702.30 Student Eligibility for Transportation

Elementary and middle school students (students in grade K-9) living more than 2 miles from their designated attendance centers, and high school students (students in grades 10-12) living more than 3 miles from their designated attendance center are entitled to transportation to and from their attendance center at the district’s expense. The district is not required to provide reimbursement to parents who elect to provide transportation in lieu of district-provided transportation.

The distance to the designated attendance center or to an approved bus route is measured on a public street or highway only and over the most passable and safest route for the school bus. The measurement starts in the middle of the roadway opposite the driveway entrance to the student’s private residence and ends in the middle of the roadway opposite the nearest driveway entrance to the school grounds or designated pick-up point on the bus route.

Any student who is eligible for transportation may be required to meet a school bus on an approved route a distance of not to exceed three-fourths of a mile from their home without reimbursement.

When transportation by school bus is impracticable or where school bus service is not available, the board may require the parent/guardian to transport their children to the school designated for attendance. The parent/guardian will be reimbursed for such transportation at the rate per mile set by the state.

For student safety, the district has discretion to determine if there are areas in which students will be provided transportation regardless of the distance between their designated attendance center and their homes. When making this determination, the district will review: analysis of traffic patterns and cross walks and additional
factors as the district deems necessary.

Students with special transportation needs will be provided transportation services as required by student’s IEP, state, and/or federal laws.

When possible, the district may offer “Pay-To-Ride” transportation services for those students who do not qualify for transportation under the state code. Additional information about this service will be made available on the district website, in student handbooks, and/or in other district publications.

Legal Reference:
20 U.S.C. §§ 1401, 1701 et
seq. 34 C.F.R. Pt. 300 et seq.
Iowa Code §§ 256B.4; 285; 321
281 I.A.C. 41.412.

Cross Reference:
603.3 Special Education Services 702 Series – Transportation

Approved:
July 20, 2009

Reviewed:
June 10, 2009
November 19, 2012
October 16, 2017
October 21, 2019
June 20, 2021
June 16, 2022

Revised:
July 20, 2009
November 19, 2012
October 16, 2017
October 21, 2019
July 6, 2021
July 25, 2022