Policy No.	6630
	Adoption Date:	July 11, 1984
	Revised:	April 15, 1998

MANAGEMENT SUPPORT DRIVER TRAINING AND RESPONSIBILITY

Bus operators shall observe all state statutes and administrative rules governing traffic safety and school bus operation. The district shall, at the beginning of each school year, provide each driver with a copy of the School Bus Driver Handbook (SPI), any additional laws and/or rules which have been recently enacted and which apply to school bus drivers, and the district's written rules for student conduct on buses.

Each bus driver must have a type 1 school bus driver's authorization issued by the superintendent of public instruction, a passenger endorsement and either a Class B or C commercial driver's license. The bus driver shall also hold a valid and current first aid card. An air braked endorsement is required for a driver who is assigned to a bus with air brakes. A bus driver is required to pass a Department of Transportation and a Superintendent of Public Instruction physical examination every two years.

Any district employee, other than a bus driver, who transports students for school activities in a district or private vehicle must comply with previous Type 2 school activities driver's authorization requirements, have a valid driver's license issued by the state department of licensing and have a valid and current first aid card. Holders of Type 2 authorizations may only operate vehicles with seating capacity of ten or less and may not drive students on scheduled routes between home and school. Authorization is not necessary for persons transporting students in an emergency affecting health and/or safety.

In addition, for any employees whose job assignment or supplemental contract requires the regularly scheduled transportation of students in vehicles with seating capacities of ten or fewer, the district shall obtain a certified abstract of the driving record of the employee before the employee transports students. Prior authorization is not necessary for persons transporting students in an emergency affecting health and/or safety.

When a teacher, coach or other certificated staff member is assigned to accompany students on a bus, such person shall be primarily responsible for the behavior of the students in his/her charge. The bus driver shall have final authority and responsibility.

When the district utilizes charter buses or excursion carriers, the driver shall not have unsupervised access to children and children shall be supervised by a responsible employee of the district. Every contract between a school district and charter bus or excursion carrier shall contain a carrier profile from the Washington utilities and transportation commission.

Legal References:

RCW	28A.160.210	School bus drivers, training and qualifications-Rules and regulations for
	46.25	Uniform Commercial Drivers Act
WAC	180-20	School Transportation
	392-145-015	General operating regulations
	392-145-020 through 030	Rules for school bus drivers; Rules for students riding school buses