Special Needs Transportation Guide
The transportation team works closely with schools and families to ensure that our exceptional students have the supports they need to get to and from school safely. You can find more information about our procedures for exceptional students below. Please feel free to contact us at 913-833-8100 with any questions or concerns. We look forward to providing you and your student with efficient, reliable, service in the safest manner possible!
To stay updated on your child's transportation, keep a current contact number on file with the routing office at all times. Call us at 918-833-8100 in case of a number change.
- Initiating & Maintaining Transportation Services
- Location of stops and Ride Time to Schools
- Why did our route change? How can I request a change?
- Help Keep Buses on Time by Being Ready on Time!
- IF A BUS RUNS LATE ...
- Student Conduct & Safety
- IF YOU CANNOT MEET YOUR STUDENT AT THE STOP
- If a Student is Ill or not Riding for a Few Days ....
- Seatbelts & Wheelchairs
- ITEMS LEFT ON THE BUSES
- USE OF CAMERAS
- SIBLING RIDERS
Initiating & Maintaining Transportation Services
Curb-to-curb transportation can begin after an IEP meeting is held and it is determined the student requires transportation services. The school will forward information about the student to the routing office, and we will contact you to share the transportation plan for your child.
Transportation services are renewed annually. It is very important that you complete a transportation application in the spring for the following year. If we do not receive your application, your child's transportation for the new school year may be delayed by up to two weeks. If your school does not send home a transportation application home in the spring, please call us at 918-833-8100 to request one.
Location of stops and Ride Time to Schools
Students will receive service that is appropriate to serve them safely in the least restrictive environment as directed by the student's IEP. For some students with special needs, curbside service will be provided. However, other service levels, including centralized bus stops, may be used. We do not provide transportation to day-cares outside of district boundaries.
The average ride time for a special needs student in the district is approximately 20 minutes. The district attempts to limit rides to less than one hour. In some extreme cases this is not possible.
Why did our route change? How can I request a change?
When new students are added to a route, or a student moves, ride times for other students may be affected. Please keep your current phone number on file with the district. As long as the contact number is current, parents of students riding special needs routes will receive calls the day before any changes take effect.
If there is a change in the student’s address, telephone, daycare, etc., please call the transportation coordinator in Exceptional Student Services at 918-833-8100. Change requests will be processed within 3 to 5 business days.
Help Keep Buses on Time by Being Ready on Time!
IF A BUS RUNS LATE ...
Student Conduct & Safety
If unacceptable behavior is observed, the transportation department will contact your child's school who will then follow-up with you. When serious violations occur, even on the first offense, the student may be suspended from ridership, possibly for the duration of the school year. The school may convene an IEP review to best determine how the student can be transported to and from school.
IF YOU CANNOT MEET YOUR STUDENT AT THE STOP
It is expected that a parent or designee will meet students who receive curbside service.
If no one is present at the drop-off time to meet a student that cannot be left alone, the student will be transported back to the school or a bus terminal. The parent will need to call transportation at 918-833-8100 for directions.
If a Student is Ill or not Riding for a Few Days ....
Students who are ill should not be sent to school. If the child becomes ill during the school day, a parent or guardian is responsible for taking the student home/
If a student does not ride the bus for three consecutive days, the driver will stop going to the stop. In order to resume transportation, please contact transportation’s Customer Service Center at 918-833-8100.
To cancel a pickup for a day or a range of days, due to illness or while on vacation or some other temporary change in circumstances, please call 918-833-8100 and give notice at least a day in advance.
Seatbelts & Wheelchairs
Seatbelts are to be worn by all students on all special needs routes at all times.
Wheel chairs must meet national safety standards in order to be transported. Any student requiring a wheelchair will be transported only in his/her wheelchair. If a wheelchair cannot be secured on the bus, or if it is not equipped with a lap belt, the student will not be transported until it is inspected and approved by a transportation supervisor.
ITEMS LEFT ON THE BUSES
USE OF CAMERAS
SIBLING RIDERS
A limited number of seats may be available for siblings of special needs students to ride with them on the same route. If the bus has capacity, parents may request bus service for the siblings of their special needs student. However, that capacity is primarily intended for special needs students; if the route fills up, or if the siblings cause any disturbance on the bus, siblings will be excluded from the route.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve your family!
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