Aspen
View Regional Division No.19
POLICY: EEA
CATEGORY:
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
POLICY
STATEMENT:
The Board believes that
parents and the Division share responsibility for the safe transportation of
students.
GUIDELINES
AND PROCEDURES:
A. General
1. Transportation will be provided
for students who reside 2.4 kilometres or more from the site of
the school in their attendance area.
2. Parents are responsible
a. for
providing the necessary guidance, discipline, and protection for their child
to, from and at the bus pickup and drop-off.
b. to ensure that their child is on time
for pick-up.
c. to ensure that their child is
appropriately dressed for weather conditions.
d. to inform the bus driver when their
child will not ride the bus.
e.
to arrange alternative shelter for their child if no
one is home.
3. Students are responsible for conducting
themselves in accordance with Policy EEACC, and for cooperating with the bus
driver.
4. Bus drivers are responsible
a. for students' safety when the student
is on the bus.
5. The principal is responsible
a. for
ensuring that students are appropriately supervised during loading and
unloading at the school, or while waiting for alternative transportation in the
event that a student misses the bus.
b. for
informing the Transportation Coordinator of changes in enrolment that affect
bus routes.
6. The Transportation Coordinator is
responsible
a. for making the final decision about bus
service during inclement weather or when hazardous road conditions prevail.
b. for ensuring that a Bus Driver's
Handbook is created, approved by the Board, and updated on a regular basis.
c. for ensuring that all applicable
Division and Alberta Education and other government regulations are carried
out.
d. for ensuring, in consultation with each
principal, that bus evacuation drills are carried out for all students at least
once a year.
e. for ensuring that an evaluation of each
driver is conducted at least once every three years.
1. All school bus routes, schedules, and
pick-up points shall be established by the Transportation Coordinator and
submitted to the Transportation Committee for approval.
2. In towns, villages,
summer villages, and country residential areas, the Transportation Coordinator
shall establish group pick-up points.
Pick up points shall be arranged so that no student is required to walk
more than 400 meters on a municipal road from the main entrance to his/her
home. Students must reside 2.4 km or
more from the school.
3. The Transportation Coordinator may
alter routes to accommodate changes in student enrolment; any such changes
shall be submitted for ratification to the Transportation Committee.
4. Unless directed by the Transportation
Committee, buses on regular runs shall not go off municipal public roads.
5. When it is necessary or desirable for a
school bus to enter private property, good road conditions and a proper
turn-around area must exist. Furthermore, the landowner must sign a "hold
harmless agreement."
6. When extenuating circumstances (e.g.,
blizzard conditions) exist, school bus drivers are granted the discretionary
power to enter private property, make additional stops, and extend bus routes
to ensure that students are delivered safely.
7. Where it is not practical or possible
to provide transportation on a regular school bus route, the Board may provide
alternative transportation or an allowance in lieu of conveyance.
8. Route planning will attempt to
incorporate a "first on - first off" philosophy.
C. Other riders
1. At the discretion of the Transportation
Committee, students residing within 2.4 kilometres of the school in their
attendance area may be provided with transportation services.
2. The Board does not provide
transportation to employees. However,
the Superintendent may grant permission under special circumstances for
employees to ride the bus.
3. The names of all adult riders shall be
included in monthly bus reports.
Date of Adoption: January 30, 1996
Date of Amendment: September
6, 2005
Review Date: September
2008
Legal Reference: Section
34, School Act
Cross-Reference: Policy
EEACC -
Student Conduct on School Buses