Policy 2.26

Bus Scheduling, Routing, Stops and Storage

1. Purpose. -- To ensure the School District's compliance with Florida laws and rules governing bus scheduling, routing and stops for student transportation.

2. Delegation of Authority. -- The School Board hereby delegates to the Superintendent the authority to review annually the school bus routes recommended by the Director of Transportation to insure that such routes are planned to provide safety as well as cost effectiveness, and approve District bus routes in conformance with Florida Statutes, State Board of Education Rules and School Board policy. The Superintendent is authorized to approve revisions to bus routes during the school year.

3. Establishment of Bus Schedules and Routes. -- Each bus route approved or revised by the Superintendent and the Director of Transportation shall be planned to ensure safety, economy and efficiency and shall meet the requirements of State Board of Education Rules and the following:

   1. The route shall be planned, scheduled, and adjusted to the capacity of the bus to serve students whose homes are beyond two miles from the school center to which they are assigned, except as otherwise provided by Florida laws, Federal laws and State Board of Education Rules.

   2. The routing of buses shall be planned to eliminate the necessity for students to stand while a bus is in motion. In an emergency situation necessitating the number of transported students to exceed the rated seating capacity of the bus, the bus driver shall proceed at such a reduced rate of speed as to maximize safety of the student riders.

   3. Designated bus routes shall be restricted to those areas where road conditions, bridge capacities, and the number of transported students allow such service to be economically feasible and practicable.

   4. A bus route shall not be extended for the purpose of accommodating students whose homes are within a reasonable walking distance by a shorter or more economical route which is available to serve the students.

   5. Bus routes shall, insofar as practicable, be restricted to main routes and publicly maintained roads which at least:

      1. Provides a twelve (12) foot clearance overhead from ground level;

      2. Is sufficiently wide so that tree limbs, bushes and similar hazards do not exist;

      3. Are free of obstructions and with bridges which are adequate to support the capacity of the bus when loaded; and

      4. Is opened to the public and maintained at public expense.

   6. Only one (1) bus stop shall be assigned students, unless the school necessitates a dual assignment of stops, or to comply with federal or state law.

   7. A suitable turning area shall be available for any route requiring a bus to be turned around.

   8. The Director of Transportation shall accept and consider requests for a change in a bus route and make recommendations to the Superintendent.

4. Designation of Bus Stops.

   1. The Director of Transportation shall annually submit to the Superintendent for approval bus stops which afford the maximum safety and protection for District students being transported. The placement of bus stops shall be based upon, but not limited to, the following factors:

      1. Visibility of the bus stop for approaching motorists;

      2. Traffic speed, volume and other traffic considerations;

      3. Whether students may board and exit the bus, cross highways and await arrival of buses with safety given the highway conditions;

      4. Adequacy of the waiting area for the number of students to safely wait for the bus;

      5. Adequacy considering whether such waiting area is free of debris, tall grass, shrubs, etc.; the number of students; or other hazard that could obstruct the view of a motorist in seeing children at the school bus stop in daylight or dusk;

      6. Distance from the bus stop to the students' homes;

      7. Maintenance of the subject road area;

      8. Other significant or unusual hazards in the proposed area of the bus stop; and

      9. Other factors the Superintendent and Director of Transportation deem pertinent.

   2. For students with needs of accommodation or assistance, the bus stop will be determined consistent with the needs identified in the IEP and/or 504 Plan.

5. Bus Route or Stop Changes.

   1. Changes in Routes or Bus Stops. The Director of Transportation is authorized to accept and consider requests for a change in a bus route or bus stop, and to make such changes based upon good cause. Good cause shall not include changes in bus routes or bus stops to accommodate personal/individual needs or decisions that are made in an arbitrary and capricious manner.

   2. Bus stops shall be restricted to one (1) bus-stop location per student address. No multiple stops shall be permitted.

   3. Prohibition Against Driver Changes. School bus drivers shall not discontinue stops, begin new stops, or otherwise change a route without prior approval of the Director of Transportation.

6. Non-Transportation Zones. -- The School Board shall designate, by map or otherwise, non-transportation zones based on the Superintendent's recommendations. Such zones shall represent areas in the District where transportation services are unnecessary or impracticable. Non-transportation zones shall be designated by the Board annually prior to the opening of schools and prior to the designation of bus routes for the ensuing school year.

7. Bus Accidents. -- An accident report shall be prepared immediately after an accident involving a bus or school passenger. The Director of Transportation shall insure the appropriate forms are completed and filed in accordance with Florida Statutes, State Board of Education Rules, and School Board policy.

8. Bus Storage. -- Drivers shall park buses where designated by the Director of Transportation and under no condition will any driver vary from the parking area designated. When the driver parks his bus at the end of the run, it shall not be opened for the public to use in any way. Under no conditions shall the bus be used for a personal or private purpose.

9. Bus Route and Bus Stop Evaluations. -- School bus routes and safety of pupils at bus stops shall be reviewed at least once each year (or prior to the beginning of each school year) by the Department of Transportation. Periodic evaluations of school bus routes and the safety of students at bus stops shall be conducted by the Department of Transportation as deemed necessary by the Director of Transportation or the Superintendent.