EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

D. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT Students who require a wheelchair for transportation must be in an approved wheelchair. Wheelchairs must have properly maintained and functioning brakes, tires in good repair, and have functional and secure seat belts and bodily restraints if necessary. Electric wheelchairs must have spill-proof batteries. It is the responsibility of the parent to maintain functioning brakes and seat belts, at a minimum, for any student requiring a wheelchair. Bus drivers will establish the safety of a student’s equipment (brakes, seat belt) and may determine that the student is unsafe to be transported. Driver shall notify Dispatch of the safety issue and Dispatch will notify parent their student is unable to be transported due to the safety concerns. E. SEIZURES From time to time drivers may have to drive students who are prone to seizures. Contact Dispatch immediately. Dispatch will give you further direction. Keep an accurate time of the seizure. Notify Dispatch when the seizure has stopped. F. SPECIAL NEEDS PROCEDURES 1. Do not give or sell students beverages, candy, gum or other food items as rewards for good behavior. Many special needs students have food allergies you may not be aware of and this could become a life threatening issue. 2. Drivers and Bus Aides shall refrain from eating while driving. Drivers and Bus Aides may drink when the bus is not in motion; however, any beverage must be in a PLASTIC OR METAL container with a spill-proof lid. NO paper or Styrofoam cups are allowed in the bus. No drinks of any kind may be stored or placed upon the dash of the bus. 3. ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING on or around special needs buses at any time. G. SPECIAL NEEDS BUS STOPS All special needs students are to be dropped off only at their designated stops and only to a designated adult unless it is noted on the route sheet that the student is release-to self. No student shall be released from a bus unless a release-to-self form is on file in the Dispatch office or directed to do so by Dispatch. Under no circumstances shall the door of the bus be opened for a stranger or a student released to an unauthorized adult. 2. PROBLEM AT STOP: If a student’s equipment is not working properly and it is the opinion of the driver that the student cannot be transported safely, the driver shall inform the parent of the problem. If the problem cannot be resolved, the driver shall request direction from Dispatch. The appropriate Supervisory staff member will make the decision regarding transportation of the student. 3. ILL STUDENT: If a student is ill or suspected to be ill, Dispatch shall be contacted for further instructions. H. TRANSPORTATION RELEASE INFORMATION FORM 1. IF A STUDENT DOES NOT HAVE A SIGNED TRANSPORTATION RELEASE INFORMATION FORM ON FILE, THE STUDENT IS NOT TO BE LET OFF THE BUS FOR ANY REASON. THE DRIVER MUST CALL DISPATCH IMMEDIATELY AND DISPATCH WILL GIVE YOU FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS STUDENT. 1. NO ONE AT HOME: If no one is home to receive a student, the student shall be kept on the bus and Dispatch called for further instructions.

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Revised 8/14/2024