INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: RESPONSES TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1. Who determines the two (2) mile limit? Florida Statutes: 1006.21, Chapter 6A-3.001 (3), School Board Policy 503: A reasonable walking distance for any student who is not otherwise eligible for transportation pursuant to section 1006.21, Florida Statutes, is any distance not more than two (2) miles between the home and school or one and one-half (1 ½) miles between the home and the assigned bus stop. Such distance shall be measured from the closest pedestrian entry point of the property where the student resides to the closest pedestrian entry point of the assigned school building or to the assigned bus stop. Subject to the rules of the State Board of Education, each district shall determine the membership of students who are transported: a. By reason of living 2 miles or more from school. b. By reason of being students with disabilities or enrolled in a teenage parent program, regardless of distance from school. c. By reason of being in a state pre-kindergarten program, regardless of the distance from the school d. By reason of being career, dual enrollment, or students with disabilities transported from one school center to another to participate in an instructional program or service. e. With respect to elementary school students whose grade level does not exceed grade 6, by reason of being subject to hazardous walking conditions en route to and from school as provided in s. 1006.23. Such rules shall, when appropriate, provide for the determination of membership under this paragraph for less than 1 year to accommodate the needs of students who require transportation only until such hazardous conditions are corrected. 2. How do School Bus Operators handle behavior problems on the school buses and are they trained in behavioral management? 232.28 (1) (4) (5) F.S. and School Board Policy 503: The school bus operator and/or attendant shall preserve order and good behavior on the part of all students being transported on school buses. If an emergency should develop due to the conduct of students on the bus, the bus operator and/or attendant may take such steps as necessary to protect the students on the bus. Bus operators shall not be required to operate a bus under conditions in which one or more students pose a clear and present danger to the safety of the operator or other students, or the safety of the bus while in operation. All Student Transportation Services personnel shall act in accordance with the procedure manual established by the Director of Student Transportation. Student Transportation Services personnel are trained in accordance with State Board of Education Rules in the safe operation of a school bus, maintenance of equipment, and the basic principles of behavior management. 1

Students: The Code of Student Conduct applies to all students being transported. Each transported student shall remain seated after boarding until the appropriate time for departing from the bus. Students must conduct themselves in an orderly manner with orderly conversation allowed. Safety regulations shall be followed. Students will be held accountable for their unsafe behavior while riding the school bus. 3. Why are bus stops scheduled near street intersections and not driveways of homes? F.S. 234.02, (12) : Maximum regard for safety and adequate protection of health are primary requirements that must be observed by school boards in routing buses. Each district school board shall establish school bus stops, or provide by school board rule for the establishment of school bus stops, as necessary at the most reasonably safe locations available. Where unusual traffic hazards exist at school bus stops on roads maintained by the state outside of municipalities, the Department of Transportation in concurrence and cooperation with and upon request of the district school board, shall place signs at such bus stops warning motorists of the location of the stops. All stops should be located in the safest possible area. Stops should be established in order to permit the bus driver to meet their responsibility for activating pupil warning lights. Bus stop locations should be visible to vehicular traffic at least 200 feet in both directions. Bus stops should not be on a steep grade, blind curve or near a railroad crossing. Bus stops should not be obstructed by buildings or large signs. Bus stops should have five (5) foot of space for students to safely wait off the roadway. 4. Can the video system record passengers from all seats on the school bus? Student Transportation Services currently has two types of video systems. A VHS System cannot record any video action in the first two seats and in some cases the third seat. Student Transportation Services also utilizes a digital camera system that has two to three cameras placed on the bus that does record student s behavior in most seats. School Board Policy Number 503 requires video cameras to be used on school buses as an aid to monitor onboard activities. The actual recording shall include audio and video. These recordings are confidential and may become part of the student s record. 5. What is the reasonable waiting time at a bus stop for a student? Student Transportation Services Procedure Number 3.22, School Board Policy 503 and the Student Code of Conduct # 208: Students are to be at the bus stop at least ten (10) minutes before the bus arrives and ready to board the bus at the time shown on the bus schedule. The bus operator is responsible for keeping to this schedule, within five (5) minutes. 2

6. When a school bus is making a student stop, are motorists required to stop on a four-lane highway with a divided median? Section 316.172 F.S. School Bus Stop Law: The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier is not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus which is stopped. All other traffic must stop for a school bus. 7. Who sets the applicants wanting to be bus operators and the driver license record criteria? During an applicant s initial employment, how does Volusia County Schools maintain a driving history record review and drug testing? Department of Education Administrative Rule 6A-3.0141: Employment of School Bus Drivers. Each district school board shall obtain a driver s history record from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for each regular school bus driver, substitute driver, or any other individual certified to drive a school bus by the district. The schedule for reviewing these records shall be: a. Prior to initial employment; b. Prior to the first day of the fall semester. c. Thereafter, the district shall continuously screen driver records using the automated weekly updates, ensuring proper retrieval documentation for every week, or d. In the event a continuous weekly update is not performed as described in paragraph (6) of this rule, school districts will perform required driving record checks prior to the first day of each semester of the regular school year, and prior to the first day of summer school for any driver who will be transporting students during summer school. Driver history records shall be requested in a manner prescribed by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles using the Automated School Bus Driver s License Record Check System through the Department s data base. All school districts shall obtain and review records for school bus drivers using the automated data base system. For any driver licensed in another state, the district shall obtain and review the driver s history record from the appropriate state. Our school district established School Board Policy 505 that specifies which infractions of the traffic code deems an applicant unqualified for hire and which causes any employee to be subject to a prescribed followup action. At a minimum, this policy shall state that any district employee who knowingly operates a school bus with a suspended or revoked license shall be subject to dismissal by the school board. At least annually, the school district shall assure that the driver of a school bus meets the following requirements: a. The requirements of paragraph (4) (a) of this rule. b. Successfully complete a minimum of eight (8) hours of in-service training related to the driver s responsibilities for transporting students. c. Successfully pass a dexterity test administered by the school district and maintain a valid Medical Examiners Certificate. At the time of reemployment, the school board shall assure that each school bus driver meets all of the requirements of subsections (2) and (3) and paragraph (4) (a) of this rule. If not more that a twelve (12) continuous calendar month break in service has occurred, a driver shall be required to complete eight (8) hours of in-service training related to their responsibilities for transporting students prior to driving a school 3

bus with students. If a period exceeding twelve (12) calendar months has occurred, the driver shall be required to successfully complete all of the requirements of subsections (2) through (5) of this rule. All school bus drivers, including those drivers employed by school districts with fifty (50) or fewer covered employees under the authority provided in this rule, shall be subject to the Federal requirements of 49 CFR, Paragraphs 382 and 391 related to substance abuse testing and alcohol detection program. 8. Will Volusia County Schools ever have shelters at bus stops for students? No, due to city/county ordinances. 9. Who handles student safety at school bus stops and who is responsible for seeing that my child is safe to and from the bus stop? Department of Education Administrative Rule 6A.3 states: Parents are responsible for the children s safety and well-being on the way to and from the bus stop and while at the school bus stops. Problems at school bus stops may also be referred to the local law enforcement agency. 10. What information should I have ready when I call transportation with a concern? You should have ready: your child s route number, the name of your child s school, your child s name and the bus stop location. 11. How can I get a bus stop change? You may request a bus stop change by calling your child s school and asking to speak to the transportation contact. 12. What are the hours of operation of Transportation? The dispatch office is staffed from 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. and from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Transportation office hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. 13. Will my child have the same driver every day? Every effort is made to have the same driver for your child every day. However, there are several circumstances that can affect this situation. When a driver is absent, other drivers must cover the absent driver s runs. Drivers with the shortest routes and drivers who can provide the most efficient service to all students are used to cover the runs. Sometimes, due to driver shortages, a given route will be assigned to one driver in the morning and another driver in the afternoon. This is done to get the most service to children out of all our buses and bus routes. 4

14. Can the driver stop at my house to pick-up or drop-off my child? The curbside service needs must be documented on either an IEP or a 504 Plan. This service is restricted for students with special needs or medical issues that require this level of service. For other students, service is provided in accordance with state and district guidelines that assure a maximum travel to the stop of 1.5 miles. Please note these guidelines only apply to eligible students. Within these guidelines, every effort is made to improve route efficiency by clustering students at stops. 15. To whom should I report my address or telephone number change? The data processing clerk at the school should be contacted as soon as possible with address or telephone number change information. Once the clerk has properly recorded this change into the district s database, the transportation department will access the data. 16. Why is the bus late and why wasn t I called? Some of the situations that could cause lateness include traffic, road closures, weather, vehicle breakdowns or a late prior route. Railroad crossings are another reason school buses may run late. In Volusia County, school buses cross 643 railroad crossings a day. The bus must come to a complete stop. If there is a train coming, the bus is further delayed. Since we operate close to 235 buses, it is virtually impossible to contact parents when a bus is running late. However, we are in radio contact with all of our buses and we notify the schools so that they can answer parents questions. You can also contact the transportation department to obtain information about a bus. 17. I cannot find my child. The school is closed, what do I do? A call to transportation is usually your best option in these circumstances before 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. Volusia County Communication & Monitoring Center at 943-7626, extension 20051 for assistance. In turn, CMC will contact transportation for assistance. You should have ready: your child s route number, the name of your child s school, your child s name and the bus stop location. 18. My child s bus is overcrowded. Can some children be placed on another bus? School bus sizes are identified in terms of passenger capacity. A regular school bus has 77-84 passenger capacity with student specified to sit three to a seat. When drivers are available to drive an additional route, middle and high school students are allowed to ride two per seat. A full bus, especially with middle and high school students, may seem crowded, but it will not be over capacity. If bus occupancy becomes over-capacity, the routes will be adjusted to relieve the overcrowding. The transportation department resolves over-crowded bus issues usually within a couple of days. 5

19. I tried to get on the school bus to speak with the driver and was told I could not board the bus. Why? No one except authorized passengers and the driver and attendant (for special needs buses) are permitted on a school bus. School bus drivers are not permitted to stop at school bus stops and speak with parents. This ties up traffic and also makes all the students on the bus late for school or home. To schedule a conference with your child s school bus operator, contact the Area Manager for your area and the Area Manager will schedule a conference at your child s school. 20. Why can t my student ride from another stop that the same bus services? For the safety and accountability of students, students are to utilize the same bus stop a.m. and p.m. unless otherwise given approval. The stop will have to be on the same route the student is scheduled to ride. 21. I need for my child to get on a different bus so that he/she can ride home with a friend. Is this allowed? Administration at schools must be notified by either personal communication or through written explanation of the emergency from a parent/guardian. Emergencies constitute death in a family, medical, and situations that arise beyond parent/guardian control. Students may only ride on their assigned bus, unless approved in writing by the principal or designee (Florida Administrative Rule 6A-3.0121). 22. Florida Statute 1006.23: Hazardous walking conditions.-- (1) DEFINITION.--As used in this section, student means any public elementary school student whose grade level does not exceed grade 6. (2) TRANSPORTATION: CORRECTIONS OF HAZARDS.-- (a) It is intended that district school boards and other governmental entities work cooperatively to identify conditions that are hazardous along student walking routes to school and that district school boards provide transportation to students who would be subjected to such conditions. It is further intended that state or local governmental entities having jurisdiction correct such hazardous conditions within a reasonable period of time. (b) Upon a determination pursuant to this section that a condition is hazardous to students, the district school board shall request a determination from the state or local governmental entity having jurisdiction regarding whether the hazard will be corrected and, if so, regarding a projected completion date. State funds shall be allocated for the transportation of student subjected to such hazards, provided that such funding shall cease upon correction of the hazard or upon the projected completion date, whichever occurs first. (3) IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.--When a request for review is made to the district school superintendent or the district school superintendent s designee concerning a condition perceived to be hazardous to students in that district who live within the 2-mile limit and who walk to school, such condition shall be inspected by a representative of the school district and a representative of the state or local governmental entity that has jurisdiction over the perceived hazardous location. The district school superintendent or this or her designee and the state or local governmental entity or its representative shall 6

then make a final determination that is mutually agreed upon regarding whether the hazardous condition meets the state criteria pursuant to this section. The district school superintendent or his or her designee shall report this final determination to the department. (4) STATE CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING HAZARDOUS WALKING CONDITIONS-- (a) Walkways parallel to the road. 1. It shall be considered a hazardous walking condition with respect to any road along which students must walk in order to walk to and from school if there is not an area at least 4 feet wide adjacent to the road, having a surface upon which students may walk without being required to walk on the road surface. In addition, whenever the road along which students must walk is uncurbed and has a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour, the area as described above for students to walk upon shall be set off the road by no less than 3 feet from the edge of the road. 2. The provisions of subparagraph 1 do not apply when the road along which students must walk: a. Is in a residential area which has little or no transient traffic; b. Is a road on which the volume of traffic is less than 180 vehicles per hour, per direction, during the time students walk to and from school; or c. Is located in a residential area and has a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. (b) Walkways perpendicular to the road. It shall be considered a hazardous walking condition with respect to any road which students must walk in order to walk to and from school: 1. If the traffic volume on the road exceeds the rate of 360 vehicles per hour, per direction (including all lanes), during the time students to and from school and if the crossing site is uncontrolled. For purposes of this subsection, an uncontrolled crossing site is an intersection or other designated crossing site where no crossing site where no crossing guard, traffic enforcement officer, or stop sign or other traffic control signal is present during the times students walk to and from school. 2. If the total traffic volume on the road exceeds 4,000 vehicles per hour through an intersection or other crossing site controlled by a stop sign or other traffic control signal, unless crossing guards or other traffic enforcement officers are also present during the times students walk to and from school. Traffic volume shall be determined by the most current traffic engineering study conducted by a state or local governmental agency. 7