EEA

DEERFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Transportation Policy

School Bus Scheduling and Routing

I. Guiding Principles

A. The transportation program complies with all applicable R.S.A.’s.

B. The transportation program complies with policies and procedures of the N.H. Department of Transportation.

II. Establishment of Routes

A. Criteria

    1. Routes should be designed to be as time and energy efficient as possible.
    2. Routes should minimize the time students spend on buses to the greatest extend possible.
    3. Priority in distance to stops is given to younger children.
    4. Routes and stops are designed to provide optimum safety (i.e.: visibility, terrain issues, width and condition of road, amount of traffic, etc.)
    5. Students are clustered at common stops to the greatest extent appropriate.
    6. High school runs are infused in a manner which compliments local runs.
    7. The time students are on buses is balanced to the greatest extent possible.
    8. Bus size and configuration are matched to the expected road conditions and specific student needs.

B. Guidelines

    1. State Highways – Routes 107 & 43
    1. Driveway to bus stop will not exceed ¼ mile with stops located to provide for safety (primarily traffic visibility)
    2. Cluster students by neighborhood to reduce number of stops
    1. Accessible Town Roads
    1. Driveway to bus stop will not exceed ½ mile for primary students (E-3) and ¾ mile for intermediate and middle school students (4-8)
    1. Inaccessible Roads
    1. Some roads are not accessible to school buses because they are too narrow, too steep or do not allow for turning a bus around. Students on these roads whose walk exceeds the guideline for Accessible Town Roads will be picked up at the closest accessible point.
    1. Currier Road – Not safe for standard bus. District vehicle will be used only when no other option is available.

APPROVED: February, 1991

REAFFIRMED: June, 1992

REAFFIRMED: January, 1993

5. Students traveling to other than their residences will be allowed on space available basis, only on established routes, and only upon written notice to the bus coordinator.

C. Process

    1. Bus Coordinator obtains student enrollment list – early July.
    2. Coordinator and drivers meet, evaluate past year’s routes and stops, find houses of new students, and draft a route/stop proposal.
    3. Proposal is reviewed with designated School Board member.
    4. Final draft is reviewed at school board meeting, recommended by Coordinator and designated School Board member, and approved in August.
    5. Routes and stops are published in the Communicator.
    6. Late registrations are problematic in that they may necessitate alteration of newly established and publicized routes and stops. This often affects the efficiency of runs.
    7. The Coordinator reviews routes/stops and requests approval of any changes at the October Board meeting.

III. Conflict Resolution

A. Conflicts, requests, questions are presented to the Coordinator for review.

B. If the Coordinator perceives a safety concern or if there is agreement that a change or addition to the route/stop is justified, the Coordinator will immediately make the change after consultation with the designated Board member. Changes will be brought to the full Board for confirmation at its next scheduled meeting.

C. If the Coordinator does not approve the request, and the petitioner wishes to appeal this decision:
    1. The Coordinator compiles all appropriate data from his/her investigation for Board review.
    1. The Coordinator may request a meeting with the petitioner with the Principal acting as mediator to seek resolution. The principal will not decide bus route/stop issues.
    2. The Coordinator may seek the advice/review of state officials.
    1. The petitioner writes an appeal to the School Board.
    2. The Board hears the appeal as part of its next available agenda.
    3. The Board makes a decision on the route/stop question after hearing all appropriate information.