It is the policy of the School Board to provide transportation for those students whose distance from their school makes this service necessary. The regulations of the State Department of Education shall govern any question not covered by this policy.

School buses may be purchased, housed, and maintained by the Corporation for the transportation of resident students between their home areas and the schools of the Corporation to which they are assigned. A school bus is a motor vehicle that is designed and constructed for the accommodation of at least ten (10) passengers and used for the transportation of school children to and from school, school athletic games or contests, and other school functions. The term "school bus" does not include a privately owned automobile with a capacity of not more than five (5) passengers that is used for the purpose of transporting school children to and from school.

The Board may enter into a contractual agreement with a qualified contractor for the transportation of students.

A special purpose bus is any motor vehicle designed and constructed for the accommodation of more than ten (10) passengers that meets the Federal school bus safety standards except the requirement for stop arms and flashing lights, that is used by the School Corporation for transportation purposes not appropriate for school buses.

A special purpose bus may not be used to provide regular transportation of school children (except for persons enrolled in a special program for the habilitation or rehabilitation of developmentally disabled or physically disabled persons) between their residence and the school.

A special purpose bus may be used to transport students and their supervisors, including coaches, managers, and sponsors to athletic, other extracurricular school activities, and field trips.

A special purpose bus may also be used to transport homeless students.

If the special purpose bus has a capacity of less than sixteen (16) passengers, the operator must hold a valid operator’s, chauffeur’s or public passenger chauffeur’s license. If the special purpose bus has a capacity of more than fifteen (15) passengers, the operator must meet the requirements of a regular school bus driver.

A special purpose bus is not required to be constructed, equipped, or painted as specified for a regular school bus.

Transportation of eligible vocational or special education children between their home areas and schools outside the Corporation shall be arranged through the use of Corporation-owned vehicles, through cooperation with other Corporations, through commercial carriers, and/or by other means in the most efficient and economical manner.

Transportation between home area and school will be provided for each resident child attending a State approved nonpublic school within the Corporation on the same basis as public school children.

Vehicle routes shall be established so that an authorized vehicle stop is available within reasonable walking distance of the home of every resident student entitled to transportation services.

The Board authorizes the installation and use of video recording devices in the school buses to assist the drivers in providing for the safety and well-being of the students while on a bus.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing and implementing appropriate administrative guidelines for this policy.

I.C. 16-41-37-2.3
I.C. 9-13-2-161
I.C. 20-26-5-4; 20-27-3-5; 20-27-9-5; 20-27-12-5

Revised 1/12/04
Revised 10/11/04
Revised 11/30/06