FAQ's
Transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who administers this program?
The Transportation Manager administers the program and is located at 361 13th St. NW. To contact the Transportation Manager call 507-775-2423 or email val.lindahl@byron.k12.mn.us
2. Who do I call if my student lost something on the bus?
Val Lindahl, Transportation Manager at 507-775-2423 or email val.lindahl@byron.k12.mn.us
3. How far do I have to live from school before the school district is required to transport them?
By statute school districts are required to transport students living more than 2 miles from school. In Byron, students in grades K-5 living more than .3 miles, grades 6-8 living more than 1.25 miles and 9-12 living more than 2 miles are provided transportation.
4. Is the school district required to transport children who live less than 2 miles from school if there is a hazard between the home and the school?
No. A school district may transport children who would encounter an extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazard if they walked, but the school district is not required to provide transportation. In Byron, the district provides adult crossing guards at 4th St NE & 8th AVE NE.
5. Who determines what conditions are extraordinary traffic, drug or crime hazards?
The school district would determine what conditions would be considered hazardous.
6. Who decided that families residing within two miles of school might be required to pay a fee for bus service?
The 2001 legislature decided that local school districts must provide free transportation for all students residing more than two miles from school. The law enables a school board to provide transportation to students within the two-mile boundary without charge, or, to charge a fee. If a fee is charged, the local school board is responsible to determine the amount of the fee. In 2018 the Byron School Board voted to approve a new transportation fee for a student residing within two miles of school to help subsidize the cost of continuing to provide this service.
7. How does the district measure the distance between a child’s home and the school?
The distance is generated from property entrance to property entrance using the shortest path taking into account walk paths etc. from our transportation manager.
8. How far can a school district require a child to walk to a bus stop?
There is nothing in law or rule about the distance between the child’s home and the bus stop. This is true for all grade levels. Visibility of a bus stop from the child’s home is not a deciding factor for bus stops. Most bus stops are at intersections.
9. Is there a law or rule that limits the amount of time a child can spend on the school bus?
There is nothing in state law or rule that set a maximum amount of time a child can spend on the school bus. Local school districts may adopt a maximum time in their school board’s transportation policy. In Byron, our goal is to keep rides as close to one hour as possible, but students in outlying areas do have rides longer than one hour.
10. Can my child lose his/her bus riding privileges?
Yes. In Minnesota, riding a school bus is a privilege and not a right. Each local school district has adopted rules of conduct for waiting at the bus stop and for riding the school bus. If your child does not follow the rules, your child could lose his/her bus riding privileges for the entire school year. Please note that when school bus routing is mailed, there is an enclosed sheet that discusses the discipline policy in more detail.
11. Will my child receive school bus safety training at school?
Yes. Children in grades K-10 must receive school bus safety training during the first few weeks of school. It is recommended that parents review the school bus safety rules with younger children throughout the school year.
12. Are there any laws and rules that limit the passenger seating on a school bus?
Yes. The number of children on the school bus cannot be more than the number of passengers that can be fully seated. The seating capacity must be adjusted according to each passenger’s physical size but cannot be more than the manufacturer’s rated seating capacity for the bus. No child is allowed to stand while the bus is in motion.
13. I am open enrolling my child into Byron. What are the responsibilities of the enrolling district regarding transportation?
The enrolling district has the obligation to transport from the district line. In Byron, a safe location as close to the district line as possible is designated for the bus stop.
14. I want my child to be transported based on a daycare. Does the district have to provide transportation?
The district will provide transportation to and from a daycare as long as the daycare address meets the same requirements as your home address. The daycare must be in the attendance area of the school attending and meet the distance requirements. Also, transportation to and from daycare must be consistent meaning that the pickup and drop off point must be the same every day.
15. I would like my child to ride the bus home with a friend. How can I arrange this?
Students are to ride their assigned bus only due to space issues and student tracking. If you are called out of town on an emergency a temporary care form can be filled out. This will be honored if there is a bus in the area and there is room on the bus.
16. My child doesn’t qualify for busing. Can I pay for transportation?
Yes. There is an opportunity for families to pay for transportation. There is information regarding Pay To Ride here.
17. Is this a tax-deductible expense?
Transportation expenses may qualify under the state education subtraction and credit rules. Contact your tax preparer to learn if your family qualifies. Receipts will be furnished at parent’s request.