The board authorizes the use of private vehicles under the following circumstances: 

1. Under unusual circumstances, the district may request parents, or a responsible adult, to drive children to school in their own vehicles on a per-mile cost reimbursable basis. The transportation department determines when “in-lieu” transportation would be advantageous to the district and arranges its implementation. In cases where car pools are formed by families, reimbursement shall be provided only to the parent whose car is used to transport the students to school.
   
   
2. Upon written approval of the principal, staff may transport students when a student’s welfare is involved; when due care dictates prompt action, when engaged in occasional field trip activity or when engaged in an occasional extracurricular activity. The staff member shall acknowledge that he/she agrees to assume full responsibility for any liability or property damage, comprehensive or collision, made by or against the driver/owner of the vehicle. The district’s liability insurance shall cover the risk assumed by the district. The mileage of the staff member shall be reimbursed by the district.

The superintendent shall establish procedures for the use of private auto transportation.

Legal References:    
RCW 28A.160.030      Authorizing individual transportation or other arrangements
WAC 392-143-070      Other vehicles used to transport students

ADOPTED: 03/24/1993
REVISED: 04/23/98; 03/23/06

Procedure No. 6625P Private Vehicle Transportation

Whenever students are transported via private auto during field trips or other officially sanctioned activities, the following requirements are necessary: 

1. The parent of each student shall sign a permission slip consenting to the use of private transportation.
   
   
2. The principal shall assume responsibility for determining that the driver of the automobile is properly licensed.
   
   
3. The district's liability coverage shall cover the risk assumed by the district. The driver of the vehicle shall acknowledge that he/she will assume full responsibility for any liability or property damage, comprehensive, or collision claims made by or against the driver or owner of the vehicle. The district shall not be obligated to pursue action against another party who may through negligence do damage to either persons or vehicles en route to school events. 

"In Lieu" Transportation

The following procedures shall apply when "in lieu" transportation is used: 

1. All requests for "in lieu" transportation shall be directed to the transportation department.
   
   
2. The transportation department shall distribute instructions and reimbursement claim forms for all approved requests. The driver of the private vehicle shall acknowledge that the driver or owner assumes full responsibility for any liability, property damage or collision claims associated with "in lieu" transportation. 
   
   
3. The school shall accept claim forms on a monthly basis and verify attendance, and transmit completed claim forms to the transportation department. 
   
   
4. The transportation department shall forward completed claim forms to business office.

ADOPTED:  03/24/1993
REVISED: 04/23/98