Student Transportation Policies

Policies of the School Committee:  STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Policy EEA - Student Transportation Services:

The primary purpose of the school system's transportation services is to aid students in getting to and from school in an efficient, safe, and economical manner. The school district may contract for transportation services. The School Committee will award contracts on a competitive bid basis for regular day transportation, and using sound business practices for Special Education and Homeless transportation services as allowed by law. Both general school transportation and Bus contractors, 7D contractors, as well as other and school districts who may provide transportation services for Triton students , who will be held responsible for the safe operation of school buses and , will comply with all applicable state laws and regulations, including but not limited to:

  1. Specifications for school bus design and equipment
  2. Inspection of buses
  3. Qualifications and examinations of bus drivers
  4. Driving regulations
  5. Small vehicle requirements, if applicable
  6. Insurance coverage
  7. Adherence to local regulations and directives as specified in bid contracts

The Superintendent, working with the bus contractor and other ap­propriate administrators, will be responsible for establishing bus schedules, routes, stops, and all other matters relative to the transportation program.

Policy EEAEC - Student Conduct on Buses:


The authority for enforcing School Committee requirements of student conduct on buses will rest with the Principal.

To ensure the safety of all students who ride in buses, it may occasionally be necessary to revoke the privilege of transportation from a student who abuses this privilege. Guardians of students whose behavior and misconduct on school buses endangers the health, safety, and welfare of other riders will be notified that their student face the loss of transportation privileges in accordance with regulations approved by the School Committee.

Rules regarding student conduct on school buses will be included in the student handbooks. Students are expected to follow school rules at all times when riding on buses.

Policy EEAA - Walkers and Riders:


Students will be entitled to transportation to and from school at the expense of the public schools when such transportation conforms with applicable provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws.

Reimbursement to the school district for transportation costs is given by the Commonwealth only for (a) students living at least one and one half miles from school, (b) students who live more than one mile from the nearest bus stop, and (c) students with special needs for whom transportation must be provided.

Additionally, the Committee will provide transportation to all eligible students under the law.

Exceptions to these guidelines may be made at the discretion of the Superintendent. This will apply particularly to any student who must travel in a hazardous area to and from school. These students will be transported regardless of the mileage limits listed.

Policy EEAE - School Bus Safety Program:


The safety and welfare of student riders will be the first consider­ation in all matters pertaining to transportation. Safety precau­tions will include the following:

  1. Students will be instructed as to the proper procedure for boarding and exiting from a school bus and in proper and safe conduct while aboard.
  2. Emergency evacuation drills will be conducted at least twice a year to acquaint student riders with procedures in emergency situations.
  3. All vehicles used to transport students will be inspected periodically for conformance with state and federal safety requirements.
  4. Classroom instruction on school bus safety will be provided.

Policy EEAEA - School Bus Driver Examination and Training:


The School Committee will reserve the right to approve or disapprove persons employed by the bus contractor to drive school transporta­tion vehicles.

  1. Courteous and careful drivers will be required.
  2. Each driver will file with school officials a medical certificate.
  3. Only persons who are properly licensed by the state and have completed the driver-training program will be permitted to drive school buses.
  4. The contractor will furnish the School Committee with a list of names of drivers and their safety records for the last three years.
  5. The contractor will notify school officials as soon as possible of any change of bus drivers.

Policy EEAEB - Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers:


The District shall adhere to federal law and Department of Transportation regulations requiring a drug and alcohol-testing program for school bus drivers and commercial vehicle drivers. Such testing will be conducted for five different situations: pre-employment, randomly, following an accident, following an authorization to return to duty, and upon reasonable suspicion that a driver is under the influence of alcohol or using drugs.

The District will comply with Department of Transportation protocols regarding the collection and testing necessary to establish whether alcohol or drugs are present in the driver's system, and regulations will be established for the steps to be taken in the event that test results are positive.

This program shall comply with the requirements of Federal law and regulations. The Superintendent or designees shall adopt and enact procedures consistent with the federal regulations, defining the circumstances and procedures for testing.