6630 Driver Training and Responsibility
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School Bus operators shall observe all state statutes and administrative rules governing traffic safety and school bus operation. The district shall, at the beginning of each school year, verify that each school bus driver has been provided a copy of the OSPI School Bus Driver Handbook (SPI), the district’s policy and procedure on the Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying, any additional laws and/or rules which apply to school bus drivers, and the district's written rules for student conduct on buses.
Bus Driver Qualifications
Prior to on-the-road training, the district will verify that each driver holds a commercial driver’s license instruction permit and a valid Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examiner’s certificate, and the district will conduct a pre-employment drug screening pursuant to federal regulations. The school district shall verify a negative result of such test prior to allowing the driver to operate a school bus on public roads, regardless of whether or not students are on board.
A. Initial Authorization
Prior to transporting students, each school bus driver must have a school bus driver's authorization issued by the superintendent of public instruction; a commercial drivers license appropriate for the size vehicle they will drive, including a passenger endorsement; and a school bus endorsement (with the air brake restriction removed if they drive a bus with air brakes). A school bus driver shall also hold a valid and current first aid card (unless the driver has a temporary school bus driver authorization). A school bus driver is required to maintain and carry a valid Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examiners certificate and to demonstrate annually their continued ability to pass the Superintendent of Public Instruction school bus driver physical certification requirement. The school district retains the right to request more frequent medical examinations or demonstration of the physical ability requirements.
B. Continuing Compliance
At least once each school year, school bus drivers must submit to their supervisor a photocopy of the following: a valid commercial driver’s license indicating the appropriate endorsements, a valid DOT medical examiner’s certificate, and a current first aid card. Annually school bus drivers shall make a written disclosure verifying that they meet the continuing requirements for school bus drivers and verifying that their driving and criminal records do not indicate any disqualifying conditions.
At least annually, the district will obtain an original, current and complete school bus driver abstract directly from the Department of Licensing verifying that each school bus driver is in compliance with all continuing bus driver qualifications and that their driving record does not indicate any disqualifying conditions.
Employees are responsible for reporting any potentially disqualifying offenses to the school district or their supervisor within 20 days. Within 20 days of receiving notice, the district shall notify OSPI in writing of the disqualifying offense.
The district shall comply with all drug testing requirements under federal law, which include random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing. Failure to submit to a drug test shall result in termination.
Transportation by a School Employee
Any district employee, other than a school bus driver, who transports students for school activities in a district or private vehicle, must have a valid driver's license issued by the state department of licensing (or their state of residence), and proof of insurance. Such drivers may only operate vehicles with a manufacturer’s rated seating capacity of ten or less including the driver. Such drivers are required to be authorized school bus drivers if they drive students on scheduled routes between home and school.
In addition, for any employees whose job assignment or supplemental contract requires the regularly scheduled transportation of students in vehicles with a manufacturer’s rated seating capacity of ten or fewer, the district shall obtain a certified abstract of the driving record of the employee before the employee transports students. This requirement is not necessary for persons transporting students in an emergency affecting health and/or safety.
Supervision of Students
When a teacher, coach or other certificated staff member is assigned to accompany students on a bus, such person shall be primarily responsible for the behavior of the students in their charge and shall ensure that student behavior complies with state regulations and district policy. The bus driver shall have final authority and responsibility.
Charter Buses or Excursion Carriers
When the district utilizes charter buses or excursion carriers, the driver shall not have unsupervised access to children and children shall be supervised by a responsible employee of the district. Every contract between the school district and a charter bus or excursion carrier shall contain a carrier profile from the Washington utilities and transportation commission indicating a satisfactory safety rating.
Legal References:
RCW 28A.160.210 School bus drivers, training and qualifications –Rules
46.25 Uniform Commercial Drivers Act
WAC 392-144 School bus driver qualifications
392-145-015 General operating regulations
392-145-020 Rules for school bus drivers;
through 030 Rules for students riding school buses
49CFR382 FHWA CDL Drug Testing Requirements
Management Resources:
Policy News, Oct. 2006 OSPI Updates Bus Driver Rules
Policy News, April 2007 School Bus Driver Qualifications
ADOPTED: 12/12/96
REVISED: 04/23/98; 08/26/99; 02/23/2006; 12/14/2006; 06/07/07
6000 Policies
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FINANCIAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
6000 Program Planning, Budget Preparation, Adoption and Implementation
6001 Tax Deferred Annuity/Compensation
6020 System of Funds and Accounts
6021 Interfund Loans
6022 Minimum Fund Balance
6030 Financial Reports
6040 Expenditures in Excess of Budget
6070 Employee Suggestion Program
REVENUES
6100 Revenues from Local, State and Federal Sources
6101 Federal Cash and Financial Management
6102 District Fund-Raising Activities
6106 Allowable Costs for Federal Programs
6111 Tuition
6112 Rental or Lease of District Property
6114 Gifts or Donations
6120 Investment of Funds
6121 Personal Checks - Acceptance and Processing
PURCHASING
6210 Purchasing: Authorization and Control
6212 Charge Cards
6213 Reimbursement for Travel Expenses
6215 Voucher Certification and Approval
6216 Reimbursement for Goods and Services: Warrants
6220 Bid Requirements
6225 Use of Electronic Signature
6230 Relations with Vendors
6250 Cellular Telephones
RISK MANAGEMENT
6500 Risk Management
6511 Staff Safety
6512 Infection Control Program
6513 Workplace Violence Prevention
6530 Insurance
6535 Student Insurance
6540 Staff Personal Property Protection
6570 Property and Data Management
6580 Continuity of Operations Plan
TRANSPORTATION
6600 Transportation
6605 Student Safety Walking, Biking and Riding Buses to School
6608 Video Cameras on School Buses
6610 Video surveillance
6620 Special Transportation
6625 Private Vehicle Transportation
6630 Driver Training and Responsibility
6640 School Owned Vehicles
6690 Contracting for Transportation Services
FOOD SERVICES
6700 Nutrition and Physical Fitness
SCHOOL PROPERTY
6800 Safety, Operations and Maintenance of School Property
6801 Capital Assets/Theft-Sensitive Assets
6810 Energy Management, Education and Conservation
6881 Disposal of Surplus Equipment and/or Materials
6882 Sale of Real Property
6883 Closure of Facilities
6890 State Environmental Policy Act Compliance
6895 Pesticide Notification, Posting and Record Keeping
CAPITAL PROJECTS
6900 Facilities Planning
6905 Site Acquisition
6910 Construction Financing
6920 Construction Design
6925 Architect and Engineering Services
6950 Contractor Assurances, Surety Bonds and Insurance
6955 Maintenance of Records
6959 Acceptance of Completed Project
6970 Naming of Schools/Facilities
6971 Works of Art