INDUSTRIAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT VANDERBILT, TEXAS HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

Transcription

1 INDUSTRIAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT VANDERBILT, TEXAS HANDBOOK FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS Administration Office 167 Fifth Street P.O. Box 369 Vanderbilt, Texas (361) Ext Tony Williams, Superintendent Transportation Office 396 Arenosa Street P.O. Box 369 Vanderbilt, Texas (361) Ext Jeff Woodring, Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation Revised 6/11/13-1 -

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Transportation Payroll.. 3 Requirements and Conduct of Drivers.. 3 Authority of Driver.. 4 IISD School Bus Rules Safety Booklet.. 5 School Bus Discipline.. 6 Bus Driver Expectations.. 8 Driver Responsibility.. 8 Personnel Policies.. 11 Bus and Auto Accidents on Trips Away from District.. 12 Precautionary Measures Before Leaving District.. 12 In the Event of an Accident.. 12 Bus Accident with Serious Injury and/or Fatalities.. 12 Rules for Sponsoring Groups.. 14 Extra-Curricular Trips.. 14 The Wheel Chair Student.. 17 IISD Non-Bus Policy

3 TRANSPORTATION PAYROLL All Industrial ISD employees are paid on the monthly payroll. Monthly payroll checks are issued on the fifteenth day of each month after 1:00 p.m. Closing date for payroll is the end of the month. All extra trips and substitute driving time needs to be turned in to the Transportation office by the closing date. Any change in address or personal information must be reported to the Administration Office by the end of each month to be effective on the next payroll. In case of termination of employment, a letter of resignation is required before the last check will be issued. No withdrawal from the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) can be accepted without a letter of resignation. It is the Employers responsibility to notify the payroll department of changes that affect your payroll status. If a driver leaves after taking a physical at district expense, the driver will reimburse the district for the expense the district lost. REQUIREMENTS AND CONDUCT OF DRIVERS Requirements: 1. Valid Texas Drivers License Class B-CDL with (P) passenger and (S) school bus Endorsements or higher. (District will pay for renewal of CDL.) 2. Physical Report. Physicals should be obtained as soon as possible and must be on file in the Administration Office before you are allowed to drive. Pinnacle comes in April of each year to do physicals for all CDL holders. If a driver uses another doctor or clinic on their own, IISD will pay the first $35.00 only hour School Bus Driver Training course with 8 hours refresher course every 3 years. All training done by Region III will be paid by the school district. 4. Less than 10 points on driver s license check from Texas Department of Public Safety. 5. Pre-employment drug screening with periodic random screening. 6. Criminal and license check will be done on all employees before they are hired. License check will be conducted twice a school year (beginning of school year and after the Christmas Holidays). 7. According to Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), beginning January 1, 2008, all new non-certified hires will be required to undergo a fingerprinting process in addition to the normal criminal history review. Conduct: The bus driver is important to the school program. The bus driver is the first and last representative of Industrial ISD that a student sees each day. It is important to create a good impression. Start the student's day off with a smile and friendly greeting. The example set by the driver carries great weight with the student in school activities through out the day. Show students respect to receive respect from them. Insist on being called Mr., Mrs., or Miss. DO NOT ALLOW STUDENTS TO USE YOUR FIRST NAME

4 Be as neat and clean as possible and dress comfortable. Do not wear shorts, skorts, body shirts, mid-drifts, short skirts or sundresses. Shoes should be oxford types no open toe shoes of any type including sandals or thongs, and no shoes with heels are allowed. Maintain your composure at all times. Do not use profanity or abusive language. Never strike or shake a student. At all times avoid criticizing other school personnel to anyone. Tobacco in any form is prohibited on the bus or on any Industrial Independent School property. It is against the law to use a cell phone, to call or text, while driving. The driver must stop in a safe location to make a call. AUTHORITY OF DRIVER BE FAIR---BE FIRM Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of and responsibility of the driver of the bus. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation in accordance with the regulations of the governing Board of the District. The driver of any school bus shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils transported. No bus driver shall require any pupil to leave the bus before such pupil has reached his or her destination. Students will be allowed on or off a bus only at school or regular stop, unless authorized in writing by parent or guardian and approved by the principal. The principal will have each bus student complete a copy of the Application for School Transportation (3 X 5 card) and return to the Transportation Office. This information should give a physical and mailing address of the student being transported to and from school. An emergency contact person with their phone number should also be included. All new riders will complete the Transportation Form. The Texas Education Agency s Register of Eligible Riders form will be on the buses the first Tuesday of each month for the months of September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April and May. The forms must be completed on the first Wednesday, with the folder being turned into the Transportation office the following day

5 INDUSTRIAL ISD SCHOOL BUS RULES SAFETY BOOKLET (All offences are cumulative.) ONLY INDUSTRIAL I.S.D. STUDENTS OR AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS WITH PRIOR APPROVAL WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER OR RIDE A SCHOOL BUS. General Safety Rules: 1. Obey the instruction of the bus driver. At no time will a student act toward or address comments to a bus driver in a disrespectful manner or refuse to cooperate with the driver. 2. Get on and off the bus at your designated stop. 3. All students must ride only their assigned bus 4. Do not ask to ride home on another bus with a friend. 5. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to school if a child misses or is suspended from the bus. 6. All students will follow IISD dress code policy while on the bus or dock. Procedures for Waiting for the Bus: 1. Be at your bus stop five minutes before scheduled pickup time. The driver will not wait or honk for individuals or daycares. 2. Stand on the sidewalk or back from the roadway in a safe place while waiting for the bus. Be in plain sight of the approaching bus driver and other traffic. Be watchful and do not play around. 3. Before the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately. Be at least ten feet back from the bus stop. 4. Stand still and clear of the bus. Move toward the bus only after the bus has stopped and has opened the door and/or the driver signals you to load. 5. If you miss the bus, go home immediately. 6. Parents should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if the bus is missed. 7. Students will abide by the rules and regulations concerning bus conduct. Loading the Bus: 1. Do not push or shove. 2. Stay out of the bus Danger Zone (10 foot on the side, 10 foot in front and never behind). Wait until the door opens or the driver gives the signal before approaching the bus. 3. Use the handrails and steps. One step at a time. 4. Go directly to your assigned seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated. Delays affect traffic and schedules. 5. The driver may assign students seats. *During a bus route, all property within 100 ft. of the bus is considered school property. Students shall conduct themselves appropriately. Conduct on the Bus: 1. Students are under the authority of Industrial ISD while on the bus. 2. Scuffling, fighting and the use of profane or vulgar language and gestures are forbidden. 3. Do not litter, mark, cut or scratch any part of the bus. The student responsible for damage will not ride the bus until the school district has been compensated for those damages. 4. Students should only use the emergency and exit door during supervised drills or actual extreme emergency. 5. Students shall never attempt to operate the passenger door or other controls except in case of extreme emergency. 6. Students shall face forward for the duration of the trip, and shall keep their feet in front of them and out of the bus aisle. 7. Live animals or insects of any nature may not be carried on the bus

6 Getting off the bus: 1. Stay seated until the bus is completely stopped at your designated stop and the door has been opened. 2. Use the handrail and take one step at a time when leaving the bus. 3. Wait for your turn to leave the bus. Pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause an accident. 4. Stay out of the bus Danger Zone. 5. If an article drops or rolls near or under the bus, do not go after it! Go to the bus door and alert the driver and ask the driver for help. 6. The driver and school officials are not responsible for articles left on the bus. Parents are responsible to be available at bus drop off. If no parent is available these steps will be followed: 1. Call parent 2. Call campus to let them know parent is not present. 3. Student will ride the remaining route and then be dropped off at their home campus to remain with principal until the parent arrives. 4. If parent cannot be reached, Sheriff s Dept. will be contacted. 5. Students must use designated stops for entry and exit of buses. If a student boards or exits a bus at any location other than a designated stop the student will not be allowed to ride again until the parent meets with the Superintendent and Transportation Director. 6. If this happens more than two times, it could result in the student not being able to ride the bus for the remainder of the six weeks. Letting off Pre-Kindergarten: Parents or a designated adult must be at the bus stop to receive PK students. If no one is there to receive the student they will be returned to their campus. Upon the third occurrence, bus service will be discontinued for that student. It is the responsibility of the parent to see that students who are returned to school are picked up. Designated Stop: Students will be picked up and dropped off only at their designated bus stop. Only one location for pick up and one location for delivery will be allowed. Any request for change must be made to and approved by the Transportation Director. Requests received after 12:00 noon will be processed the following day. SCHOOL BUS DISCIPLINE The District makes school bus transportation available to all students. This service is provided at no cost to students. Riding the bus is a privilege. Video cameras may be used in district vehicles to promote compliance with the rules of conduct. Videotapes or portions of videotapes may be protected students records. (District Policy TX) Any means of bus transportation shall be treated as an extension of the classroom. Students are expected to assist the district in ensuring that buses remain in good condition and that transportation is provided safely. When riding school buses, students must: Follow the driver s directions at all times Be seated as quickly as possible and remain seated. Trouble can be avoided if the student will not try to save a seat for their friends. Be on time to the bus stop, and board and leave the bus in an orderly manner at the designated bus stop nearest home Not throw waste paper or other rubbish on the floor of the bus or out the window - 6 -

7 Not use tobacco or alcohol in any form, or eat or drink while on the bus Not extend their arms, feet, or head out of the bus window Remain in their seats while the bus is in motion Engage in ordinary conversation; not shouting or making disturbing noises Stand at a safe distance from the pavement or roadway Damage should be reported promptly to the driver and/or the director of transportation Students going to and from the bus stop should walk facing oncoming traffic. They should stay several feet off the street or roadway. No skateboards or balls of any type allowed on the bus. Live animals or insects of any nature may not be carried on the bus. GENERAL TRANSPORTATION PROVISIONS FOR DISCIPLINE The driver is to submit all discipline referrals immediately in writing to the transportation department and referrals will then be faxed or hand delivered to the campus principal. Misconduct will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; bus-riding privileges may be suspended. Students that are non-compliant with the bus driver will be escorted off the bus by law enforcement. Principal will notify student and parents of the following action taken when a student is written up for a bus referral: First referral: Called to the school office and warned Second referral: Suspended from riding a school bus for 3 days Third referral: Suspended from riding a school bus for 5 days Fourth referral: Suspended from riding a school bus until the end of the school year Severe conduct will be handled at an elevated level. The district may provide transportation to students in a DAEP. Any bus referrals will result in a loss of the bus services. Disruption of Transportation (Ed Cod ) is a Class C Misdemeanour. This can be issued to any adult or student for any type of disruption or delay of school bus transportation and may result in a $500 fine

8 Bus driver will arrive at destination safely. BUS DRIVER EXPECTATIONS Any misconduct on the bus will be reported to the principal's office on the form Notice of Unsatisfactory Conduct on School Bus. Verbal notification is not acceptable. Avoid any negative contact with the parents. While on the route the driver will not engage in parent conferences. If a conference is necessary, please contact Jeff Woodring at (361) Ext or Drivers shall immediately report to their supervisor personal injuries occurring while on the job. Employees are not permitted to ride a route or go on field trips with other drivers without prior approval. Any traffic tickets received and any changes in license status must be reported immediately to Jeff Woodring. Drivers are not allowed to eat or drink while students are on the bus, or while driving the bus. A bus driver shall not make stops that are not relative to the performance of the route. The bus operator shall not stop at a store, doctor s office, fast food restaurants or any place of business for personal reasons. Any layover shall be spent on a campus or at the Transportation Center, if closer. Any exceptions must be approved in writing by your supervisor. If Industrial ISD schools are forced to close due to in climate weather, our buses will not make regular runs. In this situation, the information will be given to the local radio and TV stations or you may call Jeff Woodring s mobile # or the bus barn at Ext. 1603, 1601 or If you have not received prior notification, you will be expected to report to the Transportation Center at your normal time. All drivers should keep in mind that if a school day has to be cut short, due to a natural disaster or any other circumstance beyond our control, they should report, immediately, to the Transportation Department. High-water Procedures-Flash Flooding, etc.: If in your opinion, high water indicates conditions are too dangerous for the students to walk, contact the transportation office. If we are unable to deliver students to their regular stops or get close enough to walk home, return the student to the school of origin. Cold or Rainy Weather: During cold or rainy weather, the driver should not assume that students would be waiting at bus stops for the bus. They will be waiting in garages, on front porches, or in houses. The driver should therefore stop for a reasonable amount of time and look for these students

9 DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY The Driver is responsible for: Paper work as needed by office personnel See Below for directions on Eligible Rider and Route description: Texas Education Agency s Register of Eligible Riders: All eligible routes are required to have an official Eligible Rider Roster while the route is in operation which lists those students who meet the criteria established for eligible student riders. An official count of eligible students must be conducted for each route, which documents the total average daily ridership reported for the respective subprogram. Eligible Rider Rosters and Official Counts of eligible riders shall be accurately maintained by the district for audit purposes. The first Wednesday of each month of the school year [hereinafter, official count day ] shall be used to record individual routes ridership for morning or afternoon service. Routes that are run at mid-day for Pre-K service also require counts of eligible riders. If a morning and afternoon count is conducted on the same route on an official count day, the district much choose the higher of the two counts for purposes of determining average daily ridership. Morning and afternoon counts may not be combined to determine ridership on a count day. If school is not in session or the route is not operated on an official count day, the next regular school day the route is in full operation shall serve as the official count day for that month. Average daily ridership is the average of the two highest month s official counts conducted during the school year for each route. The forms must be completed on the first Wednesday, with the form being turned into the office of Transportation the following day. Route Description: An official, turn-by-turn, round trip description for each reported route, which documents eligible total daily mileage to serve eligible students to and from school, shall be accurately maintained by the district. Route descriptions should be written to correspond with the way the route is consistently driven daily to provide service to eligible students. Each route shall be assigned a unique identification number (or other designation) and its description shall include only verified mileage for serving eligible students riders between their respective residences (or established stops at or near their homes) and their respective campus served (for school-to-home route service). Route descriptions must begin and end at the same campus, not where the vehicle is parked during periods of non-operation. Route description are for the purpose of determining eligible mileage and do not begin and end where the student transportation vehicle is parked (during the day or night) therefore they do not include ineligible/deadhead mileage. Deadhead mileage is the difference between eligible mileage (where the route officially begins and ends, route description) and actual mileage (mileage beginning and ending at the bus park or where the bus/vehicle starts and stops)

10 Route description must be turned in by the third week of school. Keeping inside of bus clean, after each route and extra-curricular trip. Pre-trip Inspection is required each time and every time you run your bus. (Tires, lights, fuel gauge and all other gauges.) Allow enough time to do this. Fuel bus after AM route Check seats for damage and lost items before/after each run. Any item left on bus must be taken to child s school or maintenance office to return to child. Be sure all switches are OFF following each run. No headset use while driving. Drive bus assigned. Check Fire Extinguisher and First Aid Kit regularly. Check rear door buzzer regularly. Use bus driver seat belts at all times. Be on the bus when any student is on the bus. (Except Extra-Curricular trips.) Report any mechanical problem on the Bus Repair form. (Do not report problem to mechanic. It MUST be written on the proper form.) Attend all mandatory meetings scheduled by the Director. (Third Thursday of each month) Notify the transportation office and principal anytime your bus is late to school in the mornings by calling on your mobile phone or radio in to base. DO NOT use the mobile phone while driving. Make turn on green light only. DO NOT make right turn on red light after stop. Operate door handle -students cannot be allowed to open and close doors. Perform one Emergency Evacuation Procedure a semester. (Within the first or second week of the beginning of the semester) If seating chart is not used, a rider list must be filled out and remain on the bus at all times. Drinking of any alcoholic beverage cannot be allowed while on duty or during the day between your routes. Remember at all times you are a public relations agent for Industrial I.S.D

11 Only Industrial I.S.D. students and other authorized individuals with prior approval are allowed to board a bus. The route must be driven the way it is written. Buses leave the transportation office or campus where it is housed overnight and continuing on the assigned route to last school served. Routes are run in reverse in the afternoon (from the school). The Director of Transportation must approve any changes be made in the route. Do not change a route without approval from Director of Transportation. In the event of a bus breakdown telephone the transportation office, and give the following information: bus number route number type of problem, (i.e., flat tire, front or rear, inside or outside) number of students remaining on bus Will another bus be needed? Exact location of bus ALWAYS STOP AT RAILROAD CROSSING WITH OR WITHOUT STUDENTS. Use hazard lights at Railroad Crossings. Do not use loading lights (amber/red alternating lights) at railroad crossings. Stop on shoulder of road, if possible, or as far to right as possible. DO NOT CROSS RAILROAD TRACKS WHEN WARNING ARMS ARE DOWN AND/OR WARNING LIGHTS ARE FLASHING. WAIT OR TURN AROUND. Loading lights are to be used only when loading and unloading students. Loading lights should not be used when on a school campus. Never activate the red loading lights when the bus is in motion. 50 MPH is the legal speed limit for school buses. Driver is not to exceed 50 MPH for any reason. In case of absences: Notify Director of Transportation by 5:00 a.m. in plenty of time so that a substitute can be notified to drive the route if necessary. If a driver is absent without notifying the office, he/she may be reassigned to another route, put on the substitute list or terminated. PERSONNEL POLICIES Any employee who violates policies and procedures of the Industrial ISD Transportation Department is subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary Action may include a written reprimand, a written warning, suspension from work with or without pay, and/or termination

12 Except when otherwise stated in this handbook, it is the department's practice that first offence violations are subject to a reprimand or a written warning. A second violation is subject to a written warning and/or suspension from driving without pay. A third violation can result in termination. (Exceptions: failure to observe the following rules will result in immediate termination.) Unauthorized absences (no-show's) are unacceptable and will subject the employee to disciplinary action: A written warning being issued to the individual will denote each occurrence. Three written notices within a ninety (90) school day period will be considered to be excessive absenteeism and the employee may be terminated. BUS AND AUTO ACCIDENTS ON TRIPS AWAY FROM DISTRICT Precautionary Measures Before Leaving District 1. Check to see if First-Aid Kit is on bus as required by law. 2. Take along a First-Aid Kit on all field trips, UIL trips, etc. 3. Take along a list of students in attendance. Include for each, a home telephone number and address, names of parents, parent s work telephone number, and any indications of health or medical problems. 4. Take along a list of sponsors and teachers who are in attendance on trip, their home addresses and home phone numbers, name and work telephone of spouse or nearest relative, and medical and health information regarding each adult. 5. Have more than one copy of the phone lists and leave one list with the school principal. 6. Follow Board Policy and Administrative Regulations on field trips. In the Event of an Accident 1. Remain calm. 2. If threat of fire exists, move children to safe place. 3. Call emergency vehicle/services; policy, fire ambulance, Depart of Public Safety, and begin administration of first-aid. 4. Call: Office Home Cell Tony Williams Ext Jeff Woodring Ext Then call down procedure will be followed to contact other administrative personnel. 5. Do not issue statements to the press. Refer to civil authorities in charge or to the Superintendent. BUS ACCIDENT WITH SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR FATALITIES It is likely that most bus accidents will occur within close proximity of the School District. First Action: 1. Driver and/or aide remain calm. 2. If threat of fire, move children and others to safe location

13 3. Administer first-aid. 4. Call for emergency help from policy, fire, ambulance, etc Have seating chart of students showing where they were seated at the time of the accident. Other Actions: 1. Call Superintendent to School Office Ext Home Cell Call Transportation Director - Office Ext Cell Make no statement to the media. Refer them to civil authorities on site or to the Office of Superintendent. Precautionary Measures: 1. Follow Board Policy and administer regulations when making field trips. 2. Keep important phone numbers in bus for emergency phone calls

14 RULES FOR SPONSORING GROUPS A bus requisition must be sent to the Transportation Office at least one (1) week prior to an extra- curricular trip with the following information: (Tentative itinerary) depart time from campus, route to destination, rest or meal stops, arrival time. If you are requesting a driver for the trip, or if the sponsor is the driver, please so state on the requisition. The transportation office will assign a bus and driver for the trip and return the form to the principal, sponsoring group, and driver regarding the trip. Drivers agreeing to drive extra curricular trips will be paid as follows: Driving time at regular rate this includes all stops to and from the event (includes bathroom and meal breaks, excludes waiting time); if you drive for an extra curricular trip and it prevents you from driving your regular route, you are guaranteed the route time that you missed at a minimum. Waiting time will be paid at $7.25 per hour (this includes time spent waiting while students are participating in the event). For overnight stay you will receive an additional 8 hours maximum for waiting time for the night hours. EXTRA -CURRICULAR TRIPS Extra-Curricular trips will be assigned by the Transportation Office under the authority of the Transportation Supervisor and are optional to the driver. Field Trips: On extra-curricular trips the driver is to remain with the group. Before leaving on the trip, the driver must have: trip form bus key gate key gas card (picked up at central office) route to destination and maps If you plan to leave after working hours, these items need to be picked up during office hours the day before you leave. Driving time will begin when the bus leaves the Transportation parking lot. The sponsoring group will be responsible for: providing a complete itinerary of trip for the driver including where meals will be, etc. list of students and sponsors on bus both going and coming

15 providing drivers meals on any trip made over a mealtime sponsoring group must furnish bus driver with money to purchase meal, if not included with the group sponsoring group should request meal ticket receipts for money given driver for meals meals are not on a per diem basis when the group orders and eats as a group, the driver's meal may be included only those meal tickets not paid for, or meals not furnished by the sponsoring group may be turned into the Transportation Office for reimbursement. DO NOT ASK SPONSOR FOR MONEY FOR MEALS TO EAT AWAY FROM GROUP. MEAL ALLOWANCES FOR BREAKFAST: $8.00 (OVERNIGHT TRIP ONLY) LUNCH: $10.00 (DRIVER LEAVING AT 11:30 A.M. OR LATER NO LUNCH ALLOWANCE DINNER $12.00 (DRIVER LEAVING AT 6:00 P.M. OR LATER NO DINNNER ALLOWANCE). DRIVER RETURNING BEFORE 7:00 P.M. NO DINNER ALLOWANCE On overnight trips Sponsoring Groups are responsible for: arranging and paying for separate accommodations for drivers notifying Transportation Office of hotel accommodations at least 24 hours prior to trip leaving time enforcing the rules of Extra-Curricular school trips. Driver is responsible only for operation of bus, and will not be expected to act as a chaperon. THE DRIVER IS EXPECTED TO ENFORCE RULES IF SPONSOR ON BUS FAILS TO DO SO. BUS RIDER REGULATIONS FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR TRIPS THESE RULES MUST BE READ TO GROUP BY SPONSOR BEFORE EACH TRIP Bus sponsors and coaches should see that the students remove all litter from the buses; if not, the department/class/organization, etc. will be charged for the extra cleaning. REAR DOOR MUST NOT BE USED TO ENTER OR EXIT EXCEPT IN AN EMERGENCY. Rear door and aisle must be clear of any objects (luggage, instruments, ice chests, boxes, etc. Front door area by the door must be clear of any objects

16 Students must remain in seat while bus is in motion. Students must not put head, hands, arms, feet or legs, out of bus window. Students must not throw any objects inside bus or out of bus windows. Students must not have in their possession any weapons, explosives, fireworks, knives, water guns, matches or any other article that could be dangerous to other riders or to the bus. Lunches, snacks, and drinks will be allowed on the bus on extra trips. Bottles and cans must be kept off the floors of bus. Sunflower seeds are PROHIBITED at all times. Use of tobacco in any form CANNOT be allowed on a school bus by ADULTS or STUDENTS. Banners, streamers, posters, shoe polish, etc., cannot be attached to the outside of the bus. Place items/decorations inside the bus in such a way that will block the drivers view. All busses must be cleaned by the sponsoring group after the completion of the trip and returned to the bus barn in the same condition as it was received. The Transportation Director determines route to destination. DO NOT change predetermined route. Any change in predetermined route must be reported to Transportation Director as soon as possible. DROPPING OFF STUDENTS PLACES OTHER THAN THE CAMPUSES IS PROHIBITED. Any sponsor wanting an alternate route must have the route change approved by the Transportation Director prior to the start of the trip. Drivers will not for any reason exceed 50 MPH. Two or more buses with the same destination will travel in convoy. On long trips drivers will be allowed a rest stop at the drivers discretion. On trips with destination of more than 225 miles, two (2) drivers may be assigned to the trip with the sponsoring group paying waiting time, meals, and accommodations for the extra driver. On trips with two (2) or more buses and a destination of 225 miles or more, an extra driver will be assigned with the sponsoring group paying waiting time, meals, and accommodations for the extra driver. Allow two (2) passengers per seat in loading bus. Aisle, rear door and front door must be clear of any objects. Rear door must not be locked when bus is moving. REMEMBER the Driver is Responsible for the bus

17 THE WHEEL CHAIR STUDENT "Positioning Systems on a Mobility Base" The Industrial ISD is now transporting wheelchair students on our school buses and the District must be sure Federal Law is followed. To facilitate safe transportation, the transportation committee may recommend the following to parents: 1. All wheelchairs have brakes that are in working condition. 2. The wheels of the wheelchair are stable and in proper alignment with the wheelchair. Flat tires should be corrected promptly. 3. The pelvic positioning strap and harness system needs to be secured through buckle fasteners instead of Velcro. The strength of the Velcro fasteners is not sufficient for the forces generated in a crash. 4. A neck collar must be used when there is poor head control. 5. The need for armrests, trunk and extremity positioning pads and leg rests is evaluated on an individual basis. 6. Wheelchair trays must be removed during transportation, as they may become dangerous to both the students and others on the bus in the event of a crash. Many students use the trays for an upper extremity weight-bearing surface to assist in increased trunk stability. When the trays are removed during transportation, it may be necessary to add an additional chest harness to provide trunk stability. 7. Wheelchairs with a tiling space mechanism should have a locked position to maintain the wheelchair in place. 8. Non-acid batteries should be used on motorized wheelchairs, since they are nonexplosive and will not leak or spill

18 INDUSTRIAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NON-BUS POLICY 1. Vehicles not to exceed recommended capacity by manufacture. a. Suburbans-9 passengers including driver 2. Priority a. Longest Distance/Overnight b. Student Trips c. Largest Number of Students d. Curriculum First, Extra-Curriculum Second e. Field Trips f. Organizations g. Teachers/Coaches h. Administrators/School Board 3. Charges for gasoline to school, organization, activity 4. Driver must be a school employee. 5. School may furnish driver 6. No students will be allowed behind the wheel. 7. Non-bus Requisition Form needs to be complete and turned in to Carol Trevino at the bus barn seven days in advance of trip. After confirmation no changes will be made three days prior to event. 8. Texting or cell phone use is prohibited while driving. 9. Insurance card is in vehicle 10. Seat belts must be secured at all times on everyone in vehicle. 11. Primary use of non-bus is for passengers instead of equipment. 12. $50.00 fine if the vehicle is not returned clean. 13. Speed limit-not to exceed posted speed limit of road signs this is only on a Non-bus vehicle/suburban, truck or car with a maximum of 70 M.P.H 14. Insurance card must be in glove compartment at all times