School Bus Transportation - Students with Special Needs

Special Transportation is a related service that can be part of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Transportation can only be added to a student’s IEP through the IEP committee. The IEP committee must include representatives from both the transportation and special education services departments.

As a basic guideline, transportation services tries to place an exceptional child on a regular bus route. If a regular route is not feasible, then a yellow exceptional needs bus is the next option. If no yellow school buses are available, contract transportation is then pursued. This is generally the most cost effective chain to follow, however, each individual student’s situation must be considered and, therefore, an exception to the chain is possible when it would be in the best interest of the student.

Once transportation has been awarded, the following guidelines should be followed:

In the mornings, student should be ready to walk out the door at least 10 minutes before scheduled pick-up time. Drivers are instructed to wait no longer than three minutes before proceeding to the next stop.
For students needing assistance, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide the assistance from the residence to the vehicle, or from the vehicle to the residence.
For students needing supervision, please arrange to have someone at the residence in the afternoon to receive the student. Drop-off times in the afternoon could vary depending on whether or not other students assigned to ride that vehicle may be absent that day. If no one is at the residence to receive the student, the student will be returned to school.
If there is a need to change the student’s pick up or drop off location, please notify the school, and they will, in turn, notify the transportation department. The transportation department can only honor changes in addresses from the student’s school or from the special education services department.
As a general rule, special needs students will not be dropped off at home unattended unless the IEP dictates otherwise.

Contact the transportation department by phone at 919-856-8050 or you can for more information.