CAVERNA INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
PUPIL TRANSPORTATION
DEPARTMENT
ADMININISTRATIVE POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES
Committed to the safety of our children
Final- April 15 , 2015
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MISSION STATEMENT___________________________
It is the mission of the Caverna Transportation Department to provide sound
transportation practices in order to maximize all available resources and to
effectively utilize these resources in a collaborative, learner-centered,
performance-based and data-driven manner so that the district can provide an
environment that is safe and conducive to teaching and learning.
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____________________________CONTENTS____________________________
Mission Statement ........................................................................................................... 2
Contents………………………………………………………………………………………….3
Directory .......................................................................................................................... 4
Definitions .................................................................................................................... 5-7
Employee Seniority ......................................................................................................... 8
Department Staffing ........................................................................................................ 8
Driver Assignments ......................................................................................................... 9
Route/Job Vacancies .............................................................................................. .10-11
Bus Assignments and Parking ...................................................................................... 11
Bus Monitors ................................................................................................................. 11
Special Education Transportation ................................................................................. 11
Employee Pay .......................................................................................................... 12-13
Holidays/Vacations/Leaves ........................................................................................... 13
Grievances ............................................................................................................... 14-15
Other or Outside Employment ....................................................................................... 16
Driver Responsibilities .............................................................................................. 16-25
District Responsibilities ............................................................................................ 25-26
Anti-Idling Policy ............................................................................................................ 27
Use of Personal Communication Devices .................................................................... 28
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DIRECTORY
Mr. Eddie Wilson, Director of Transportation
Cell 270-473-1260, Radio “C1”
Central Office
270-773-2530, Radio “Base”
Mr. David Forbes, Bus Maintenance
Work: 270-786-1714, Radio “Shop”
Transportation Department
270-773-2530 extension 1013
Caverna Independent Schools
School
Caverna Elementary
Caverna Middle
Caverna High
Principal
Nathan Wyatt
Barry Nesbitt
Brad Phipps
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School Phone
270-773-3671
270- 773-4665
270- 773-2828
PUPIL TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
The safe transportation of students and personnel within the Caverna Independent
School District is the Pupil Transportation Department's primary objective and
challenge.
It is the intent of the Caverna Board of Education to provide drivers with the same
income and responsibilities as the previous year. However, changes in the
department's organizational structure, route demands, and student population may
dictate corresponding changes in personnel and other departmental resources.
DEFINITIONS:
Bidding
The process by which an employee declares, in writing, his/her
desire to assume the responsibilities of an available route/job
vacancy.
Break in Service
An interruption in an employee's employment status with the
school district.
Bus Monitor
A bus assistant who accompanies the bus driver on selected
routes that transport select Special Education and/or Preschool
students.
Displaced or
reassigned drivers
A driver who has lost his/her assigned route(s) due to the
process of route elimination, reduction in force or disciplinary
reasons.
Driver
An employee within the Pupil Transportation Department who
has:
 Completed the requisite training (initial and/or annual
update),
 Attained the mandated Commercial Drivers License (CDL),
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
Extra-curricular trips
(field trips)
Received a certificate of acceptance from a Board
approved physician who certifies the employee as being
physically and emotionally qualified to drive a school bus,
and
Signed the official School Bus Driver contract of
employment as offered by the Board of Education
School-related activities that require students to be transported
away from the school site for the purpose of participation in
educational or cultural experiences, or to various approved
competitions or events.
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Full-time driver
Drivers who are guaranteed at least 20 hours of work per
week, who are eligible for full employee benefits, and who are
assigned regular routes.
Hire-in date
In relation to the establishment of seniority within the Pupil
Transportation department, the hire-in date is to be the date on
which the employee officially becomes a full-time employee as
a transportation worker or bus driver. Substitute bus drivers
are not considered full-time employees.
Medically fragile
students
Those students whose medical condition requires special
accommodations and special training while being transported.
Examples include students with:
 Feeding tube
 Tracheotomy
 Brittle bones
 Catheterization
 Grand mal seizure activity
Non-Traditional
Routes
A non-traditional route is one that is developed and bid as a
separate route from a driver contracted route.
Overtime
Overtime is considered as time worked beyond an
accumulated 40 hours per week. Overtime will be paid at a
rate of 1.5 times the driver's regular rate of pay for each hour
worked. Prior approval must be received.
Posting
The process of notifying potentially interested drivers of all
primary and secondary route vacancies that may develop.
Pre-School
A program that involves KERA Pre-School that includes "atrisk" four year old students, and three and four year old
students with disabilities.
Problem-solving
When a problem arises and is presented to supervision
(Transportation Director, or Superintendent) an answer will be
given within 24 hours. If a decision cannot be made during that
time the supervisor shall contact the said person with the
problem and advise them that additional time to reach a
decision is needed, in which event he/she shall give them such
decision within one week.
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Routes
There are basically two categories of bus routes:
Primary Routes:
 Regular AM/PM and Special Education AM/PM routes.
These routes are similar in design and duration from year to
year (i.e., geography, and school(s) served, constant times
of the day).
 The number and identities of the student riders and the
assigned bus may fluctuate yearly.
 Alternative Schools Routes
Secondary Routes:
All extra assignment routes including:
 Vocational
 Extended School (ESS)
 School for blind and deaf
Seniority
Seniority is an employee's length of service, based on the
employee's hire-in-date within the Pupil Transportation
Department, and is used as the determining factor in
considering vacant route opportunities or reductions in force.
As a point of emphasis, it should be noted that seniority shall
be based on continuous service including approved leave of
absences.
Substitute drivers shall be granted seniority rights before newly
hired drivers if each is hired full-time simultaneously.
Substitute driver (parttime employee)
Drivers who are employed on a part-time basis and who
function as substitutes for absent full-time drivers are not
guaranteed any specific number of work hours per week and
are not eligible for any employee benefits.
Vocational route
The process of transporting students to and from a school to
another site for the purpose of exposing the student to
specialized instruction in vocational/technological subjects.
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EMPLOYEE SENIORITY:
Seniority
Seniority will be used as the determining factor in considering
route advancement opportunities or reductions in force.
Determination of hirein date
Driver hire-in dates are established by the date the employee
completes their final “CDL” test.
DEPARTMENT STAFFING:
Board approval
All official staff positions within the Pupil Transportation
Department will be Board approved.
Staff jurisdiction and
authority
Every member of the Pupil Transportation Department staff
has the authority to provide instruction and advice to drivers as
required by their official job duties, and as directed by the
Director of Transportation.
Staff members
Board approved staff members include the following:
 Director of Transportation
 State Certified Bus Driver Instructor
Driver Trainers
At the recommendation of the Transportation Director, a driver
may be assigned to School Bus Driver Trainer position.
Transportation will budget for drivers to attend a certification
course and they will have the responsibility of giving
instruction, guidance, and corrections to driver procedures.
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DRIVER ASSIGNMENTS:
Assigning drivers to
All routes are subject to periodic change. The Director of
routes
Transportation has the authority to modify routes at any time
throughout the school year for more efficient utilization of
equipment and personnel by any or all of the following means:
 Adjusting the number and identity of students on specific
buses
 Changing route design to include bus stop locations and
intervals
 Discontinuing route(s) or route segments
Drivers will drive their assigned route(s) as originally designed
or as subsequently modified. All route changes will be
recommended by the drivers, certified bus instructor and/or
Director of Transportation, and approved by the Director of
Transportation.
Any drivers caught changing routes without approval is
subject to disciplinary action up to termination.
Drivers will be notified not later than July 15 preceding the
beginning of the school year of any elimination of routes or
other assignment changes that occur for reasons other than
providing for equitable loads among the affected drivers in the
area in combination with a reasonable balance of riding time
for affected students.
When possible and feasible, drivers will be assigned the same
route(s) as driven during the previous school year, subject to
route availability and needs.
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ROUTE/JOB VACANCIES:
Route Vacancies
As new routes are created, or vacancies occur in existing
routes, they will be appropriately posted, bid on by interested
drivers, and awarded based on driver seniority. If a driver bids
on a route, that driver must keep that same route for one year.
The year begins the day the route begins.
Filling of Route
Vacancies
Not every primary or secondary route that is left vacant will be
automatically posted and filled. The decision to fill route
vacancies will be determined by the Director of Transportation
including the reassignment of affected students to other bus
routes to make the routes more efficient or to equalize existing
driver workload or driving time.
Route Vacancy
Posting Requirements
Within ten (10) working days following any route vacancy, and
after the decision has been made to fill that vacancy, a written
notice of any such vacancy will be conspicuously posted at the
following locations throughout the District for a period of ten
(10) working days:
 Transportation Department
 Central Office
The written notice will include a route description.
Secondary Routes
The following secondary routes may be bid: vocational,
extended school services, school for the blind and deaf, and
any other route not considered a full time assigned area. The
Director of Transportation will assign a driver based on
seniority. If a regular driver can not be found, then a substitute
driver will be assigned.
Bidding Process
If a driver is interested in a vacant route, they must sign up at
the Transportation Department prior to the deadline. The
vacant route will be awarded based on seniority.
When a new bus route becomes available and no regular
driver bids, a substitute driver may bid on this new route.
Bidding Limitations
Drivers are only allowed one primary route and/or one
secondary route change as the results of the route/job bidding
process per contract year. No lateral or reduction changes
shall be permitted unless it benefits the driver and the District.
A driver may not bid on a secondary route if the duration of
those routes would put the driver into overtime status.
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Awarding of routes
The driver to whom the route is awarded shall start on said
route as soon as possible. Actual starting time shall be
determined working in cooperation with the Transportation
Director.
BUS ASSIGNMENTS AND PARKING:
Driver/Bus
Assignments
When a new bus arrives, the Director of Transportation will
assign the bus to the driver. This determination will be based
on the age of the current buses on route, the number of years
that the bus has been used on a regular route, and a driver’s
driving record, and how well the driver has maintained the
current bus he/she is driving.
Bus Parking
Guidelines
All buses will be parked at the Central Office bus lot.
BUS MONITORS:
Utilization of Bus
Monitors
The decision to assign a Bus Monitor to a specific bus will be
made by the Director of Transportation.
The Bus Monitor (an individual other than the bus driver) has
the general responsibility of:
 Assisting in the loading and unloading of students
 Administering to the needs of students while they are being
transported to and from school, or related functions
Transporting three
and four year old
students
Each bus that transports three and four year old children is
required to have at least one Bus Monitor. In relation to three
and four year old children, the Bus Monitor is responsible for:
 Delivering and receiving each child safely to and from the
parent, guardian, or a person authorized by the parents
 Escorting any three and four year old child who must cross
a roadway
Assisting the driver as needed in enforcing student safety
rules
Bus Monitor training
The District shall provide all bus Monitors with appropriate
training prior to assuming the duties of their job.
SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION:
Bus Monitors
A Bus Monitor will be assigned to a bus if the presence of a
monitor is dictated by the student(s) IEP and/or the District's
Director of Special Education relative to special physical,
mental, or emotional needs of the student(s) being transported.
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EMPLOYEE PAY:
Salaries
All regular and substitute classified personnel shall be paid on
an hourly or salary basis. Salaries will be paid on the 15th and
last day of each month.
Drivers' pay for
services rendered
Employees will be paid a minimum of 20 hours per week for
primary route for work activities according to the rate specified
in the Classified Salary Schedule. The length of the workday
shall be established for each position by the Board. Such work
includes, but is not limited to:
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Pre-trip, monthly inspections, fueling
Vehicle housekeeping and cleaning
Administrative and logistical requirements
Bus evacuation drills
Consultation or counseling duties
Drug testing
It does not include the interim period between assigned route
segments, non-authorized waiting time between mid-day route
segments, and other non-required activities assumed by the
employee.
In the A.M., the driver's time starts when they begin their pretrip and ends when they finish routes. In the P.M., a driver's
time starts when they begin their pre-trip or walk-around
inspection loading of students at schools and ends when they
finish the post-trip inspection at the parking lot.
Any variances to this section must come under Non-Traditional
route classification. (See definitions - non-traditional route)
Daily time clock in
Transportation employees are to clock in/out by using the time
clocks in the transportation garage or school they are
assigned. When taking an extra-curricular trip, drivers should
record their time on the trip sheet in addition to time clock in
and out.
Employees falsifying time records is a serious offense
that will be handled accordingly.
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Overtime Work
Drivers are not normally authorized overtime (time worked
beyond 40 hours per week). Hourly employees required to
work in excess of forty (40) hours per week will be paid at the
rate of 1 1/2 times the regular rate for all hours beyond 40 as
provided by law for overtime work. Overtime will only be
allowed when deemed essential, and then only if approved by
the District Superintendent. Weekly hours accrue Sunday
through Saturday.
Employee absences
All absences from the job must be in accordance with
established Board policies on the subject. A completed
transportation absence request must be submitted to the
Director of Transportation promptly for such absences.
Planning is essential to getting requests approved. However, it
is understood that medical and emergency leave are often out
of the employee's control and will be handled on a case-bycase basis.
A “Report of Absence” form should be completed as soon as
possible when the employee returns to work.
Credit for experience
Refer to the District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified.
Stipend for
Drug/Alcohol Testing
Drivers submitting to a random drug or alcohol test will be paid
at regular rate for each time they submit to a required random
drug or alcohol test in the manner and location prescribed.
HOLIDAYS/VACATIONS/LEAVES: Refer to the District Policy manual pertaining
to Classified.
Absence Days
Drivers are under a contract to work the number of days
determined by the school calendar; and are
expected to report for work other than absence due to illness
or personal. Since employees under a 10 month contract “do
not” get vacation days these are the
only authorized days off work.
Absence days should be requested in advance so suitable
coverage can be scheduled. Events such as vacation,
theological retreats, or other events should be planned while
school is not in session. Documentation shall be required to
justify that an employee cannot report to work.
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GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:
This policy is designed to provide employees with an opportunity to present their workrelated complaints through a grievance procedure. An appropriate dispute is an
employee's expressed dissatisfaction concerning an interpretation or application of a
work-related policy or procedure that directly affects the employee filing the grievance.
The grievance procedure is the exclusive remedy for employees with appropriate
complaints. As used in this policy, the term "timely fashion" means five (5) working
days unless extended by the Superintendent. The grievance procedure has a
maximum of three (3) steps, unless the complaint involves a matter that can be
appealed to the Board as described herein below, but disputes may be resolved at any
step in the process. Disputes will be processed until: 1. Employee is satisfied, 2. Does
not file an appeal in a timely fashion, or 3. Exhausts the right to appeal under this policy.
The decision becomes final whenever an employee does not file an appeal in a timely
fashion or when a decision is made in the final step and the right of appeal no longer
exists under this policy. Employees who feel they have an appropriate dispute should
proceed as follows:

Step 1 - File a complaint within five (5) working days of the occurrence on which the
complaint is based on a written form provided for this purpose with the employee's
Designated Administrator. If the dispute involves the Designated Administrator, then
the employee may proceed directly to Step 2. The Designated Administrator will
investigate the complaint, attempt to resolve it, and if unresolved, provide a written
decision to the employee within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the complaint.

Step 2 - Appeal the decision to the Superintendent’s designee if the employee is
dissatisfied with the Designated Administrator's decision, or file the initial complaint
with the Superintendent’s designee if Step 1 has been bypassed.
This appeal or initial complaint filing must be made in a timely fashion using typed or
legible hand written statements, and if an appeal of a decision offered, the initial
complaint and the Designated Administrator's response to the initial complaint must
be attached thereto. If an appeal, Superintendent’s designee may request the
Designated Administrator to provide a written response to the appeal.
The Superintendent’s designee will review the written documentation and may
otherwise investigate the complaint and provide a written decision to the employee
within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the appeal, or if Step 1 has been
bypassed, within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the initial complaint.

Step 3 - Appeal the decision to the Superintendent, if the employee is dissatisfied
with the decision of the Superintendent’s designee, with all previous written
documentation involving the complaint attached thereto.
The Superintendent may request that the Superintendent’s designee submit a written
response to the appeal. The Superintendent will review the documentation and may
otherwise investigate the complaint, and provide a written decision to the employee
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within twenty (20) calendar days of receipt of the appeal, which decision will be final
unless and appeal can be made to the Board under Step 4.

Step 4 - The Board will not consider any appeal of any work related complaint
concerning personnel actions unless the issue of the complaint concerns
constitutional, statutory, regulatory or policy application. If the appeal is a proper
subject for consideration by the Board and the employee is not satisfied with the
decision of the Superintendent, the employee may appeal the decision of the
Superintendent to the Board in a timely fashion in written form, with all previous
written documentation involving the complaint attached thereto. The Board will
review the documentation and may otherwise investigate the complaint and provide
a written decision within thirty (30) calendar days which decision will be final.
"Designated Administrator" as used in this policy shall mean:

The School Principal for all employees working at a particular school, except for food
service employees
 The Director of Maintenance for all employees working in the Maintenance
Department
 The Director of Transportation for all employees working in the Transportation
Department
 The Director of Food Services for all employees working in Food Services
 The Superintendent’s designee for all employees employed
in the Central Office.
The Superintendent and/or the Board may refuse to consider any complaint or appeal
that the Superintendent or the Board determines is not a proper subject for dispute
resolution under this policy.
The complaint filed by an employee must include the name of the employee, the
position of the employee, the date of the occurrence on which the complaint is based,
the date the complaint is filed with the Designated Administrator, the particular board
policy or procedure upon which the complaint is based, including, but not limited to, the
text of the policy or procedure, the identifying number of the policy or procedure, the
publication in which the policy or procedure is located, (i.e. policies of the Caverna
Board of Education, Personnel Policies for Classified Staff, etc.) and a detailed
description of the events, occurrences, actions or inactions upon which the complaint is
based, including, but not limited to, names, dates, persons involved and description of
events.
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OTHER OR OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT:
Drivers' other or
Drivers are allowed to maintain other or outside employment
outside employment
in addition to that of school bus driver as long as the additional
employment does not create a hardship on the Pupil
Transportation Department.
All absences from the job must be in accordance with
established Board policies on the subject. Drivers found to be
in violation of the provisions of "Other or Outside Employment"
will be subject to the following disciplinary actions:
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First time occurrence - Written Reprimand
Second time occurrence - Possible Three (3) days unpaid
suspension
Third time occurrence - Possible Termination
DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Compliance with all
A driver must abide by the State Laws, Kentucky
applicable rules,
Administrative Regulations, the District's regulations or
regulations, policies,
policies, and the directives from the Department of Pupil
and procedures
Transportation, that pertain to his/her responsibilities as a
school bus driver to the best of his/her ability.
Drivers are to follow the instructions given to him/her by the
proper school district authorities to the best of his/her ability.
Students left on bus
unattended:
It is the responsibility of the bus driver to conduct their state
required walk-through of the school bus. Any driver who is
determined to be guilty of leaving a student on the bus due to
not conducting this requirement will be addressed
immediately.
Driver Physical
A driver is to report to the physician designated by the District
and submit to a physical exam to determine his/her physical
fitness to drive a school bus. This exam must be completed
prior to the commencement of any training or driving under the
provisions of the School Bus Driver Contract.
The physical must be completed within one year of the
previous years physical in order to keep his/her status as a
school bus driver.
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Alcohol/Drug testing
and prohibitions
A driver is to refrain from the use of drug and/or alcohol at any
time that would affect their safe and efficient operation of the
bus.
Any employee refusing to submit to a random drug test at the
time of the request will be presumed to have had a positive
test result and be disqualified from further employment.
A driver is to comply with any directive to report for a drug test
in accordance with Department of Pupil Transportation
guidelines.
The employment contract between the District and the Driver
immediately becomes void if the driver tests positive on any
Drug Test or receives an out of range reading on a Breath
Alcohol Test.
Driving Under the
influence
Any transportation/safety worker that receives a DUI within 12
hours of the time they are to report to work will be disqualified
from further employment. A driver that receives a DUI more
than 12 hours before reporting to work will receive a written
reprimand, attend counseling, and report for a drug test in
accordance with the Department of Transportation guidelines.
The employment contract between the district and the driver
immediately becomes void if the driver forfeits his/her
commercial driver license.
Smoking on Buses:
State policy states. “The driver shall not use tobacco products
while operating a school bus, nor permit pupils to use tobacco
products when on the school bus.” This includes electronic
devices.
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Monthly bus
inspections and
maintenance
The driver to which a bus is assigned will present the bus to
the bus maintenance facility for the required monthly vehicle
inspections to ensure the bus is maintained in a safe
mechanical condition at all times.
The assigned driver is to present the bus for inspection on the
date when the inspection is scheduled.
The following procedures should be followed:
 Bring bus to garage
 Report any problems with your bus to the mechanic in
writing.
Drivers are to sweep or otherwise keep their assigned bus
clean on a daily basis and keep all lights and safety signals
clean at all times. Drivers should wash their bus at least once
every month.
Drivers are not permitted to make any alterations,
modification, or repairs to the bus.
Fueling Procedures
It is imperative that appropriate levels of fuel are maintained.
Drivers shall follow the guidelines below while fueling:
 Shut the engine down
 Stay with bus while fueling
 Replace and tighten the fuel cap securely
 Children will not be on the bus while fueling
 Do not leave bus unattended while fueling
 Record the number of gallons and cost.
 Turn in fuel tickets at the end of the month.
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Driver appearance
School bus drivers are the first Caverna employees to greet
students every morning and are an influential role model for
students. School bus drivers are the District representatives
seen regularly by parents and the public. Therefore, it is
important that bus drivers project a professional image.
Personal cleanliness and a neat and clean appearance are
required. The Bus Driver agrees to wear clean clothes and to
present a clean personal appearance when driving the school
bus. The Board, at its discretion, may require a certain type of
dress or uniform for the Driver.
Guidelines for appropriate attire for Bus Drivers
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All clothing should fit properly and project a
professional image.
Appropriate undergarments are required at all times.
Vulgar or inappropriate words, language, or displays
printed on clothing (T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, belt
buckles, etc.) are not acceptable attire.
Lycra, spandex, tube or halter-tops, tank tops, cut off
shorts, are not acceptable attire.
Walking shorts, culottes, and split skirts no shorter than
one to three (1”-3”) inches above the knee, are
appropriate.
Costumes are not considered appropriate attire
because they restrict the driver’s vision.
Sandals, thongs, and open shoes-any shoe with
opening(s) large enough to hang on any pedal are not
appropriate footwear.
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Training/License
A driver must complete all required training for a Commercial
Driver License (CDL) issued by the State of Residence and
any other licenses or certification required for a Kentucky
school bus driver and to keep their certification or license in
force at all times.
A driver must complete the training required for State
certification and any other training required by the District
before transporting pupils to and from school or school related
events. Drivers may be required by the District to pass an
examination based upon the instructional units set forth in the
required training course to substantiate the qualifications of
the driver to carry out his/her duties.
A driver must attend bus driver training meetings prior to the
beginning of school and during the school year. Not
participating in required trainings for certification renewal will
result in loss of opportunity to drive bus until certification is
completed.
Reporting for Work
All employees are to report for work at their regularly
scheduled time. If the opening of school is delayed, the driver
should report at the appropriate time to make the run.
A driver is not to report for work when his/her physical
condition is such that it would impair the ability of the driver to
carry out his/her duties effectively and safely. It is imperative
that the driver contact Transportation as soon as possible to
allow sufficient time to get a replacement.
Reporting Stop Arm
Violation
KRS 189.370 states that all vehicles will stop for school bus
stop arm when loading and unloading students. It is the
driver’s responsibility to report this incident to the appropriate
officials so that it can be pursued.
Driving of Route(s)
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A driver is to drive the bus to which he/she is assigned in a
safe manner at all times and in a manner that will minimize
mechanical wear on the parts of the school bus, and to
report mechanical difficulties promptly to the person
designated to receive such reports.
The driver is to drive the school bus or special type vehicle
to which he/she is assigned to the posted speed limit.
Drivers may not deviate from their routes without
permission from the Director of Transportation, or his
designee.
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Arrival and Departure
Times
It is important to note that school arrivals and closing times
are regulated by the Caverna Board of Education in
conjunction with the Superintendent, Director of
Transportation and each building principal.
Buses shall arrive at school prior to the opening of school and
in the afternoon prior to the closing of school at times based
on the needs of the individual buildings and in conjunction with
loading/unloading times established by the Building Principal.
Buses should not arrive at school more than 5 minutes prior
the established time for unloading.
Remember: Safety first, Schedule second.
Seating Assignments
Student safety is always the first consideration in the
utilization of bus seats. Assigned seating is the responsibility
of each driver. It is highly recommended as a first reaction to
unruly students being transported. Assignments can change
based on student behavior. It is highly recommended that the
preschoolers be placed in the front of the bus. The principals
may recommend the seating of students on the bus.
Discipline on Buses
The Caverna Board has zero tolerance for problems on the
school bus involving student behavior. The driver should do
the following to solve these problems:
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Assign seats
Use the discipline write up forms (available at the
Transportation Department)
Turn forms in to the principal
If problem happens on route attempt to get student home
Kentucky law prohibits students being placed off the bus
for any reason except in emergencies where the safety of
the other students and the driver is in immediate and
significant danger.
Be firm but fair with students. Remember the school
bus should be the “safe place” for students and not a
place where students have to worry about being
picked on or harassed.
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Management of the
Bus Crisis
All drivers and aides transporting students should be trained
by district staff on appropriate intervention techniques,
including positive reinforcement for appropriate student
behavior and efforts to establish positive rapport between
students and drivers.
All school staff will work cooperatively with bus drivers to
establish appropriate behavior management techniques. A
student who is out of control or otherwise upset shall not be
put on the bus to go home; school staff will notify parents to
pick up the child.
When a student's behavior is disruptive on the ride home, yet
not dangerous, the driver shall continue and transport the
student to their home. Drivers will request permission from
the school administration or Transportation Director prior
to returning students to the school.
School staff will contact parents for the other transportation
arrangements. When a situation poses an immediate threat to
the safety of the students (a student is assaulting another
student, the driver or aide, a weapon is involved, etc.), the
driver will use the radio to report the situation.
Someone will be at the Transportation Department monitoring
radio transmissions until all buses have completed their
routes. Each school shall make similar provisions to monitor
radio transmissions.
Any administrator who hears a driver call for help will
immediately do the following:



Acknowledge the message as received
Call 911 and report the situation
Proceed to the location of the bus. The first administrator
to arrive on the scene will notify by radio other
administrators who may be in transit to the location if the
situation is under control.
If a driver is faced with a situation with high potential for
physical conflict with a student, extreme measures to avoid
the situation should be taken, unless children are in danger.
If physical conflict is inevitable, the driver should try to stop at
a location where other adults are available such as a service
station, place of business, etc.
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If a driver knows, or even suspects, that a student has a
weapon, but the student is not brandishing it or acting
otherwise in a threatening manner, the driver should use
his/her judgment, but generally wait until the student has
exited the bus before reporting it. Other options available to
drivers in dealing with student disciplinary incidents include
the following:

First and foremost, contact Transportation before
taking any actions.

If in the driver's judgement, it is safe to proceed and the
bus is within short distance of the school, the driver may
choose to return the bus to school or Central Office if
approved by dispatch or school administration.

If school staff believes that criminal activity has occurred,
police will be called. Administrators will notify the Director
of Transportation or the Superintendent, that police
intervention is being sought, and discusses whether to
press charges on behalf of the District.
School staff will notify the parent of the situation and
arrange alternate transportation.

If the driver is closer to the police station than the school,
the driver may opt to go directly to the police station. Upon
arrival, the driver will notify the Director of Transportation.
Note: In all instances where charges are pressed, the
driver is required to file a written report within 24 hours to
the Director of Transportation.
Emergency
Evacuations
Bus drivers are required to conduct four (4) emergency drills
each year (at least two (2) each semester). The following
procedures shall be followed:
 All evacuations should be completed on the school
campuses.
 All evacuations shall be witnessed and timed.
 All evacuations shall be recorded and signed.
 Forms shall be sent to the transportation office.
Arrangements will be made by transportation
Administrators in conjunction with building principals to
ensure that all students complete prescribed evacuations
Including car riders, students who drive and/or walk.
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Other required duties
Drivers are to appear in court on behalf of the District when
necessary to prove violations of the stop-arm law or other
appropriate legal matters.
Drivers are required to complete a walk-through of their
bus at the completion of each route. Failure to conduct
this required walk-through could result in a child being
left on the bus. This serious offense can result in a driver
being terminated from their contract.
Use of Radio and
Cellular Phone
After the driver, the first line of defense in guaranteeing the
safety of the passengers and the driver is the bus radio.
Historically, abuses of radio use have occurred. The following
guidelines are made with special emphasis to all affected.









Driving Citation
(speeding)
Radios may be used for the business of safely transporting
the students of the Caverna Schools and the business of
the Transportation Department.
Use of radios should be professional at all times.
Approval for limited use of the radio for other
communications outside the Radio Restriction Period may
be made by the Director of Transportation.
Cellular telephones, including hands-free phones, shall not
be used while operating a school bus.
Always allow the persons that are actively communicating
to provide indication of "Clear" before using radio except in
an emergency situation.
If an employee of the Caverna Board of Education
declares an emergency on the radio, all nonessential
communication should cease immediately and remain
stopped until the emergency is lifted.
Bus drivers should turn radios on immediately upon
starting the bus and turn them off when shutting off the
bus.
Otherwise, radios should be operated at a level that allows
for effective monitoring of communications at all times.
Each school should monitor the radio communication
system until all routes for those schools are completed.
A driver that receives a speeding citation while driving a
Caverna school bus will result in:
1st Offense - 3 days suspension without pay or termination
2nd Offense – Termination
Caverna Transportation Department has and will monitor
reports of speeding using whatever means is available.
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Reporting of accidents
Drivers must immediately report all bus-related accidents in
which they may be involved, provide any driver specific
documentation, report for a drug test, and assist in the general
investigative process.
DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Drivers pay, benefits,
and reimbursements



Initial Training
Commitment
Drivers will be paid their salary in 24 equal payments for
regular drivers who are hired at the beginning of the school
year. All other drivers, regular or substitute drivers will be
paid on the number of days worked per paid period.
Drivers will be provided bodily injury, property damage,
medical payments, and uninsured motorists insurance
coverage on the school bus or special type vehicle to
which the driver is assigned up to at least the minimum
amounts recommended by the Division of Pupil
Transportation.
The Board will pay the cost of the yearly required physical
exams for full time and after 20 hours of service for other
substitute drivers.
All cost for physicals, MVR, Criminal Record Check, etc that
are required for the bus driver training must be paid by the
trainee. The cost of the physical will be reimbursed upon
employment of the trainee as a bus driver for Caverna
Independent Schools.
Effective July 1, 2012, after initial employment, any bus driver
who has completed training and earned his/her commercial
drivers license (CDL) as a result of the Caverna Independent
School's training program shall reimburse the Caverna
Independent Schools for the cost of training if he/she quits
and accepts employment elsewhere that requires a CDL.
Reimbursement shall be at a justifiable rate determined by the
Transportation Department. Reimbursement for training costs
shall be as follows:
Within 6 months of employment.............100% reimbursement
Within 6 months - one year........................50% reimbursement
This normally exceeds $2,500 per student. $2,500 will be
used for reimbursement.
Benefits
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
Retirement
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
Life Insurance
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
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Cafeteria Plan
Health Insurance
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
Sick
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
Emergency
Personal
Direct Deposit
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
Direct bank deposits of employee payroll checks are
mandatory for new hires after July 1, 2000. Contact the
payroll department, Central Office for more information.
Snow Days
Refer to District Policy Manual pertaining to Classified
In-Service Days
Bus drivers are paid 181 days; 176 days of student instruction,
4 holidays determined annually by the district calendar
committee, ½ day for opening of school, and 8-hour bus driver
update required by the state. Note: the number of days that
are paid are determined by the school calendar.
The Training/Safety Manager will provide a quarterly list
of in-service opportunities that are available. Drivers are
reminded that in-service hours not used will be repaid to the
district.
Training
Drivers will be provided a copy of the State laws, Kentucky
Administrative Regulations, and the District's regulations or
policies that pertain to the Driver's responsibilities in driving a
school bus or special type vehicle.
Drivers will be provided training required for State certification
and any other training the District deems necessary for the
CDL driver to carry out his/her duties as a school bus driver or
special type vehicle driver.
Evaluation
Transportation strives to evaluate each employee prior to May
30 of each year. However, this may fall later in the year
depending on the year. This evaluation shall be performed by
the Area Manager/Director of Transportation with input from
the principals of the assigned schools, and shall be based
upon a procedure approved by the Superintendent. An
evaluation may be made at any time at which the quality or
quantity of work is in question.
Disciplinary Assistance
The principals of the schools, the teachers, and other school
personnel are assigned responsibilities for pupil transportation
and will be directed to provide reasonable assistance to the
driver in maintaining order and discipline on and about the
school bus or special type vehicle.
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School Anti-Idling Policy
Caverna Independent Schools
Adopted June 29, 2009
Effective Date:
July 1, 2009
The Caverna Board of Education recognizes the need to promote the health and safety of District
students and staff and to protect the environment from harmful emissions found in bus exhaust,
in particular diesel exhaust. We plan to accomplish this by eliminating the unnecessary idling of
all school buses on school property including all schools within the District or at any school or
school related activities to which District students are transported. For purposes of this policy,
an “idling school bus” shall mean a school bus that is parked or stopped at a school or other
location and has its engine running. This policy applies to the operation of every District-owned
and/or contracted school bus. The District shall strive to eliminate all unnecessary idling of
school buses such that idling time is minimized in all aspects of school bus operation.
Rationale: Diesel exhaust from idling school buses can accumulate in and around the bus and
pose a health risk to children, drivers and the community at large. Exposure to
diesel exhaust can cause lung damage and respiratory problems. Diesel exhaust
also exacerbates asthma and existing allergies, and long-term exposure is thought to
increase the risk of lung cancer. Idling buses also waste fuel and financial
resources.
Purpose:
Eliminate all unnecessary idling by Caverna Independent school buses such that
idling time is minimized in all aspects of school bus operation.
Procedure for School Bus Idling:
1) When school bus drivers arrive at loading or unloading areas to drop off or pick up
passengers, they should turn off their buses as soon as possible to eliminate idling time and
reduce harmful emissions. The bus should not be restarted until it is ready to be loaded or
has a clear exit path.
2) Exceptions include conditions that would compromise passenger safety, such as:
a) Extreme weather conditions
b) Idling in traffic
3) At school bus depots, limit the idling time during early morning warm-up to what is
recommended by the manufacturer (generally 3 –5 minutes) in all but the coldest weather.
4) Buses should not idle while waiting for students during field trips, extra-curricular activities
or other events where students are transported off school grounds.
5) In colder weather, if the warmth of the bus is an issue, idling is to be at a very minimum and
occur outside the school zone. The “warmed” bus is to enter the school zone as close to
pick-up time as possible to maintain warmth.
6) All drivers shall receive a copy of this policy at the beginning of every school year.
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Caverna Independent Schools
Use of Personal Communication Devices
While Using School Owned Vehicles Policy
The Caverna Board of Education recognizes the need to promote safety and to prevent
distractions while operating school-owned vehicles. We plan to accomplish this by
implementing the following policy in accordance to Kentucky Revised Statutes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
As used in this policy, “personal communication device” means a device capable of
two (2) way audio or text communication that emits an audible signal, vibrates,
displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers communication to the
possessor, including but not limited to paging device and a cellular telephone, which
means a cellular, analog, wireless, or digital telephone.
A person shall not operate a school bus, as defined in KRS 281A.010, on any
highway while using a cellular telephone while the bus is in motion and transporting
one (1) or more children, except for communications made to and from a central
dispatch, school transportation department, or its equivalent when the bus is not
equipped with a functioning two (2) way radio.
Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this policy, a person operating a school bus shall be
allowed to use a cellular telephone in the event of a bona fide emergency with the bus
being in safe position and secured.
A person shall not use a cellular telephone while operating a school owned vehicle on
any highway while the vehicle is in motion except as provided for in subsection (6).
Except as provided in subsection (6) of this policy, no person shall, while operating a
motor vehicle that is in motion on the traveled portion of a roadway, write, send, or
read text-based communication using a personal communication device to manually
communicate with any person using text-based communication, including but not
limited to communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or
electronic mail.
Subsections (4) and (5) of this policy shall not apply to:
a. The use of a hands-free device (Blue Tooth, etc.) made specifically for cellular
devices.
b. The use of global positioning system features of personal communication device;
c. The reading, selecting, or entering of a telephone number or name in a personal
communication device for the purpose of making a phone call;
d. The operator of a motor vehicle who calls or writes a text message on a personal
communication device to:
1. Report illegal activity;
2. Summon medical help;
3. Summon a law enforcement or public safety agency; or
4. Prevent injury to person or property.
Violation of this policy will result in the following:
a. First offense: Written reprimand
b. Second offense: Suspension from work without pay for three (3) days
c. Third offense: Termination
Reference: KRS 189.292, KRS 281A.205
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