The District shall provide free transportation for all students in the District: (1) residing at a distance of one and one-half miles or more from their assigned schools, unless the Board has certified to the Illinois State Board of Education that adequate public transportation is available, or (2) residing within one and one-half miles from their assigned schools where walking to school or to a pick-up point or bus stop would constitute a serious hazard due to vehicular traffic or rail crossing, and adequate public transportation is not available.  A student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) may file a petition with the School Board requesting transportation due to the existence of a serious safety hazard.  Free transportation services and vehicle adaptation for special education students shall be provided if included in the students’ individualized educational programs.  The District may provide transportation to and from school-sponsored activities.  Non-public school students shall be transported in accordance with State law.  Homeless students shall be transported in accordance with the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act.

Bus schedules and routes shall be determined by the Superintendent and shall be altered only with the Superintendent’s approval and direction.  In fixing the routes, the pick-up and discharge points should be as safe and convenient for students as possible.
No school employee may transport students in school or private vehicles unless authorized by the administration.

Every vehicle regularly used for the transportation of students must pass safety inspections in accordance with State law and Illinois Department of Transportation regulations. The strobe light on a school bus may be illuminated any time a bus is bearing one or more students.  The Superintendent shall implement procedures in accordance with State law for accepting erratic driving reports.

All contracts for charter bus services must contain the clause prescribed by State law regarding criminal background checks for bus drivers.

Post-Trip Vehicle Inspection

The Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement a post-trip inspection procedure to ensure that the school bus driver is the last person leaving the bus and that no passenger is left behind or remains on the vehicle at the end of a route, work shirt, or work day.