EEA ©
STUDENT  TRANSPORTATION

School  Bus  Transportation

The Board authorizes the administration to provide regular school bus transportation to and from school for the following categories:

A.  K-8 Students:

1.  who reside within the District boundaries and live more than one (1) mile from their school of attendance, or

2.  who are admitted under A.R.S. 15-816.01, reside outside the District boundaries, qualify for free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts (42 U.S.C. 1751-1793), and live more than one mile from the school of attendance.

B.  High School Students:

1.  who reside within the District boundaries and live more than one and one-half (1.5) miles from their school of attendance, or

2.  who are admitted under A.R.S. 15-816.01, reside outside the District boundaries, qualify for free or reduced-price lunch under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts (42 U.S.C. 1751-1793), and live more than one and one-half (1.5) miles from the school of attendance.

C.  Open Enrollment Students:

Students admitted via open enrollment policies who may be eligible for transportation under state or federal law.

D.  Students with Disabilities:

Students with disabilities, as defined by A.R.S. 15-761, whose Individual Education Plans include transportation as a related service provided under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.

E.  Homeless Students:

Homeless students who are entitled to transportation under the McKinney-Vento Act.

F.  Foster Students:

Foster students as required pursuant to A.R.S. 8-530..04(C).

G.  Eligible Nonresident Students:

Transportation for pupils who do not reside within an established school attendance area, limited to no more than thirty (30) miles each way to and from the school of attendance or to and from a pickup point on a regular transportation route or for the total miles traveled each day to an adjacent school for eligible nonresident pupils who meet the economic eligibility requirements established under the National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts (42 U.S.C. 1751 - 1793) for free or reduced-price lunches.

Responsibility

The responsibility for the operation of student transportation shall be vested in the Superintendent.  Reasonable efforts shall be made to eliminate any particular hazards that might adversely affect the safety and welfare of any student.

Special  Use

School buses may be used for the transportation of students participating in school-sponsored activities.

Private  Vehicle  Transportation

The Superintendent may develop regulations to govern the use of private vehicles for transporting students.

Guidelines

During school or school-sponsored functions, students may be transported only in school-approved vehicles operated by District-authorized personnel unless specific approval by the Superintendent has been obtained.  The Board specifically forbids any employee to transport students for school purposes without prior authorization by the Superintendent.

Extenuating Circumstances:

A.  If a student is detained after school because of reasonable detention, appropriate consideration must be given to student transportation needs.

B.  Transportation privileges may be lost due to student discipline or unacceptable behavior.

Adopted:  November 20, 2005

LEGALREF.:
A.R.S.
8-530.04
15-342
15-764
15-816.01
15-901
15-921
15-922
15-923
15-925
15-945
15-946
28-900
28-901
28-3053
A.G.O.
I80-025
42 U.S.C. 11301, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2001,
   as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015

CROSS REF.:
EEB - Business and Personnel Transportation Services and
                Records and Reports
GBEFA - Staff Use of Digital Wireless Communications or
                Electronic Devices While Operating a Motor Vehicle
JFABD - Admission of Homeless Students