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EEA - Student Transportation Services

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Code: EEA
Adopted: 11/14/12
Revised/Readopted: 4/18/17
Orig. Code(s): EEA 

School transportation services will be provided for students to and from school and for transporting from one school or facility to another or school-sponsored field trips that are extensions of classroom learning experiences. Transportation will be provided for homeless students to and from the student’s school of origin1 as required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA). These services shall be provided throughout the regularly scheduled year and during the regular school day as determined by the Board. 

Students living within specified attendance boundaries shall receive transportation services to their respective schools. In addition, students, including those receiving special education, may be eligible for transportation for health or safety reasons. 

Miles from school will be determined by the Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 581-023-0040(1)(c). 

The NWRESD may use Type-10 School Activity Vehicles to transport students from home to school, school to home and from NWRESD-sponsored activities. 

The NWRESD may provide transportation using federal funds2 or through cooperative agreements with local victims assistance units for a student to attend a safe district school3 out of the student’s attendance area for any student who is a victim of a violent criminal offense occurring in or on the grounds of the school the student attends or the student attends a school identified as persistently dangerous. 

If there are no other schools within the district that a student may transfer to, the NWRESD may establish a cooperative agreement with other districts in the area for a transfer. Transportation for students who transfer for such purposes will be provided in accordance with the agreement. 

Students attending any private, parochial, or public charter school under the compulsory school attendance laws will, where the private, parochial, or public charter school is along or near the bus route, be provided equally the riding privileges given to public school students. 

Preschool students with disabilities, who have transportation as a related service, and children from birth to age three, who are enrolled in an eligible program, shall be provided home to school transportation. 

A seat that fully supports each person and meets the minimum standards and specifications of law will be provided at all times. A person who weighs 40 pounds or less must be properly secured with a child safety system that meets the minimum standards and specifications established by the Department of Transportation under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 815.055. A person over 40 pounds or who has reached the upper weight limit for the forward-facing car seat must use a booster seat until four feet nine inches or age eight and the adult belt properly fits4. A person who is taller than four feet nine inches or eight years of age or older must be properly secured with a safety belt or harness that meets the requirements under ORS 815.055. In accordance with ORS 811.210 and 811.215, vehicles in excess of 10,000 pounds used for student transportation are exempt from statutory requirements unless they have been equipped with lap belts. Vehicles in excess of 10,000 pounds that have been equipped with lap belts must meet child car seat requirements as set forth in law. 

School buses carrying students will be considered extensions of the school experience. All students using school transportation will abide by the code of conduct posted in each school bus. Violations of such code, as well as other conduct which is improper or which jeopardizes the safety of self or others, will be reported by the driver to their supervisor. The supervisor will, as soon as possible, inform the appropriate principal of such occurrence. Violators may be denied use of transportation for a period of time as deemed proper by the principal and/or supervisor. 

The principal or designee shall ensure transportation officials and drivers receive notification of students having special medical or behavioral protocols identified in student records. 

Appropriate training related to specific protocols, including confidentiality requirements, will be provided to drivers. 

The driver will be responsible for the school bus or vehicle at all times from departure until return. The driver will not participate in any activities that might impair his/her driving abilities. 

The district will comply with all state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to school bus transportation. 

END OF POLICY 

1“School of origin” means the school that the student attended when permanently housed or the school in which the student was last enrolled. 

2Federal funds means funds available through Title IV, Part A, and Title V, Part A. 

3If there is not another school in the district to which students can transfer, districts are encouraged, but not required, to explore other appropriate options, i.e., an agreement with a neighboring district.

4“Proper fit” means the lap belt of the safety belt or safety harness is positioned low across the thighs and the shoulder belt is positioned over the collarbone and away from the neck. 

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