Proposed Policy Variable Transportation

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OCASC

February 19, 2015

Ottawa Student Transportation Authority 1645 Woodroffe Ave. Nepean, ON K2G 1W2 Tel: 613-224-8800 Fax: 613-224-8840

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Overview

• Bell Times

• Walk Zone Maps

• Eligibility Policy Update

• Variable Transportation Policy Consultation


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Bell Time Consultation

• Spring 2013 – Survey to Principals

• Fall 2013 – Survey to Principals, Superintendents, met with Trustees, City staff

• Winter 2014 – Proposed Bell Times Report

(2 drafts)

• Spring 2014 - Met with Mayor/City Councilors

• Feb 2014 – Newsletter to schools – general info

• March 2014 – Newsletter to schools – customized

• April – June 2014 – 25 public sessions, online survey


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Bell Time Approval Timeline

• 3 rd Draft November 2014 – 10min or less approved at OSTA

• Additional consultation from Nov 10 to Dec 1 2014

• 4 th Draft

• Jan 6 2015 – OCDSB Committee of the Whole (discussion)

• Jan 13 2015 – OCSB Trustees (discussion)

• 5 th Draft

• Jan 20 2015 – OCDSB Committee of the Whole (approval)

• Jan 27 2015 – OCDSB/OCSB Board of Trustees (final approval)

• Jan 29 2015 – Communication to school communities


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Walk Zone Maps (700) - Consultation

• First Draft – OSTA staff, school board staff, Trustees

• Second Draft – Posted online, Public Consultation

• Feedback Re-assessments completed

• Third (final) draft – posted online February 2015

• Summaries of actions taken and outcomes

• Last step - Appeals


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Communication of Changes to Schools/Parents

• First week February OSTA sent electronic/hardcopy newsletter customized for each school community re: bell time/map

• Colour poster-sized maps produced for each school

• OSTA Website updated

• Tweeted

• April/May – Letters to affected families

• May – Annual electronic newsletter re: Sept start up


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Eligibility Policy Updates

• Goals:

- reduce “exceptions”

- harmonize between OCDSB/OCSB

- enforce current OSTA and OCDSB policy

- clarify language and intent

Policy * Adherence * Enforcement

• No cross-boundary transportation


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Proposed Policy Variable Transportation

• Based on policies/procedures currently being used at other consortia with alterations to fit our environment

• Students in a joint custody arrangement with 2 homes

• Address(es) must be eligible for transportation and within school attendance boundary

• Concern for safety of the student

• Parents responsible to ensure transportation schedule managed

• Parents assess their child’s ability to manage schedule and self-advocate


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• Joint application by both parents

• Submitted with transportation schedule

• Only 3 types of parenting access schedules will be accepted and must be consistent 5 days per week/bi-weekly

• Example:

•2-2-3 consistent (No 2-2-3 alternating)

•5-5-2

•7-7


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• School feedback on safety risks and operational impacts

• OSTA selects mode – yellow, van, OC Transpo

• Students with special needs must still work with

Student learning Support Services to identify transportation needs


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• OSTA assessment and approval or denial communicated to applicants

• Deadline for applications for Sept = June 15 (June 1?)

• Late applications (June 15 to Sept 15)get reviewed after

September 15 (prior to empty seat deadline Oct 1)

• Others throughout the year


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• Any changes require new application

• Changes in custody status identified by either parent results in suspension/cancellation of variable transportation, revert to address on file at the Board for transportation eligibility – until sorted out by parents


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• www.ottawaschoolbus.ca

• Review policy and FAQ prior to survey

• www.surveymonkey.com/r/variabletransportation


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Q&A.


Proposed Policy Variable Transportation

OCASC

Overview

Bell Time Consultation

Bell Time Approval Timeline

Walk Zone Maps (700) - Consultation