TRANSPORTATION

Purpose of the Standard

To provide details of the board's transportation policies to the ministry and to the public

Requirement of the Standard

The board's special education plan must describe the types of students with special needs who are eligible to receive transportation and the ways in which these students can access the transportation. The types of students are as follows:

The special education plan must also describe the following:

The process for deciding whether a student with special needs will be transported with other children or whether it is in the best interests of the student to be transported separately

The safety criteria that are used by the board in the tendering and the selection of transportation providers for exceptional students (e.g. drivers must have first-aid training; wheelchairs must be secured during transit; a criminal record check must be done on drivers)

TRANSPORTATION

Policies and regulations governing transportation are found in Attachment 9. The Board provides specialized transportation arrangements wherever required for every child with special needs. This includes children attending neighborhood schools, care and treatment centers and Provincial Schools. Children with special needs are provided transportation for compassionate or safety reasons. Every effort is made to ensure all children have access to Board programs and services wherever they are provided although issues of accessibility continue to challenge the Board due to extensive geographical barriers and areas of low population.

Transportation requests are submitted to the Central Office for approval (Transportation Request). Wherever possible, children are transported with their peers. This encourages typical socialization and helps the Board effectively manage significant transportation costs. Due to safety reasons, program schedules, or route factors, students are sometimes transported on an individual basis.

The Board's Transportation Department works very closely with a number of service providers to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of children. Additional information regarding procedures, forms and frequently asked questions can be found on the following pages.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

Rationale For Transportation

The transportation for students with special needs is based on the premise that all exceptional children must have access to an appropriate education that meets their individual needs. These students generally fall into three categories.

a.	A student is identified as exceptional by an IPRC and a placement decision is made about where the child's needs will be best met. On some occasions that program is not available in the home school so the identified student needs to be transported to the school where the appropriate program is located. If there is a choice of suitable programs, the student will be placed in the one closer to their home.
b.	A student in their home school with physical, intellectual, social/emotional or medical needs who cannot walk or take advantage of regular school busing may require specialized transportation. This decision is made by the Superintendent of Special Education in conjunction with the Principal, Learning Services staff, and on some occasions, staff from outside agencies. Following the discussion, the Principal will be directed to submit a Request for Transportation form to the Special Education Consultant at Central Office. This permission is for transportation to and from school.
c.	On occasion, the board has transported children to and from shelters. In the past, we have tried to accommodate these requests and will continue to do so for short periods of time.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

Procedures

a.	The Request for Transportation form should be completed by the school Principal or designate, and submitted to Central Office. Forms that are not completed in detail will be returned to the school for proper completion. Schools will be promptly informed regarding approval of transportation requests.
b.	If parents are requesting specialized transportation, based on medical needs, then they may be asked to provide medical input from their doctor. These requests will require approval from the Superintendent of Education.
c.	Once approval has been granted by the appropriate person, transportation arrangements are made. These arrangements may take up to five days to finalize. Parents must assume responsibility for transportation in the interim. Parents will be notified about the details by the transportation department or the carrier.

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS  

The provision of transportation for students of a school system is indeed a monumental task. Providing transportation service for special education students is complex and it often requires that a small number of students be transported to central locations using specialized vehicles. The following information is provided to parents to assist in having the transportation of their child be as efficient as possible.

Q. Who do I contact if I have questions regarding the transportation of my child?

A. The school principal is the first line of contact for all matters regarding the education of your child. The school will contact the appropriate department or person if actions have to be taken. It is important that the school be made aware of any special transportation needs of your child. This would include such information as the need for special equipment or health concerns of which the driver must be made aware.

Q. Whom do I contact if there is a change of address or other such information?

A. The local school should receive all such information with as much advance notice as possible. The school will be responsible for directing the information to Central Office.

Q. Can I have my child dropped off at a different location some of the time?

A. It is essential that the transportation be consistent to ensure safe and efficient service. In some cases, requests to pick up every day at one address and drop off at another can be accommodated. This accommodation is possible only if the alternate address is on the existing route or very close to the home address.

Q. How long does it take to make a change in service?

A. Requests for change in service must be made to the school. Subsequent to approval of the request, it may take up to five (5) days to complete the transportation arrangements. The carrier will advise parents of scheduling details.

Q. What do I do if an emergency occurs and I have to cancel a pickup?

A. Contact the carrier directly.

Q. Who is responsible for the safety of the children while being transported?

A. Parents and teachers are asked to assist by bringing the children to or from the vehicle. The driver is trained in using the lifts and securing wheelchairs. While in transit, the driver is responsible for the safety of students.

Q. If my child is ill and will not need the bus on a given day, who do I contact?

A. Contact the carrier directly.

Q. If I move during the summer, whom should I contact with information regarding the change?

A. Please contact the Special Education Department at 1-866-336-6139 ext. 388.

Q. If transportation is cancelled how will I be informed?

A. In the case of taxi service, the driver or dispatcher contacts each family by phone. For all other vehicles, parents should listen to the local radio station or access the school bus information website at www.schoolbusinfo.com.

BUS SAFETY RULES

Code of Conduct for Students

1. Arrive at pick up point on time.
2. Keep arms and head inside vehicle.
3. Never interfere with emergency doors/exits or other parts of vehicle equipment.
4. Fighting, smoking, eating or obscene language will not be tolerated.
5. Obey driver at all times.
6. Refrain from talking to driver while bus is in motion unless it is an emergency.
7. Riding the school bus is a privilege that can be withdrawn if rules are not obeyed.