Unless students require special transportation because of their needs, disability, or location of the program, they either walk or are placed on regular buses, which integrate them with the general student population. Many special needs students ride the larger buses which, because of their larger loads and more frequent runs, usually transport students from centralized bus stops, which are placed at safe locations within neighborhoods.

Transportation accommodations for special needs students are made for students with individualized education programs (IEP) documenting required needs. The size and type of vehicle in which the accommodations will be made will be determined by the Office of Transportation Services. School bus safety standards are always followed.

It shall be the responsibility of the Special Transportation Office to make every effort to arrange transportation as quickly as possible. It takes an average of three working days. Keep in mind:

• An address change may require a bus change. Parents are to notify the child’s attending school. If you move into a different school attendance area, the student’s needs will be reassessed, a school site and transportation change may be necessary.
• For student safety and security, bus routes can only allow for one address for the pick up and one for the drop-off, five days a week.
• Special bus routes vary in time according to the needs of the student’s riding. Time changes may occur through out the year, as students are added or deleted to bus routes.
• A bus change may be necessary if your child’s needs change to require a wheelchair or other special equipment. Contact the school immediately.
• For a student who has a level of functioning that results in the need for supervision between the bus and final destination, this need will require the student to be met at the bus door by the individual providing the supervision.

Medical and Health

If a child becomes ill at school, has a fever, is experiencing a seizure, vomits, etc., parents are asked to pick the child up from school. The school will alert parents in ample time so arrangements can be made for the parent to pick up the ill student from school. This will assure the safety, health, and welfare of your child and other students.

Transportation will not transport medication to or from school. The transportation office is unable to transport equipment or wheelchairs when the student does not ride the bus except in special or emergency circumstances. Permission must be obtained from the transportation office with a request from the school.

If your child is in a wheelchair, please be sure that the brake-locking feature is in good operating order. All wheelchairs must have a seat belt attached to the frame of the chair and must be properly secured around the student. Trays will be removed and stored during transit. Electric wheelchairs must have batteries securely fastened to avoid turning over and to prevent battery acid from escaping. Batteries should be fully charged.