JJH-R: STUDENT TRAVEL REGULATIONS
1. Transportation
The use of vans or private automobiles for trips planned to include late night or overnight student travel is prohibited. Late night or overnight trips will use commercial motor coaches.
Trips planned to include late night or overnight student travel will include a pre-trip check of companies, drivers, and vehicles. CORI checks will be conducted in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, section 38R.
The Superintendent or designee will ensure that the selected carrier is licensed for passenger transportation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The district will not contract with any carrier that has a safety rating of “conditional” or “unsatisfactory”. FMCSA ratings are available at http://www.safersys.org/.
The contract with the carrier will prohibit the use of subcontractors unless sufficient notice is given to the district that allows verification of the subcontractor’s qualifications.
2. Trip Scheduling
Overnight accommodations should be made in advance with student safety and security in mind. Whenever possible, trip schedulers should avoid planning student travel between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m., due to the increased risk of vehicular accidents during this time period.
Whenever possible, overnight trips should be scheduled on weekends or during school vacations to minimize lost classroom time. Non-academic field trips are considered “optional school programs” and do not count toward meeting structured learning time requirements. (Refer to the Massachusetts Department of Education publication Student Learning Time Regulations Guide)
Trip itineraries must leave enough time for drivers to rest in conformity with federal hour-of-service requirements and common sense.
Trip scheduling should take into account the likelihood of delays due to weather, traffic, stragglers, and other unanticipated factors.
If substantially all members of a class are participating in a trip, the school should provide appropriate substitute activities for any students not participating.
3. Fundraising
The amount of time to be devoted to fundraising should be reasonable and commensurate with students’ obligations for homework, after-school activities, and jobs.
Group fundraising activities are preferred. Students should not be assigned individual fundraising targets.
If students are charged individual fees for participation, every effort should be made to provide scholarships where needed.
Additional Resources
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
http://www.fmcsa.gov
United Motorcoach Association – Student Motorcoach Travel Safety Guide (includes “Motorcoach Safety Checklist)
http://www.uma.org/consumerhelp/studentguide.asp
Department of Defense’s approved list or motor carriers
http://www.mtmc.army.mil/content/504/approvedlist.pdf
SOURCE: MASC
CROSS REFS.: IJOA, Field Trips
LEGAL REFS.: Chapter 346 of the Acts of 2002 (et al) approved on October 9, 2002
M.G.L. 69:1B; 71:37N; 71:38R
603 CMR 27.00
Adopted on: April 10, 2008