Choice Program students may receive transportation regardless of their proximity to the Choice school. Parents must provide transportation to the closest bus stop in order to be eligible. Bus stops will only be available within the Choice Transportation Zone for each school and additional stops will not be created.

Bus stops to Choice schools may be limited and located significantly farther from the student’s home than transportation to the student’s home school. Students who live outside of the Choice Transportation Zone may attend the Choice school if they provide their own transportation to and from:

• School
• Nearest school bus pick-up location within the transportation zone

Note: Additional stops will not be created for students who reside outside of the Choice Transportation Zone and who are traveling inside the zone to access transportation.

For additional information, please visit the Choice Transportation Zones page.

• Policy 2.26 Bus Scheduling, Routing, Stops and Storage
• Policy 5.186 Student Transportation Conduct

(1) Where it is practicable to provide improved transportation service and school facilities for students from an area in adjoining districts, district lines shall not interfere with the designation of a school attendance area composed of areas of two (2) or more districts. It shall be the duty of school boards and superintendents of the districts involved to develop a plan which will issue the children of the area adequate school advantages. Students shall not be transported at public expense across district lines unless an annual agreement exists between the respective school boards. This agreement shall outline the responsibility of each district for providing school facilities, including transportation, and specify which district shall have exclusive responsibility for providing and operating the equipment. Unless the agreement shall stipulate otherwise, the rules and regulations of the district in which the bus is traveling shall be observed.

(2) All school bus routes shall be so planned and adjusted to the capacities of available equipment and school buses should be so chosen and assigned to routes and attendance areas that insofar as practicable the full capacity of each bus will be utilized, without standees, to serve students whose homes are beyond reasonable walking distance of the assigned public school center.

(3) A reasonable walking distance for any student who is not otherwise eligible for transportation pursuant to section 1011.68, F.S., is any distance not more than two (2) miles between the home and school or one and one-half (1 1/2) miles between the home and the assigned bus stop. Such distance shall be measured from the closest pedestrian entry point of the property where the student resides to the closest pedestrian entry point of the assigned school building or to the assigned bus stop. The pedestrian entry point of the residence shall be where private property meets the public right-of-way. The district shall determine the shortest pedestrian route whether or not it is accessible to motor vehicle traffic.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1006.21, 1006.22, 1011.68 FS. Law Implemented 1001.42(10), 1002.20(22), 1003.02(1)(e), 1006.22, 1011.68 FS. History–New 3-26-66, Amended 9-17-72, 7-20-74, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Formerly 6A-3.01, Amended 3-12-86, 11-15-94.

(1) The school district shall determine safety measures to be used in the transportation of students, such as the designation of routes, bus turning areas, student stop locations, and the method of securement or positioning of students with special needs.

(2) The school district shall exercise additional specific powers and responsibilities as follows:

(a) The district shall provide bus operators and attendants instructions, in writing, as to any special conditions or non-medical care which a student may need while on the bus.

(b) The district shall instruct bus operators, and attendants if used, in their responsibilities for students who are transported at public expense as follows:

1. The operator or attendant of a bus transporting students shall remain with the bus so that students aboard will be under supervision at all times, except to call for assistance in case of an emergency or accident involving the students or bus.

2. In cases where a student with physical disabilities is unable to leave the area of a student stop without assistance, the school bus operator shall not assume responsibility for such assistance except in an emergency which threatens the safety of such student or students.

3. The operator and attendant shall be provided training related to students; however, the operator and attendant shall not give medicine and shall limit his or her assistance to that which may normally be expected of a reasonable, prudent person or as specified in the student’s Individual Educational Plan.

(c) The district shall inform parents, guardians, and students at least annually in writing of their responsibilities and related district policies as follows:

1. To ensure the safe travel of their students during the portions of each trip to and from school and home when the students are not under the custody and control of the school district, including during each trip to and from home and the assigned bus stop when the school district provides bus transportation.

2. To ensure that students ride only in their assigned school buses and get off only at assigned bus stops, except when the district has approved alternative buses or arrangements.

3. To ensure students are aware of and follow the district’s adopted code of student conduct while the students are at school bus stops and to provide necessary supervision during times when the bus is not present.

4. To ensure that, when the physical disability of the student renders the student unable to get on and off the bus without assistance, the parent or guardian provides the necessary assistance to help the student get on and off at the bus stop, as required by district policy or the student’s individual educational plan.

(3) Knowledge, skills, and abilities related to student management techniques and characteristics of the students shall be considered when selecting or assigning operators and attendants for routes serving students.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), 1006.22(13) FS. Law Implemented 1001.42(10), 1003.31(1)(d), 1006.10, 1006.22 FS. History–New 3-26-66, Amended 9-17-72, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Formerly 6A-3.121, Amended 11-15-94, 11-26-06, 4-25-17.