Policy 2.29

Maintenance and Repair of Automotive Equipment

1. Purpose. This policy is to provide for proper care and maintenance of automotive equipment of the School District.

2. Policy. All automotive equipment (cars, buses, trucks, etc. ) owned by the School Board is to be assigned to the director of transportation for proper care and maintenance. The director of transportation or designee shall be responsible for a planned program of maintenance to keep all automotive equipment functioning safely and efficiently. Failure of the operator of any piece of equipment to take proper care of said equipment, or failure to notify the director of transportation as to any mechanical defects shall be cause for disciplinary action up to, but not limited to, dismissal.

   1. All mechanical defects of equipment, where repairs are needed, are the responsibility of the director of transportation, and repairs must be made as soon as possible. The Board will not assume any financial responsibility for purchases or contracts for repairs on any automotive equipment or tractor equipment without first having the approval of the director of transportation or the superintendent.

   2. The director of transportation shall establish procedures and schedules for inspection, maintenance and repair of all equipment at regular intervals. Service and repair records shall be maintained on such automotive equipment as required by State Board of Education rules.

      1. The employee who is assigned a vehicle on a full-time basis, as provided in School Board Policy 2.28 (School District Owned Vehicles), shall be responsible for delivering the automotive equipment to the District's garage for inspection and maintenance as prescribed by the director of transportation.

      2. Departments assigned vehicles by the director of transportation shall ensure all vehicles are maintained in accordance with the schedule prescribed by the director of transportation.

3. Private Repairs Prohibited.

   1. Under no conditions will equipment be repaired by private shop or by private individuals unless formal approval is given by the director of transportation or the superintendent.

   2. No vehicle or equipment, other than District-owned, shall be repaired or serviced in the District garages.

4. School Bus Operations. The mechanical condition of each school bus in operation shall be determined in accordance with Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules. Any school bus which does not comply with the requirements of such laws and rules shall be withdrawn immediately from use until such requirements are met.

5. Delegation of Authority. The superintendent is authorized to develop procedures and/or guidelines for the implementation of this policy.