CHAPTER 8.00 - AUXILIARY SERVICES

8.15 Bus Routes

POLICY:

(1) Designation of Bus Routes. The School Board, after considering the Superintendent’s recommendation, shall designate the route to be traveled regularly by each school bus. Each such route shall meet the following requirements: 

(a) The route shall be planned, scheduled, and adjusted to the capacity of the bus to serve students whose homes are beyond a reasonable working distance from the school center to which they are assigned, except as otherwise provided by Florida Statutes and State Board of Education rules. The routing and scheduling of buses shall be planned to eliminate the necessity for students to stand while the bus is in motion. In emergency situations where the number of transported students in a bus exceeds the rated seating capacity, the bus shall proceed at such a reduced rate of speed to maximize students’ safety. 

(b) School bus routes which are designated by the School Board shall be restricted to those areas where road conditions, bridge capacities, and the number of transported students allow such service to be economically feasible and practicable.

(c) A route shall not be extended for the purpose of accommodating students whose homes are within a reasonable walking distance by a shorter or more economical route which is available to serve the students. 

(d) School bus routes shall, insofar as possible, be restricted to main routes and county-maintained roads. 

(e) A suitable turning area shall be available for any route requiring a bus to be turned around. 

(f) Only one (1) bus shall be assigned students on any given route unless the school schedules necessitate a dual assignment of buses. 

(g) Student loading and unloading stops shall be established at least one quarter of a mile (1,320 feet) apart; provided, however, stops may be closer than one quarter of a mile when students’ safety and welfare is involved. 

(2) Spur Routes. A spur route shall exist only when an extremely hazardous condition is present, requiring the bus to deviate from the main trunk. 

(3) Change in Routes. School bus operators shall not discontinue stops, begin new stops, or otherwise change a route without prior approval of the Superintendent or designee. 

(4) Other Provisions. Students who are approved to attend a District school which is not located in their assigned attendance area shall be ineligible for transportation provided by the School Board except as permitted by the School Board Rule entitled, “Student Transportation” (8.13). 

STATUTORY AUTHORITY : 1001.42, F.S. 

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: 947.1405; 1001.21; 1006.21, F.S. 

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION RULE: 6A-3.017 

HISTORY: Adopted: January 14, 1999 

Revision Date(s): October 9, 2001; August 14, 2007 

Formerly: