FILE: EDDA
SPECIAL USE OF SCHOOL BUSES
It shall be the policy of the Plaquemines Parish School Board to permit the use of school buses for student trips or excursions to enhance instructional activities. The use of buses for such trips shall be strictly governed by regulations adopted by the Board and/or established by the Superintendent or administrative staff. All arrangements for any trip or excursion shall be made by either the transportation director or the Superintendent.
Any Plaquemines Parish school or organization may use buses for athletic or activity trips. The Board will be reimbursed by the school or organization for the expense equal to the cost of operation of the buses for the particular event. In addition, the following guidelines shall also apply to the special use of any school bus:
For activities of an educational nature within the parish, the use of the buses shall be requested by the principal of the school involved and it shall be limited in time, so as not to interfere with the regular route to which that bus is assigned.
For educational activities outside the parish, the use of the buses shall be limited to transporting those students who are engaged in representing their school in the principal activity for which the trip is required. The request shall also come from the principal involved.
Bus operators hired by the Board must drive for co-curricular activities as part of their employment. Bus operators will be available to drive for co-curricular activities during regular school hours. On an equal, rotating basis, bus operators shall be called for co-curricular activities during school hours.
Approval for the use of the buses shall be requested at a time prior to the trip sufficient for the office staff to evaluate the request and to make the arrangements necessary.
For co-curricular activities after school hours, bus operators shall be paid an hourly amount to be determined by the Board. After hour trips shall be voluntary. When returning from an event after dark, all students shall be dropped off at their homes, or at the school, if arrangements have been made and approved by the administration.
USE OF BUSES BY OUTSIDE AGENCIES
Government agencies may request the use of Plaquemines Parish School Board buses. Approval by the Director of Transportation and/or Superintendent of Schools is required. Such agencies are to submit in writing a letter to the Superintendent outlining:
the name of the agency
the number of buses requested
the names of the riders, excluding evacuees during emergencies
the purpose of the function for which transportation is needed
the name of the official agency employee who is in charge
the date, time of departure and time of return
point of departure and point of return
a signed agreement with a hold harmless clause
Requests must be made at least thirty (30) days ahead of the scheduled trip and if approved, the agency shall pay any fees that may be required by the Board.
A complete and detailed itinerary must be supplied at the time of request. Bus operators may be specifically requested by the organization.
After a bus is used by a governmental agency, the bus is to be returned in the same condition that it was taken.
USE OF BUSES BY PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Consideration of use of buses by private organizations will be on a case-by-case basis. Private organizations who are approved to use School Board buses must comply with the above conditions and shall pay any fees that may be required by the Board. Written requests must be made at least thirty (30) days ahead of the scheduled trip date in order for the request to be submitted for approval. The Superintendent shall be authorized to consider any requests that are submitted within the thirty (30) day deadline.
A complete and detailed itinerary must be supplied at the time of request. Only Plaquemines Parish School Board bus operators are allowed to drive on such trips.
Revised: October, 2010
Adopted: November 1, 2010
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยง17:158
Board minutes, 7-2-96
Plaquemines Parish School Board