Eligibility. The following students are eligible for District-provided transportation to and from school:
Reimbursements. Parents and guardians may be reimbursed for transportation in amounts set by state law in lieu of District-provided transportation for their children. For students receiving transportation pursuant to their IEP's, there must be mutual agreement for the reimbursement in lieu of District-provided transportation.
Loading and Unloading Points. Resident students may be required to load or unload at points of not to exceed three-fourths of a mile from the students' residences. Buses shall not leave public roads to receive or discharge students except for safety reasons or if the private road is maintained in the same manner as a public road and in accordance with directives established by the Superintendent.
Measurement. Distances to school or to a bus route shall be measured on the public highway only, starting in the roadway opposite the private entrance to the residence of the student and ending in the roadway opposite the entrance to the school grounds or designated point on the bus route.
School Vehicle Routes. It shall be the responsibility of the Manager of Transportation to develop and/or review school vehicle routes annually keeping in mind the safety of the students, the seating capacity of the vehicles, the length of the route, the cost to the District, and other factors as deemed relevant by the Manager of Transportation. Routes may be adjusted as necessary. The Manager of Transportation shall also develop emergency school vehicle routes that may be necessary due to weather or other conditions.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018
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Date of Revision: April 9, 2018
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Legal References:
256B.2, 279.8, 279.11, 282.18, Chapter 285, Chapter 321, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. 17.9, 41.412; Chapter 43, Chapter 44; 41 U.S.C. 8101-8106; 42 U.S.C. §12111 et seq.; 49 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.; 49 C.F.R. pt. 40
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board in its discretion may provide District transportation to students for extracurricular activities. Students participating in extracurricular events, other than those held at the school district facilities, shall be transported to the extracurricular event by school transportation vehicles, with a qualified driver, or by another means approved by the administration.
Students who are provided school-sponsored transportation for extracurricular events shall ride both to and from any event in the school vehicle. Parents may request an exception to this rule only if it is submitted in advance in writing to the activities director. The activities director or building principal will review and approve the request by signing and dating it. The student (athlete/participant) must return the written request to the coach/sponsor in advance of the trip.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018
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Date of Revision:
August 13, 2012
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Legal References:
279.8, Chapter 285, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C.
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The District shall purchase transportation vehicles which meet the requirements of the Board and of the State of Iowa. Transportation vehicles shall be inspected by the State Department of Education. Vehicles shall be routinely maintained according to a maintenance schedule developed by the Manager of Transportation.
It shall be the responsibility of the Manager of Transportation to arrange for the inspection of the school district transportation vehicles and to develop a program for routine maintenance of District vehicles in compliance with state law.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018
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Date of Revision: August 13, 2012
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Legal References:
279.8, Chapter 285, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C.
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885971
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The District shall conduct school vehicle safe riding practices instruction and emergency safety drills twice a year for students who utilize school district transportation. Each school vehicle shall have, in addition to the regular emergency safety drill, a plan for helping those students who require special assistance to safety during an emergency. This shall include, but not be limited to, disabled students. School district vehicle drivers are required to participate in these emergency safety drills.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018
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Date of Revision: June 16, 2003 543424 |
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Legal References:
279.8, Chapter 285, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C.
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
School district vehicles will not operate when weather conditions due to fog, rain, snow or other natural elements make it unsafe to do so. Because weather conditions may vary around the District and may change quickly, decisions will be based on the most recent and accurate information available.
The final judgment as to when conditions are unsafe to operate will be made by the Superintendent. The Superintendent will be assisted by the Manager of Transportation.
Students, parents/guardians and the community will be notified by commercial radio and/or TV when school is cancelled or temporarily delayed. It may be possible that on some occasions the entire District may not be affected by the delays, when weather conditions may vary in different locations. When school is cancelled because of weather any where in the District, all schools will be closed.
When weather conditions deteriorate during the day after school has begun, students will be returned to their designated drop-off points.
When weather conditions create a situation where the driver has less than 300 feet of visibility at a stop, the driver should immediately report the situation by bus radio for instructions. If a decision is made not to receive the students at the stop, a telephone call shall be made to the parents. If the students cannot be picked up, it shall then be the parents' decision on whether to send the students to school and the parents' responsibility to transport the students. If the students cannot be discharged at the stop, the parents shall be informed of where the students shall be discharged; if the parents cannot be reached, the students shall be transported back to the school. Once vehicles are on the road, the drivers are to use their judgment whether to stop at a particular stop, keeping utmost in mind the safety and well-being of their passengers.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018
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Date of Revision: August 13, 2012
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Legal References:
279.8, Chapter 285, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C.
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886148
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
School vehicles shall be driven only by persons holding proper driving certificates, licenses and permits from the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Transportation. Drivers must have sufficient physical capability to operate the vehicle effectively and to render assistance to passengers in case of illness or injury and must comply with all drug and alcohol testing procedures. All drivers must have completed safe driving instruction offered by the Department of Education within six months of date of hire and every twenty-four months thereafter. Drivers are subject to a background check upon hire and again after every five (5) years. Drivers must be insurable under the District's liability coverage.
Drivers shall comply with all state driving laws and with rules and regulations of the Department of Education and of the District. All drivers shall report to the Manager of Transportation or to his/her designee any vehicle which fails to stop for a bus when warning lights are flashing and the stop arm extended. District officials shall report said violations to law enforcement officials.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018
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Date of Revision:
April 9, 2018
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Legal References:
279.8, Chapter 285, Chapter 321, Code of Iowa; 281 I.A.C. Chapter 43; 41 U.S.C. §8103; 42 U.S.C. §12111 et seq.; 49 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.; 49 C.F.R. Part 40, 49 C.F.R. 382 |
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Complaints by a student, parent or guardian regarding transportation shall be brought under the student complaint procedure. Appeals may be taken to the Area Education Agency pursuant to law.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018
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Date of Revision:
June 16, 2003
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Legal References:
285.12, Chapter 290, Code of Iowa
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DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS