The driver is in-charge on the school bus and they have total control of the safety of all persons riding the bus. Superintendent shall have the authority to approve school-related trips. The following guidelines have been established by the Board of Education to make sure state procedures are followed:
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All overnight trips shall have the prior approval of the Superintendent or his designee.
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The Board on a case-by-case basis shall authorize use of certified common carrier service, and the reasons to justify such use shall be cited in Board minutes.
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Parents are to be informed of the nature of the trip, the approximate departure and return times, means of transportation, and any other relevant information.
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Parents must give written approval for students to participate in school-sponsored trips.
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All District-owned vehicles shall be driven by an adult duly qualified and licensed to operate the vehicle.
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Drivers of school vehicles and operation of District-owned passenger vehicles transporting students shall comply with requirements specified in applicable statutes and administrative regulations.
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A member of the faculty or administration staff shall accompany students on all school-sponsored and school-endorsed trips, except that a non-faculty coach or non-faculty assistant may accompany students on athletic trips as provided in statute.
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Board owned vehicles may transport district students, their teachers, coaches, directors or leaders, and those serving as supervisors or chaperones. Board owned vehicles shall not transport spectators, boosters, parents, and others not associated with the activity.
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State law allows buses to transport three students to a seat during normal route transport or trips that are within the district. However, the law states that only two students can ride per seat on field trips that are out of district.
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Only Board insured vehicles or appropriately certified common carriers shall be used for transporting students.
The following items shall not be allowed on school buses that are carrying students: The following items shall be stored in the storage boxes under the bus. If these items cannot be stored under the bus, an additional bus will be requested to carry such equipment.
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Instruments, sports equipment, coolers, and class projects to name a few that may block any aisle, doorway or exit.
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Using straps to secure anything in the bus is strictly against the state policy. If you need to strap it down in the bus, it should be put in the storage compartment.
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A driver shall not knowingly permit firearms or weapons, either operative or ceremonial.
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Drivers are required by state law to cover emergency procedures before beginning the field trip.
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Trip sponsors should keep aware of changing weather conditions. Sponsors shall contact the Transportation Department in the event of inclement weather prior to departing for the trip.
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State law prohibits food and drink on the school bus. It is the responsibility of the trip sponsor to ensure the bus stays clean during the trip. Drivers are not paid additional time for cleaning their bus after a trip so it is imperative that the bus be inspected prior to the students departing the bus.
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Glass items such as bottles, containers or vases shall not be allowed. In addition, aluminum or metal items such as pop cans that could be used as a weapon or missile or could cause any type of disturbance shall not be brought onto the school bus.
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Common sense should dictate the appropriateness of any item. Items such as Pole Vault Poles, Flags for Drill Teams, shall not be transported in the passenger compartment of the school bus.
Transportation is also provided, when feasible, to transport students attending various academic or competitive events. Students riding the bus on field trips / activity trips are expected to follow the same rules that apply to students riding buses to and from school on a daily basis. Misbehavior will not be tolerated and will result in loss of future riding privileges.
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Regular route transportation takes precedence over field trips / activity trips and so the trip pick-up and drop times may be adjusted to accommodate regular routes first.
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Parents of students going on field trips / activity trips must sign a separate permission form, provided by the school, before students will be allowed to ride the bus on a field trip / activity trip.
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The trip sponsor shall give a written list of students traveling on each trip in case of an accident. The sponsor and the driver are required to verify this list after each stop.
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The trip sponsor or sponsors shall assist the driver in controlling the students participating in the off campus event.
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Field trip / Activity trip transportation is provided only for students, teacher, coaches, and approved parent sponsors. Parent and / or pre-school children wishing to participate in the field trip / activity trip must provide their own transportation.
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Field trips that fall within the last two weeks of the school year will be approved on case-by- case basis through the Transportation Department. Schools are discouraged from taking field trips during the CATS testing.
What Band Instruments are allowed on school buses?
702 KAR 5:080 Section 20 states: The driver shall not permit the transportation of any object that would block the aisle or exits in case of a collision. What areas of concern must be addressed in consideration of this matter?
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Can student hold instrument in lap, safely without interfering with other pupils.
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Seat space.
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Instrument size.
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Lack of space on the school bus.
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Safety hazard involved.
What are transportable and non-transportable instruments? What instruments can possibly be transported? This was determined as a result of a state experiment, and the following are permitted:
Violin, viola, piccolo, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet (b-flat), alto clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet saxophone, trombone, bells. (Tenor saxophone may not be able to be taken on the bus if three to a seat.)
These instruments are allowed but must sit on the floor between the feet of the student. They shall not be sitting on the seat or the lap of the student. bassoon, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, trombone, and guitars It is permissible for the below instruments to be on the lap of the student during transport. These instruments may not sit on the seat at any time. Students must carry all baggage so that it does not interfere with other students riding the bus. Violin, viola, piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet (b-flat), alto clarinet, trumpet/cornet bells.
The following instruments are not permitted during regular morning and afternoon student transport:
Tuba, cello, French horn, baritone horn, string bass, and drums.
Students and teachers shall be given this information and it should be reviewed throughout the school year. Reminding students that bringing instruments on the school bus is a privilege that can be denied if policy is not followed. School bus drivers are the authority on the school bus and all students must follow directions given by them during transport. If there are questions concerning Board policies please contact the Transportation Department for clarification.