by day. For example, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to be discharged at an alternate location; and Tuesdays and Thursdays at the primary residence. The District requires notification of student transportation changes the week prior to the starting week.

		a.	For students in grades 4K through twelve (12), unless otherwise required, the schedule must be consistent throughout the week. For example, a.m. pick-ups at home, and p.m. discharges at an alternative location. Two address changes will be allowed per year.

		b.	In the event of joint custody, every effort will be made to accommodate the student’s placement schedule within the limitations of this rule, notwithstanding the limitations specified in sub-pars. B.5.a. Two address changes will be allowed per year.

C.	The School District of Westfield will not provide transportation for students that reside within their respective village limits, unless there is an exemption approved by the transportation director.

D.	Students that attend an elementary school outside of their "resident school boundaries" must adhere to the following provisions:

	1.	Parents who wish to have their children attend another school in the upcoming school year must submit, in writing to the District Office by use of the "Student Intra-District Transfer Request Form" between February 1 and April 30. Parents will be notified if their request is approved or denied June 15.

	2.	Parents shall be responsible for the transportation of the student OR

	3.	Bus transportation will be provided only if the parent transports the student to a safe, existing pick up point, and there is space available on that individual bus.

120.13(27m), 121.52, 121.53, 121.54 et seq., 121.55(1)(a) Wis. Stats.

Adopted 11/20/13
Revised 10/21/15
Revised 1/27/16