6630 - Driver Training and Responsibility

BOARD POLICY No. 6630

DRIVER TRAINING AND RESPONSIBILITY

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, provide each driver with a copy of the School Bus Driver Handbook (SPI), any additional laws and/or rules which have been recently enacted and which apply to school bus drivers, and the district's written rules for bus drivers and student conduct on buses.

Each bus driver must have a Type I school bus driver's authorization issued by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a passenger endorsement and either a Class B or C commercial driver's license. The bus driver shall also hold a valid and current first aid card. An air- brake endorsement is required for a driver who is assigned to a bus with air brakes. A bus driver is required to pass a Department of Transportation and a Superintendent of Public Instruction physical examination every two years.

Any district employee, other than a bus driver, who transports students for school activities in a district vehicle must have a Type II authorization issued by the district transportation director. Such drivers may only operate vehicles with seating capacity of ten or less and may not drive students on scheduled routes between home and school.
When a teacher, coach or other designated chaperone is assigned to accom pany students on a bus, such person shall be primarily responsible for the behavior of the students in his/her charge. The bus driver shall have final authority and responsibility.

When the district utilizes charter buses or excursion carriers, the driver shall not have unsupervised access to students and a responsible employee of the district shall supervise the students. Every contract between a school district and charter bus or excursion carrier shall contain a carrier profile from the Washington utilities and transportation commission.

  
First Reading: February 19, 2002

Adopted by the Board: July 16, 2002