I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide for safe transportation for students and educate students on safety issues and responsibilities of school bus ridership. It includes information regarding parent/guardian involvement, school bus driver duties, responsibilities, training, emergency procedures on buses, and vehicle standards.
II. PLAN FOR STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY TRAINING
A. School Bus Safety Week
School bus safety week will coincide with National School Bus Safety Week.
B. Student Training
1. The Moorhead Area Public Schools shall provide students enrolled in grades K through 10 with age-appropriate school bus safety training on the following concepts:
a. transportation by school bus is a privilege, not a right;
b. district policies for student conduct and school bus safety;
c. appropriate conduct while on the bus;
d. the danger zones surrounding a school bus;
e. procedures for safely boarding and leaving a school bus;
f. procedures for safe vehicle lane crossings; and
g. school bus evacuation and other emergency procedures.
2. All students in grades K through 6 who are transported by school bus and are enrolled during the first or second week of school must receive the school bus safety training by the end of the third week of school. All students in grades 7 through 10 who are transported by school bus and are enrolled during the first or second week of school must receive the school bus safety training or receive bus safety instruction materials by the end of the sixth week of school if they have not previously received school bus training. Students in grades K through 10 who enroll in a school after the second week of school, are transported by school bus, and have not received training in their previous school districts shall undergo school bus safety training or receive bus safety instructional materials within four weeks of their first day of attendance.
3. The Moorhead Area Public Schools and nonpublic schools with students transported by school bus at public expense must provide students enrolled in grades K through 3 school bus safety training twice during the school year.
4. Students taking driver's training instructional classes must receive training in the laws and proper procedures for operating a motor vehicle in the vicinity of a school bus as required by Minnesota Statutes 169.446, subdivision 2.
5. The Moorhead Area Public Schools and nonpublic schools with students transported by school bus at public expense must conduct a school bus evacuation drill at least once during the school year.
6. The Moorhead Area Public Schools will make reasonable accommodations in training for students known to speak English as a second language and students with disabilities.
7. The Moorhead Area Public Schools may provide kindergarten students with school bus safety training before the first day of school.
8. The Moorhead Area Public Schools may provide student safety education for bicycling and pedestrian safety for students in grades K through 6.
9. The Moorhead Area Public Schools shall adopt and make available for public review a curriculum for transportation safety education.
10. Nonpublic school students transported by the Moorhead Area Public Schools will receive school bus safety training by their nonpublic school. The nonpublic schools may use the school district's school safety education curriculum. Upon request by the Superintendent, the nonpublic school must certify to the school district's supervisor of transportation that all students enrolled in grades K through 10 have received the appropriate training.
III. CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR MISBEHAVIOR
A. Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right. The school district's general student behavior rules are in effect for all students on school buses, including nonpublic and charter school students. Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will be imposed by the school district under adopted administrative discipline procedures. In addition, all school bus/bus stop misconduct will be reported to the district's transportation safety director. Serious misconduct may be reported to local law enforcement.
1. School Bus and Bus Stop Rules. The school district school bus safety rules are to be posted on every bus. If these rules are broken, the school district's discipline procedures are to be followed. In most instances, consequences are progressive and may include suspension of bus privileges. It is the school bus driver's responsibility to report unacceptable behavior to the school district's Transportation Office and the school office.
2. Rules at the Bus Stop
a. Get to your bus stop five minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. The school bus driver will not wait for late students.
b. Respect the property of others while waiting at your bus stop.
c. Keep your arms, legs, and belongings to yourself.
d. Use appropriate language.
e. Stay away from the street, road, or highway when waiting for the bus.
f. Wait until the bus stops before approaching the bus.
g. After getting off the bus, move away from the bus.
h. If you must cross the street, always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Wait for the driver to signal to you before crossing the street.
i. No fighting, harassment, intimidation, or horseplay.
j. No use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
3. Rules on the Bus
a. Immediately follow the directions of the driver.
b. Sit in your seat facing forward.
c. Talk quietly and use appropriate language.
d. Keep all parts of your body and personal belongings inside the bus.
e. Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.
f. No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.
g. Do not throw any object.
h. No eating, drinking, or use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
i. Do not bring any weapons or dangerous objects on the school bus.
j. Do not damage the school bus.
4. Consequences
Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will apply to all routes. Decisions regarding a student's ability to ride the bus in connection with co-curricular and extra-curricular events (for example, field trips or competitions) will be in the sole discretion of the school district. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified of any suspension of bus privileges.
Consequences for school bus offenses are defined in Administrative Procedure 709.1 School Bus Code of Conduct
* Note: When a student goes 60 calendar days without a report, the student's consequences may start over at the first offense.
(1) Other Discipline
Based on the severity of a student's conduct, more serious consequences may be imposed at any time. Depending on the nature of the offense, consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school may also result from school bus/bus stop misconduct.
(2) Records
Records of school bus/bus stop misconduct will be forwarded to the individual school building and will be retained in the same manner as other student discipline records. Reports of student misbehavior on a school bus or in a bus-loading or unloading area that causes an immediate and substantial danger to the student or surrounding persons or property will be provided by the school district to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in accordance with state and federal law. Records may also be maintained in the transportation office.
(3) Vandalism/Bus Damage
Student damaging school buses will be responsible for the damages. Failure to pay such damages (or make arrangements to pay) within two weeks may result in loss of bus privileges until damages are paid.
(4) Notice
School bus and bus stop rules and consequences for violations of these rules will be reviewed with students annually and copies of these rules will be made available to students. School bus rules are to be posted on each school bus.
(5) Criminal Conduct
In cases involving criminal conduct (for example, assault, weapons possession, drug possession or vandalism), the appropriate school district personnel and local law enforcement officials will be informed.
IV. PARENT/GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT
A. Parent/Guardian Notification
The Moorhead Area Public Schools school bus and bus stop rules will be provided to each family. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are expected to review the rules with their children.
B. Parents/Guardians Responsibilities For Transportation Safety
Parents/guardians are responsible to:
1. become familiar with district rules, policies, regulations, and principles of school bus safety and thoroughly review them with their children;
2. support safe riding and walking practices, and recognize that students are responsible for their actions;
3. communicate safety concerns to their school administrators;
4. monitor bus stops, if possible;
5. have their children to the bus stop five minutes before the bus arrives;
6. have their children properly dressed for the weather; and
7. have a plan in case the bus is late.
V. SCHOOL BUS DRIVER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. School bus drivers shall have a valid Class A, B, or C Minnesota driver's license with a school bus endorsement. A person possessing a valid driver's license, without a school bus endorsement, may drive a type III vehicle set forth in Sections VII.B. and VII.C., below. Drivers with a valid Class D driver's license, without a school bus endorsement, may operate a "type A-I" school bus as set forth in Section VII.D., below.
B. The school district shall conduct mandatory drug and alcohol testing of all school district bus drivers and bus driver applicants in accordance with state and federal law and school district policy.
C. A school bus driver, with the exception of a driver operating a type A-1 school bus or type III vehicle, who has a commercial driver’s license and who is convicted of a criminal offense, a serious traffic violation, or of violating any other state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, in any type of motor vehicle in a state or jurisdiction other than Minnesota, shall notify the Minnesota Division of Driver and Vehicle Services (Division) of the conviction within 30 days of the conviction. For purposes of this paragraph, a “serious traffic violation” means a conviction of any of the following offenses:
1. excessive speeding, involving any single offense for any speed of 15 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit;
2. reckless driving;
3. improper or erratic traffic lane changes;
4. following the vehicle ahead too closely;
5. a violation of state or local law, relating to motor vehicle traffic control, arising in connection with a fatal accident; and
6. driving a commercial vehicle without obtaining a commercial driver’s license or without having a commercial driver’s license in the driver’s possession;
7. driving a commercial vehicle without the proper class of commercial driver's license and/or endorsements for the specific vehicle group being operated or for the passengers or type of cargo being transported;
8. a violation of a state or local law prohibiting texting while driving a commercial vehicle; and
9. a violation of a state or local law prohibiting the use of a hand-held mobile telephone while driving a commercial vehicle.
D. A school bus driver, with the exception of a driver operating a type A-1 school bus, who has a commercial driver’s license and who is convicted of violating, in any type of motor vehicle, a Minnesota state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, shall notify the person’s employer of the conviction within 30 days of conviction. The notification shall be in writing and shall contain all the information set forth in Attachment A accompanying this policy.
E. A school bus driver, with the exception of a driver operating a type A-1 school bus, who has a Minnesota commercial driver’s license suspended, revoked, or canceled by the state of Minnesota or any other state or jurisdiction and who loses the right to operate a commercial vehicle for any period or who is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for any period shall notify the person’s employer of the suspension, revocation, cancellation, lost privilege, or disqualification. Such notification shall be made before the end of the business day following the day the employee received notice of the suspension, revocation, cancellation, lost privilege, or disqualification. The notification shall be in writing and shall contain all the information set forth in Attachment B accompanying this policy.
F. A person who operates a type III vehicle and who sustains a conviction as described in Section VII.C.1.g. (i.e., driving while impaired offenses), VII.C.1.h. (i.e., felony, controlled substance, criminal sexual conduct offenses, or offenses for surreptitious observation, indecent exposure, use of minor in a sexual performance, or possession of child pornography or display of pornography to a minor), or VII.C.1.i. (multiple moving violations) while employed by the entity that owns, leases, or contracts for the school bus, shall report the conviction to the person’s employer within ten days of the date of the conviction. The notification shall be in writing and shall contain all the information set forth in Attachment C accompanying this policy.
VI. SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TRAINING
A. Training
1. All new school bus drivers shall be provided with pre-service training, including in-vehicle (actual driving) instruction, before transporting students and shall meet the competency testing specified in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Model School Bus Driver Training Manual. All school bus drivers shall receive in-service training annually. For purposes of this section, "annually" means at least once every 380 days from the initial or previous evaluation and at least once every 380 days from the initial or previous license verification. The school district shall retain on file an annual individual school bus driver "evaluation certification" form for each school district driver as contained in the Model School Bus Driver Training Manual.
2. All bus drivers operating a type III vehicle will be provided with annual training and certification as set forth in Section VII.C.1.b., below, by either the school district or the entity from whom such services are contracted by the school district.
B. Evaluation
School bus drivers with a Class D license will be evaluated annually and all other bus drivers will be assessed periodically for the following competencies:
1. safely operate the type of school bus the driver will be driving;
2. understand student behavior, including issues relating to students with disabilities;
3. ensure orderly conduct of students on the bus and handling incidents of misconduct appropriately;
4. know and understand relevant law, rules of the road, and local school bus safety policies;
5. handle emergency situations; and
6. safely load and unload students.
The evaluation must include completion of an individual "school bus driver evaluation form" (road test evaluation) as contained in the Model School Bus Driver Training Manual.
VII. OPERATING RULES AND PROCEDURES
A. General Operating Rules
1. School buses shall be operated in accordance with state traffic and school bus safety laws and the procedures contained in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Model School Bus Driver Training Manual.
2. Only students assigned to the school bus by the district shall be transported. The number of students or other authorized passengers transported in a school bus shall not be more than the legal capacity for the bus. No person shall be allowed to stand when the bus is in motion.
3. The parent(s)/guardian(s) may designate by a signed, written request a day care facility, respite care facility, the residence of a relative or the residence of a person chosen by the parent(s)/guardian(s) as the address of the student for transportation purposes. The address must be in the attendance area of the assigned school and meet other eligibility requirements.
4. Bus drivers must minimize, to the extent practical, the idling of school bus engines and exposure of children to diesel exhaust fumes.
5. To the extent practical, the school district will designate school bus loading/unloading zones at a sufficient distance from school air-intake systems to avoid diesel fumes from being drawn into the systems.
6. A bus driver may not operate a school bus while communicating over, or otherwise operating, a cellular phone for personal reasons, whether hand-held or hands-free, when the vehicle is in motion. For purposes of this paragraph, "school bus" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes section 169.011, subdivision 71. In addition, "school bus" also includes type III vehicles when driven by employees or agents of the school district. "Cellular phone" means a cellular, analog, wireless, or digital telephone capable of sending or receiving telephone or text messages without an access line for service.
B. Type III Vehicles
1. Type III vehicles are restricted to passenger cars, station wagons, vans, and buses having a maximum manufacturer's rated seating capacity of 10 or fewer people including the driver and a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. A van or bus converted to a seating capacity of 10 or fewer and placed in service on or after August 1, 1999, must have been originally manufactured to comply with the passenger safety standards.
2. Type III vehicles must be painted a color other than national school bus yellow.
3. Type III vehicles shall be state inspected in accordance with legal requirements.
4. A type III vehicle cannot be older than 12 years old unless excepted by state and federal law.
5. If a type III vehicle is school district-owned, the school district name will be clearly marked on the side of the vehicle. The type III vehicle must not have the words "school bus" in any location on the exterior of the vehicle or in any interior location visible to a motorist.
6. A "type III school vehicle" must not be outwardly equipped and identified as a Type A, B, C, or D bus.
7. Eight-lamp warning systems and stop arms must not be installed or used on type III vehicles.
8. Type III vehicles must be equipped with mirrors as required by law.
9. Any type III vehicle may not stop traffic and may not load or unload before making a complete stop and disengaging gears by shifting into neutral or park. Any type III vehicle used to transport students must not load or unload so that a student has to cross the road, except where not possible or impractical, then the driver or assistant must escort a student across the road. If the driver escorts the student across the road, then the motor must be stopped, the ignition key removed, the brakes set, and the vehicle otherwise rendered immobile.
10. Any type III vehicle used to transport students must carry emergency equipment including:
a. Fire extinguisher. A minimum of one 10BC-rated dry chemical type fire extinguisher is required. The extinguisher must be mounted in a bracket and must be located in the driver's compartment and be readily accessible to the driver and passengers. A pressure indicator is required and must be easily read without removing the extinguisher from its mounted position.
b. First aid kit and body fluids cleanup kit. A minimum of a ten-unit first aid kit and a body fluids cleanup kit is required. They must be contained in removable, moisture- and dust-proof containers mounted in an accessible place within the driver's compartment and must be marked to indicate their identity and location.
c. Passenger cars and station wagons may carry a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and warning triangles in the trunk or trunk area of the vehicle if a label in the driver and front passenger area clearly indicates the location of these items.
11. Students will not be regularly transported in private vehicles that are not state inspected as type III vehicles. Only emergency, unscheduled transportation may be conducted in vehicles with seating capacity of 10 or fewer without meeting the requirements for a type III vehicle. Also, parents may use a private vehicle to transport their own children under a contract with the district. The district has no system of inspection for private vehicles.
12. All drivers of type III vehicles will be licensed drivers and will be familiar with the use of required emergency equipment. The school district will not knowingly allow a person to operate a type III vehicle if the person has been convicted of an offense that disqualifies the person from operating a school bus.
13. Type III vehicles will be equipped with child passenger restraints, and child passenger restraints will be utilized to the extent required by law.
C. Type III Vehicle Driven by Employees with a Driver’s License Without a School Bus Endorsement
1. The holder of a Class A, B, C, or D driver’s license, without a school bus endorsement, may operate a type III vehicle, described above, under the following conditions:
a. The operator is an employee of the entity that owns, leases, or contracts for the school bus, which may include the school district.
b. The operator’s employer, which may include the school district, has adopted and implemented a policy that provides for annual training and certification of the operator in:
(1) safe operation of a type III vehicle;
(2) understanding student behavior, including issues relating to students with disabilities;
(3) encouraging orderly conduct of students on the bus and handling incidents of misconduct appropriately;
(4) knowing and understanding relevant laws, rules of the road, and local school bus safety policies;
(5) handling emergency situations;
(6) proper use of seat belts and child safety restraints;
(7) performance of pre-trip vehicle inspections;
(8) safe loading and unloading of students, including, but not limited to:
(a) utilizing a safe location for loading and unloading students at the curb, on the nontraffic side of the roadway, or at off-street loading areas, driveways, yards, and other areas to enable the student to avoid hazardous conditions;
(b) refraining from loading and unloading students in a vehicular traffic lane, on the shoulder, in a designated turn lane, or a lane adjacent to a designated turn lane;
(c) avoiding a loading or unloading location that would require a student to cross a road, or ensuring that the driver or an aide personally escort the student across the road if it is not reasonably feasible to avoid such a location;
(d) placing the type III vehicle in “park” during loading and unloading; and
(e) escorting a student across the road under clause (c) only after the motor is stopped, the ignition key is removed, the brakes are set, and the vehicle is otherwise rendered immobile; and
(9) compliance with paragraph V.F. concerning reporting convictions to the employer within ten days of the date of conviction.
c. A background check or background investigation of the operator has been conducted that meets the requirements under Minnesota Statutes section 122A.18, subdivision 8, or Minnesota Statutes section 123B.03 for school district employees; Minnesota Statutes 144.057 or Minnesota Statutes chapter 245C for day care employees; or Minnesota Statutes 171.321, subdivision Subd. 3, for all other persons operating a type III vehicle under this section.
d. Operators shall submit to a physical examination as required by Minnesota Statutes section 171.321, subdivision 2.
e. The operator’s employer requires preemployment drug testing of applicants for operator positions. Current operators must comply with the employer's policy under Minnesota Statutes section 181.951, subdivision 2, 4, and 5. The operator's employer may use a breathalyzer or similar device to fulfill random alcohol testing requirements unless prohibited by law.
f. The operator’s driver’s license is verified annually by the entity that owns, leases, or contracts for the type III vehicle as required by Minnesota Statutes section 171.321, subdivision 5.
g. A person who sustains a conviction, as defined under Minnesota Statutes section 609.02, of violating Minnesota Statutes section 169A.25, 169A.26, 169A.27 (driving while impaired offenses), or 169A.31 (alcohol-related school bus driver offenses), or whose driver’s license is revoked under Minnesota Statutes sections 169A.50 to 169A.53 of the implied consent law, or who is convicted of violating or whose driver’s license is revoked under a similar statute or ordinance of another state, is precluded from operating a type III vehicle for the district for five years from the date of conviction.
h. A person who has ever been convicted of a disqualifying offense as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 171.3215, subdivision 1(c), (i.e., felony, controlled substance, criminal sexual conduct offenses, or offenses for surreptitious observation, indecent exposure, use of minor in a sexual performance, or possession of child pornography or display of pornography to a minor) may not operate a type III vehicle for the district.
i. A person who sustains a conviction, as defined under Minnesota Statutes section 609.02, of a moving offense in violation of Minnesota Statutes chapter 169 within three years of the first of three other moving offenses is precluded from operating a type III vehicle for the district for one year from the date of the last conviction.
j. Students riding the type III vehicle must have training required under Minnesota Statutes section 123B.90, subdivision 2 (See Section II.B., above).
k. Documentation of meeting the requirements listed in this section must be maintained under separate file at the business location for each type III vehicle operator. The school district or any other entity that owns, leases, or contracts for the type III vehicle operating under this section is responsible for maintaining these files for inspection.
2. The type III vehicle must bear a current certificate of inspection issued under Minnesota Statutes section 169.451.
3. An employee of the school district who is not employed for the sole purpose of operating a type III vehicle may, in the discretion of the school district, be exempt from paragraphs VII.C.1.d. (physical examination) and VII.C.1.e. (drug and alcohol testing) above.
D. Type A-I “Activity” Buses Driven by Employees with a Driver’s License Without a School Bus Endorsement
1. The holder of a Class D driver’s license, without a school bus endorsement, may operate a type A-I school bus or a Multifunction School Activity Bus (MFSAB) under the following conditions:
a. The operator is an employee of the school district or an independent contractor with whom the school district contracts for the school bus and is not solely hired to provide transportation services under this paragraph.
b. The operator drives the school bus only from points of origin to points of destination, not including home-to-school trips to pick up or drop off students.
c. The operator is prohibited from using the 8-light system if the vehicle is so equipped.
d. The operator has submitted to a background check and physical examination as required by Minnesota Statutes section 171.321, subdivision 2.
e. The operator has a valid driver’s license and has not sustained a conviction of a disqualifying offense as set forth in Minnesota Statutes section 171.02, subdivision 2a(h) - 2a(j).
f. The operator has been trained in the proper use of child safety restraints as set forth in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Guideline for the Safe Transportation of Pre-school Age Children in School Buses,” if child safety restraints are used by passengers, in addition to the training required in Section VI., above.
g. The bus has a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,500 pounds or less and is designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver.
2. The school district shall maintain annual certification of the requirements listed in this section for each Class D license operator.
3. A school bus operated under this section must bear a current certificate of inspection.
4. The word “School” on the front and rear of the bus must be covered by a sign that reads “Activities” when the bus is being operated under authority of this section.
VIII. SCHOOL DISTRICT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
A. If possible, school bus drivers or their supervisors shall call "911" or the local emergency phone number in the event of a serious emergency.
B. School bus drivers shall meet the emergency training requirements contained in Unit III "Crash & Emergency Preparedness" of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Model School Bus Driver Training Manual. This includes procedures in the event of a crash (accident).
C. School bus drivers and bus assistants for special education students requiring special transportation service because of their handicapping condition shall be trained in basic first aid procedures, shall within one month after the effective date of assignment participate in a program of in-service training on the proper methods for dealing with the specific needs and problems of students with disabilities, assist students with disabilities on and off the bus when necessary for their safe ingress and egress from the bus; and ensure that protective safety devices are in use and fastened properly.
D. Emergency Health Information shall be maintained on the school bus for students requiring special transportation service because of their handicapping condition. The information shall state:
1. the student's name and address;
2. the nature of the student's disabilities;
3. emergency health care information; and
4. the names and telephone numbers of the student's physician, parent(s)/guardian(s), or custodians, and some person other than the student's parent(s)/guardian(s) or custodians who can be contacted in case of an emergency.
IX. SCHOOL DISTRICT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
A. All school vehicles and vehicles contracted to the school district shall be maintained in safe operating conditions through a systematic preventive maintenance and inspection program adopted or approved by the school district.
B. All school vehicles and vehicles contracted to the school district shall be inspected in accordance with legal requirements.
C. A copy of the current daily pre-trip inspection report must be carried in the bus. Daily pre-trip inspections shall be maintained on file in accordance with the school district's record retention schedule. Prompt reports of defects to be immediately corrected will be submitted.
D. Daily post-trip inspections shall be performed to check for any children or lost items remaining on the bus and for vandalism.
X. SCHOOL DISTRICT'S TRANSPORTATION SAFETY DIRECTOR
The Moorhead School Board designates the Supervisor of Transportation as the school district's Transportation Safety Director. The school district's Transportation Safety Director shall have day-to-day responsibility for student transportation safety, including transportation of nonpublic school children when provided by the school district. The school district's Transportation Safety Director will assure that this policy is periodically reviewed to ensure that it conforms to law. The school district's Transportation Safety Director shall certify annually to the School Board that each school bus driver meets the school bus driver training competencies required by Minnesota Statutes section 171.321, subdivision 4. The school district's Transportation Safety Director also shall annually verify and ensure that the private contractor utilized by the school has verified the validity of the driver's license of each employee who regularly transports students for the school district in a type A, B, C, or D school bus, type III vehicle, or MFSAB with the National Driver Register or the Department of Safety. Upon request of the Superintendent, the school district's Transportation Safety Director also shall certify to the Superintendent that students have received school bus safety training in accordance with state law. The name, address, and telephone number of the school district's Transportation Safety Director are on file in the school district office. Any questions regarding student transportation or this policy may be addressed to the school district's Transportation Safety Director. Refer to Administrative Procedures 720.1 School Bus Code of Conduct, 720.2: Special Education Transportation, 709.3: School Bus Stops, and 709.4: School Bus Trip K-12 Emergency Procedure.
XI. STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMITTEE
The School Board may establish a student transportation safety committee. Membership may include parents, school bus drivers, representatives of school bus companies, local law enforcement officials, other school district staff, and representatives from other units of local government. Moorhead Area Public Schools reviews transportation safety in the district health and safety committee.
Legal References:
Minn. Stat. 122A.18, Subd. 8 (Board to Issue Licenses)
Minn. Stat. 123B.03 (Background Check)
Minn. Stat. 123B.42 (Textbooks; Individual Instructor or Cooperative Learning Material; Standard Tests)
Minn. Stat. 123B.88 (Independent School Districts; Transportation)
Minn. Stat. 123B.885 (Diesel School Buses; Operation of Engine; Parking)
Minn. Stat. 123B.90 (School Bus Safety Training)
Minn. Stat. 123B.91 (School District Bus Safety Responsibilities)
Minn. Stat. 144.057 (Background Studies on Licensees and Other Personnel)
Minn. Stat. Ch. 169 (Traffic Regulations)
Minn. Stat. 169.011, Subds. 15 and 71 (Definitions)
Minn. Stat. 169.02 (Scope)
Minn. Stat. 169.443 (Safety of School Children; Bus Driver's Duties)
Minn. Stat. 169.446, Subd. 2 (Safety of School Children; Training and Education Rules)
Minn. Stat. 169.451 (Inspecting School and Head Start Buses; Rules; Misdemeanor)
Minn. Stat. 169.454 (Type III Vehicle Standards)
Minn. Stat. 169.4582 (Reportable Offense on School Buses)
Minn. Stat. 169A.25-169A.27 (Driving While Impaired)
Minn. Stat. 169A.31 (Alcohol-Related School Bus or Head Start Bus Driving)
Minn. Stat. 169A.50-169A.53 (Implied Consent Law)
Minn. Stat. 171.02, Subds. 2, 2a, and 2b (Licenses; Types, Endorsements, Restrictions)
Minn. State. 171.168 (Notice of Violation by Commercial Driver)
Minn. Stat. 171.169 (Notice of Commercial License Suspension)
Minn. Stat. 171.321 (Qualifications of a School Bus Driver and Type III Vehicle Drivers)
Minn. Stat. 171.3215, Subd. 1(c) (Canceling Bus Endorsement for Certain Offenses)
Minn. Stat. 181.951 (Authorized Drug and Alcohol Testing)
Minn. Stat. Ch. 245C (Human Services Background Studies)
Minn. Stat. 609.02 (Definitions)
Minn. Rules Parts 7470.1000-7470.1700 (School Bus Inspection)
49 C.F.R. 383.51 (Disqualification of Drivers)
49 C.F.R. 383.31 (Notification of Convictions for Driver Violations)
49 C.F.R. 383.33 (Notification of Driver's License Suspensions)
49 C.F.R. 383.5 (Transportation Definitions)
Cross References:
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 709 (Student Transportation Safety)
Moorhead School Board Policy 413: Employment Background Checks
Moorhead School Board Policy 420: Chemical Use and Abuse
Moorhead School Board Policy 421: Employee Drug and Alcohol Testing
Moorhead School Board Policy 504: Protection and Privacy of Student Records
Moorhead School Board Policy 551: Student Discipline
Moorhead School Board Policy 552: Corporal Punishment
Moorhead School Board Policy 572: Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School
Moorhead School Board Policy 608: Home Schooled Students
Moorhead School Board Policy 632: Field Trips