AUXILIARY SERVICES

 

Series 700

 

Policy Title: Extra-Curricular Activities-Bus Service Code No.: 712

 

The use of school buses shall be restricted to transporting students to and from school and to and from extra-curricular activities sponsored by the school and the district non-public schools when such extra-curricular activity is under the direction of a qualified member of the faculty and is a part of the regular educational program.

 

District owned or leased school vehicles will be used to transport to and from extra curricular and co curricular activities.  The district will not use other transportation services to transport to and from extra curricular or co curricular activities unless there are circumstances such as a shortage of bus drivers or available school owned or leased vehicles.  This decision will be made by the school district.

 

All students being transported to and from an extra-curricular activity must board and depart from the bus at the point of origin and/or destination. Exceptions will be made to pick up or drop off students at the bus route transfer point in outlying towns within the district when the route for the activity takes the bus through the town. An exception can also be made by the transportation director/designee to pick up or drop off a student from another school district in a neighboring town if the student is part of a shared co-curricular activity and the route of the bus takes it through their town.

 

A faculty member must accompany the students from time of departure to time of return unless an exception is made by the superintendent/designee. If a school bus is used for transportation, the faculty member(s) must be on the bus with the students. (IAC 281--43.10(4)) Code of Iowa.

 

For the purposes of supervision, there shall be a minimum of one (1) faculty member and/or chaperone on the bus for grades PK-12.

 

Buses going to or returning from extra-curricular activities or field trips will not stop en route unless:

1. Bus needs mechanical service
2. There is an emergency
3. The stop is an activity planned and approved by the principal/designee and the parents/guardians are notified in advance (i.e., eating, restrooms, shopping)

 

Students may be allowed to ride home from an activity trip with their parent/guardian when the parent/guardian personally contacts the coach/supervisor at the site of the activity. The district will supply a form for the parent/guardian to fill out, sign, and give to the coach/supervisor before the student can leave the site with said parent/guardian.

 

 

When there is a need for special transportation (other than the school owned vehicle or the parent), the parent/guardian must make a written request to the transportation director/designee of the district at least 24 hours in advance. The district will act on the special request and inform the parent/guardian, principal, and bus driver of the decision.

 

A student who needs transportation to an activity in their parents’/guardians’ private vehicle, must make a written request to the principal, activity director, or transportation director/designee at least 24 hours in advance. If permission is granted, the parent/guardian may have the student ride home in a school owned vehicle after a personal request is made to the coach/supervisor at the site of the activity.

 

Eight or nine passenger vehicles are available for small groups to use. The maximum rated passenger capacity shall not be exceeded. When an individual school requests transportation service and the total number of riders exceed the rated capacity of an eight or nine passenger vehicle, a bus and driver shall be assigned. This is in lieu of sending two eight or nine passenger vehicles. The reason for using a bus is to enhance the safety of students and employees.

 

Coaches/supervisors needing to use a school vehicle for any out of district transportation needs must fill out the online transportation form.

 

Date of Adoption/Review/Revision:

August 23, 1982

August 14, 1989

September 10, 1990

August 1992

August 1995

August 1998

June 2001

June 2004

July 2005

July 2007

July 2010

July 2013

August 2013

September 2016

December 2021

September 2022