Policy 3.21

Safe Operation of District School Buses

1. Purpose. -- The safety and welfare of District students is of paramount importance to the School Board and transportation personnel of the School District are charged with the responsibility of student transportation safety. Thus, it is essential that school buses be operated by properly licensed drivers who meet all other requirements of state and federal laws, state rules and the School Board for the transport of students.

2. Policy. -- No person will be hired to operate or will operate a District school bus unless the person possesses the required driver's license, holds a current valid medical examiner's certificate, and possesses the minimum qualifications as mandated by relevant Florida laws, Federal laws, State Board of Education rules and applicable School Board policies.

   1. An applicant for the position of school bus driver will not be hired if the driver applicant's history record contains either a plea of guilty, nolo contendere or an adjudication withheld of guilt within the preceding seven (7) years for one or more of the following crimes:

      1. Driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, chemical substances or controlled substances, or with an unlawful blood alcohol levels;

      2. Leaving the scene of an accident where there was an injury and/or property damage;

      3. Reckless driving resulting in an accident; or

      4. Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

   2. An applicant or employee found through fingerprint processing to have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude shall not be employed as a school bus driver.

   3. Any school bus operator who knew or should have known that his or her driver's license has expired or has been suspended or revoked shall be subject to discipline up to and including termination.

   4. A driving record shall be obtained of each school bus operator prior to employment, prior to the first day of the each fall semester, and through the continuous screen of operator records using the Automated School Bus Driver's License Record Check System though the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles and Highway Safety database.

   5. The District shall comply with federal law, rules and regulations related to the drug and alcohol testing of transportation personnel in safety sensitive positions. All school bus operators shall take and pass the required physical or medical examination as required by the State Board of Education.

3. Standards of Conduct. -- Any school bus operator may be subject to discipline up to and including termination for the failure to abide by this policy, applicable state and federal laws, state rules and the standards of conduct as provided below.

   1. Employees are required to safely drive all district school buses, as defined by §§ 1006.22, 316.003(45), Fla. Stat., or 49 C. F.R. Part 571.3, which are owned, leased, or rented by, or on loan to, the Board.

   2. All employees who drive a district school bus shall maintain a valid commercial driver's license, with passenger and student endorsements, and comply with the requirements of state board of education rules 6A-3.0141 and 6A-3.0151, F. A.C., as now or hereafter amended.

   3. All employees who drive a school bus must maintain a driving record, with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which is free of any conviction for a moving violation which may result, or has resulted, in the suspension of driving privileges.

   4. Any operator who receives notification of a driver's license suspension, revocation, or cancellation shall notify the Director of Transportation immediately during or after normal working hours. The director shall take appropriate action to ensure the employee does not drive a school bus or any other School Board owned/leased vehicles.

   5. If the employee receives more than two (2) convictions for a moving violation, as defined in any section of Chapter 316, F. S., in any eighteen (18) month period, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

   6. All procedures incorporated in the Florida Department of Education Basic School Bus Operator's Curriculum and the Transportation Department's School Bus Drivers and Bus Attendants Handbook, attached and incorporated hereto as www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/cms/ shall be observed by all operators.

   7. Employees who operate a district bus during the performance of their regular duties and who plead nolo contendere or guilty, or who are found guilty, of committing any of the crimes listed in Section 2A of this policy, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

   8. All school bus drivers shall be subject to the federal substance-abuse testing and alcohol detection program requirements of 49 C. F.R. Parts 40, 382 and 391, as now or hereafter amended and the physical standards and examinations set forth in state board of education rule 6A-3.0151, F.A.C., as now or hereafter amended. School bus operators are prohibited from refusing to take the required test when requested or required as outlined by federal law, rules and regulations.

   9. School bus drivers shall always drive the bus at a safe speed and never in excess of the legally posted speed limit in business or residential districts, and never in excess of fifty-five (55) miles per hour outside of business or residential districts.

   10. School bus drivers shall not carry any firearm while on school board property, including while on the bus.

   11. While driving any school bus or while otherwise on duty, a driver shall not use or be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance, including prescription or non-prescription medication, which may impair the driver's alertness or performance.

   12. All employees who operate a district school bus shall have the responsibility to study and observe all laws and state board of education rules relating to the safe operation of school buses, including rule 6-3.017(2)(e)3. a-z, F. A.C.