3801 - Contracted Bus Service

3801

Non Instructional

Contracted Bus Service

School bus transportation shall be provided by contracted carriers for all pupils who qualify for such service, in accordance with Board Policy 3541 Transportation, except in those instances wherein the services may be provided more economically by other means.

Subject to the Board of Education review and approval, the Superintendent is authorized to negotiate contracts for public school transportation. The Board Attorney shall review the contracts for legal sufficiency. See Board of Education Policy 3324 “Purchasing.”

Contractors

All contractors transporting students are required to have adequate insurance coverage as defined in Section 14-29 of the Connecticut Motor Vehicle Law, with a certificate of insurance on file in the Business Office of the Board of Education.

The Board of Education requires from the transportation contractor that all registered school buses while transporting children shall be operated by holders of valid public service operators’ licenses issued in accordance with section 14-44.

All contractors are required to comply with sections 14-275 and 14-281` of the Connecticut Motor Vehicle Laws, inclusive, for the transporting of pupils and licensing of bus operators. On or after July 1, 2019, contractors shall ensure that their school bus drivers meet statutory requirements for training related to the identification of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, the administration of epinephrine by a cartridge injector, the notification of emergency personnel, and the reporting of an incident involving a student and a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Use of Privately-owned Vehicles

Where private transportation to a vocational-technical school is used and this eliminates the need for Board contracted transportation, the Board will reimburse the student for such private transportation up to $800 annually. Reimbursement for private transportation will not be made if the Board provides transportation to such schools.

Student Drivers

Students are never to be used by the school system as drivers to transport local pupils on field trips, excursions, or to and from athletic activities.

References:

Section 10-220-221 and PA 82-133 Vocational School Transportation

Section 14-29 Insurance

Section 14-44 and P 81-256 Driver Licenses

Section 14-275 and 14-281a Motor Vehicles

PA 81-182 Bus Inspections

Board of Education Policy 3541 “Transportation”

Adopted: December 1982

Revised: October 2003, April 2020