USE OF GLEAMNS HS/EHS SCHOOL BUSES (Proposed)
REGULATION REFERENCE:
Head Start Performance Standards 1310.10 (c), (d) (1-4); 1311; 1310.13 (a-c); 1310.15 (a-d);
1310.20 (a) (b) (1-7)
POLICY:
GLEAMNS Transportation Department and all persons driving school buses must ensure
compliance with all regulations outlined in Part 1310 for the safe operation of the vehicles used
to transport Head Start and Early Head Start children.
PROCEDURE:
1. The Transportation Department will ensure that the vehicles used in providing
transportation services are equipped with a communication system, a fully charged fire
extinguisher properly mounted, a first aid kit and a seat belt cutter. Each item will have a
sign indicating its location.
2. The transportation Department will ensure that vehicles used in transportation services
for all Head Start children are equipped with height and weight appropriate child safety
restraints systems. For Early Head Start (EHS) children, the EHS Manager will ensure
that Infant and Combination Booster seats are purchased for all EHS children.
3. The Transportation Department will ensure that each vehicle used in providing
transportation services receives a thorough safety inspection on an annual basis through
an inspection program licensed or operated by the state. It will also, with the assistance
of the bus drivers, implement a preventive maintenance schedule on each vehicle.
a. The bus driver clean the bus interior daily, and in cooperation with the bus
monitor (s), sanitize interior of the bus weekly in accordance with scheduled
needs of the center.
4. The bus drivers will conduct daily pre-trip inspections on the each bus. Any maintenance
or repair problems found during the pre-trip inspection will be reported immediately to
the Center Coordinator and the Transportation Specialist for the area. GLEAMNS school
buses will not leave the center to pick up children without the bus driver conducting the
proper pre-trip inspection on the bus.
5. The bus driver will report immediately to their supervisor and Transportation
Department, any traffic violation, accidents or incidents with a school bus. The bus
driver will complete GLEAMNS Accident/Incident Report.
6. The Case Worker will ensure that there is an emergency card for each child transported
on the bus and the Center Coordinator will ensure that there is an emergency card for the
bus driver and bus monitors assigned to each bus. This emergency information is
confidential and should be handled as such.
7. The bus driver will ensure that the bus monitor completes the Transportation Attendance
Log daily.
8. The bus driver will ensure that baggage and other items transported in the passenger
compartment are properly stored and secured. Nothing should be loose or unsecured in
the passenger compartment.
9. The bus driver will ensure that the aisles remain clear and the doors and emergency exits
remain unobstructed at all times.
10. For Head Start buses there will be at least one bus monitor on board at all times with
additional bus monitors provided as necessary. For Early Head Start buses, there will be
at least two bus monitors at all times with additional bus monitors provided as necessary
to maintain child to adult ratios.
11. Except for the bus monitors when assisting children, all vehicle occupants must be seated
and wearing height and weight appropriate safety restraints while the vehicle is in
motion.
12. The safety of the children being transported is the primary concern of this Agency,
therefore all staff involved will:
a. Plan, develop and adhere to a fixed bus route for the pickup and drop off of
children. Under no circumstances should any bus driver deviate from the fixed
route unless there are hazardous conditions that could affect the safety of the
children being transported. An alternate bus route must be established in the
case of hazardous conditions, such as ice or water build up, natural gas line breaks
or emergency road closing.
b. The written fixed bus route should specific and identify all road turns, right or
left, and stops. The name of the roads should be clearly stated and when stopping
to pick up a child, the complete address will be listed.
c. The bus route must not exceed an hour unless there is no shorter route available or
any alternative shorter route is either unsafe or impractical. If the bus route
exceeds an hour, there must be written documentation of the efforts made to
reduce the route and prior to implementing the bus route, approval must be given
by the Transportation Department.
d. GLEAMNS Head Start and Early head Start buses will not be loaded beyond the
maximum passenger capacity at any time.
e. GLEAMNS Head Start and Early head Start buses must not be required to back
up or make a “U” turn, except for reason of safety or because of physical barriers.
f. Stops must be located to minimize traffic interruptions and afford the bus driver a
good field of view in front of and behind the bus. The maximum time the bus is
allowed to stop for a pickup or to drop off a child is three minutes.
g. To all extent possible, stops must be located to eliminate the need for children to
cross the street or highway to board or leave the bus. If children must cross the
street before boarding or after leaving the bus because of curbside drop off or pick
is possible, they must be escorted across the street by a bus monitor or another
adult.
Disciplinary Action(s)
First Offense – Suspension
Second Offense – Termination