Policy-Code-EEAE

Section E: Support Services

Policy Title: Bus Safety Program
Policy Code: EEAE

Print Version (in PDF)

The safety and welfare of student riders is to be the first consideration in all matters pertaining to transportation. Toward that end, all District transportation department personnel, bus operators, and bus passengers shall comply with the rules adopted pursuant to A.R.S. 28-900 and the Minimum Standards for School Buses and School Bus Drivers promulgated by the Arizona Department of Administration and adopted as Chapter 13 of A.A.C. Title 13, and shall immediately report to the Superintendent any violation of rules or state statutes that threatens the health, safety, or welfare of a passenger.

Bus evacuation drills shall be conducted at least twice every school year at the school and shall include every passenger who rides a school bus and is in school on the day of the evacuation drill. Each bus driver shall participate in at least two (2) evacuation drills during each school year. The bus evacuation drill shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements set out by the Arizona Department of Public Safety for such a drill.

All vehicles used to transport students shall be maintained in such condition as to provide safe and efficient transportation service with a minimum of delays and disruption of such service due to mechanical or equipment failure. Buses shall be replaced at such intervals as will provide good equipment at all times.

Students shall not be put off the bus until reaching their destination.

In addition to the regular state inspections, each school bus shall be inspected by the driver daily, before each use, to ascertain that it is in safe condition and equipped as required by all provisions of law, and that all equipment is in good working order.

Each school bus owned by, or contracted to, the District will conform to all applicable federal and state requirements as provided by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 and A.A.C. Title 13, Chapter 13.

Each driver of a District-owned or District-contracted school bus, as defined by and covered by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 and A.A.C. Title 13, Chapter 13, will conform to all requirements of the Act and such state statutes, rules and regulations governing the operation of the vehicle.

Adopted: March 27, 2012
Revised:  May 20, 2024 (updated legal reference only)

LEGAL REF: A.R.S. 15-843
15-922
28-101
28-900
28-984
A.A.C. R13-13-101 et seq.
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986
49 U.S.C. 30101 (Standards and Compliance – School Buses and School Bus Equipment)