Eligibility:

• Eligibility for ridership on ESE buses
  • School based IEP Team approved IEP supporting specialized transportation services in accordance with the state’s five (5) criteria.
  • School based approved 504 Plan requiring specialized transportation services in accordance with state’s five (5) criteria.
• Provisional Transportation Waivers are permitted for students eligible for specialized transportation services.
• Provisional Transportation Waivers are not permitted to establish specialized transportation services.
• Provisional Transportation Waivers are not permitted for siblings of ESE student riders to ride ESE buses.
• ESE students cannot be released to their ESE siblings

• * “Transportation Waivers for ESE students with exceptionalities will adhere to the specific terms and accommodations documented in the student’s IEP.”

Applying for Provisional Transportation Waivers:

• Provisional Transportation Waivers for ESE are submitted to the Transportation Department via the Parent Portal on the BusPlanner website.
• Only the Transportation Department may approve Provisional Transportation Waivers.
• Parents/guardians may apply for Provisional Transportation Waivers.
• Principals may apply for Provisional Transportation Waivers on behalf of students and parents/guardians on an as needed basis.
• Parents/guardians and/or Principals may apply for Provisional Transportation Waivers at any time during the year.

Types:

• Provisional Transportation Waivers are considered under the following circumstances only:
  • Split Custody Waivers: Split custody waivers when both parents reside within the student’s assigned school zone. There are two types of Provisional Transportation Waivers for split custody waivers:
    • Both parents reside within the school zone along the route of the one (1) school bus.
    • Both parents reside within the school zone along two (2) different routes for two (2) different school buses.
  • School District Employees: Students/children of school district employees requiring transportation services between schools using existing buses, routes, and stops on a space available basis.
  • Met at Bus Stop:
    • Parent/guardian authorizes Transportation to discharge an ESE student at their assigned stop in the custody of an older sibling(s).
      • Sibling must be in the 6^th grade or above.
      • ESE Students cannot be released to their ESE siblings
        • * “Transportation Waivers for ESE students with exceptionalities will adhere to the specific terms and accommodations documented in the student’s IEP.” *
      • Parent/guardian authorizes a designated emergency contact (listed in e-school) to receive their ESE student at their assigned bus stop.

General Criteria:

• Bus and/or buses must have space availability for the Provisional Transportation Waiver student.
• Student riders under Provisional Transportation Waivers must utilize existing buses, routes, stops, and schedules only.
• Student riders under a Provisional Transportation Waiver may not transfer from bus to bus.
• Transportation approves Provisional Transportation Waivers for the period requested not to exceed the current school year.
• Provisional Transportation Waivers are applicable only for the approved student, buses, routes, schedules, and stops.
• “Bus passes” of any type from any source are not authorized for use on district school buses at any time.
• Provisional Transportation Waivers are not permitted to overcome ineligibility for transportation services or changes in a student’s eligibility for transportation services.

Communications:

• Applicants will receive immediate email confirmations when applications are submitted to the Transportation Department via the BusPlanner website.
• The Transportation Department will inform applicants by email regarding Provisional Transportation Waiver decisions.
• The Transportation Department will inform applicable school principals regarding approved or suspended Provisional Transportation Waivers.

Approval Process:

• Provisional Transportation Waiver applications are reviewed and approved/disapproved by the Transportation Department based on operational criteria.
• Provisional Transportation Waivers are approved by the Transportation Department following the reconciliation of eligible student riders aboard buses (normally after the second (2nd) full week of school).

Parent/Guardian Contingencies:

• Parents/guardians are encouraged to make alternative transportation arrangements until when/if Provisional Transportation Waiver applications are approved by Transportation.
• Parents/guardians are encouraged to develop contingency plans for transportation services in the event provisional transportation waivers are disapproved by Transportation.

Waiver Suspensions:

• The Transportation Department may suspend Provisional Transportation Waivers based on operational criteria within two (2) weeks of notice to parents/guardians.
• The Transportation Department may suspend Provisional Transportation Waivers for reasons outlined in the Student Code of Conduct at any time.
• Parents/guardians may suspend Provisional Transportation Waivers by contacting the Transportation Department.

Student Accountability:

• The Transportation Department will register students with approved Provisional Transportation Waivers as eligible riders for buses in BusPlanner (routing system) to ensure accountability of students and effective communications with parents/guardians, schools, and bus operators.