FILE:  EDC

Cf:  EBCB

 

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PROGRAM

 

 

The Bossier Parish School Board recognizes the responsibility of school bus operators and the need for bus operators to practice extreme caution in transporting children to and from school.  Therefore, the School Board shall require the implementation, maintenance, and observance of a transportation safety program.

 

VIDEO EQUIPMENT ON SCHOOL BUSES

 

As a means to help ensure safety and proper conduct on School Board owned and/or contracted school buses, it shall be the policy of the School Board that video surveillance equipment be allowed and/or required when such equipment is requested and approved by the Supervisor of Transportation, and operated under rules and regulations established by the Superintendent.

 

The purchase and installation of such equipment shall be the responsibility of the School Board for School Board owned buses, or of the contract operators for their buses.  Ownership of the equipment, including the housing thereof, shall remain with the School Board or contract operator. 

 

Strict adherence to laws and rules of confidentiality shall be maintained in the viewing of tapes and use of equipment to assure compliance with laws and regulations regarding the privacy rights of students and employees.

 

USE OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES

 

The School Board may authorize the issuance of cellular telephones to all bus operators. However, no person shall engage in a call on a cellular telephone or similar device while driving a school bus.  The use of cellular telephones by school bus operators may be authorized in an emergency situation involving:

 

  1. An emergency system response operator, 911 safety dispatcher, or school administrator;

  2. A hospital or emergency room;

  3. A physician’s office or health clinic;

  4. An ambulance or fire department rescue service;

  5. A fire department, fire protection district, or volunteer fire department;

  6. A law enforcement agency.

 

DAILY TRIP INSPECTIONS

 

Before beginning, during, and after completing each assigned route, trip, or individual run daily, the bus operator shall conduct pre-trip, en route, and post-trip inspections of the vehicle and its special equipment to check for passengers, special equipment, medication, etc. that may have been left on the bus.  Before the operator exits the bus after any trip or individual run, the operator shall immediately perform a post-trip inspection of the interior of the bus for children or other passengers that may have remained on the bus.  The operator shall employ any means necessary to check for children who may be under seats.  The operator shall also check for damage to seats, and articles left on the bus.  Failure to check for children left on the bus and failure to post the appropriate “EMPTY” sign in the rear window may result in discipline of the operator, up to and including termination. 

 

Revised:  September, 2010

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 32:289, 32:398, 32:871

Louisiana School Transportation Specifications and Procedures, Bulletin 119, §701, §909, §2903, Louisiana Department of Education

 

Bossier Parish School Board