Florida Charter School Conference Orlando, November 16, 2011 Presented by Charlie Hood Ensuring Transportation (or lack thereof) is NOT a Barrier to Equal Access

Overview Florida statisticsFlorida statistics Transportation provisions (s )Transportation provisions (s ) Other applicable statutesOther applicable statutes Transportation service optionsTransportation service options Transportation safety requirementsTransportation safety requirements Safety record of school buses, other modesSafety record of school buses, other modes Eligibility of students for transportation Eligibility of students for transportation

Overview Estimating cost of transportationEstimating cost of transportation Estimating state reimbursementEstimating state reimbursement Claiming state reimbursementClaiming state reimbursement Parent reimbursementParent reimbursement Contract compliance monitoringContract compliance monitoring Additional resources and contactsAdditional resources and contacts

First things first… First things first… Transportation provided?Transportation provided? If “yes,” we highly recommend contacting FDOE School Transportation office.If “yes,” we highly recommend contacting FDOE School Transportation office. or, (850)

Resources and Contacts

Florida’s Numbers ( ) One million students transported (39% of total enrollment)One million students transported (39% of total enrollment) 14,988 buses in daily service14,988 buses in daily service 293,126 school bus stops293,126 school bus stops 275 million total miles275 million total miles $429M state reimbursement (FEFP)$429M state reimbursement (FEFP) $954M total expenditures$954M total expenditures 45% state reimbursement (state avg.)45% state reimbursement (state avg.)

Transportation Provisions (s ) Transportation of charter school students shall be provided by the charter school consistent with the requirements of subpart I.e. of chapter The governing body of the charter school may provide transportation through an agreement or contract with the district school board, a private provider, or parents. The charter school and the sponsor shall cooperate in making arrangements that ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access for all students residing within a reasonable distance of the charter school as determined in its charter.Transportation of charter school students shall be provided by the charter school consistent with the requirements of subpart I.e. of chapter The governing body of the charter school may provide transportation through an agreement or contract with the district school board, a private provider, or parents. The charter school and the sponsor shall cooperate in making arrangements that ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access for all students residing within a reasonable distance of the charter school as determined in its charter.

Sections of Law and Rule Sections , FS- Student TransportationSections , FS- Student Transportation Chapter 6A-3, FAC- Student TransportationChapter 6A-3, FAC- Student Transportation  Section and , FS- Qualifications of Personnel (Criminal Background Checks)  Section , FS- School Bus Driver Training, Physicals, and Qualifications

Other Sections of Law and Rule  Section , FS- Funds for Student Transportation  Section , FS-Traffic to Stop for School Bus  Section , FS-Unlawful Speed (including School Buses)  Section , FS-School Buses; Safety Belts or Other Restraint Systems Required

Transportation Service Options Charter school owns and operates school busesCharter school owns and operates school buses School district provides school busesSchool district provides school buses Private contractors provide school busesPrivate contractors provide school buses School or district provides certain smaller vehicles for isolated or disabled studentsSchool or district provides certain smaller vehicles for isolated or disabled students Public transitPublic transit Parent owned vehicles for isolated or disabled studentsParent owned vehicles for isolated or disabled students

Standard Type C Bus

Transportation Safety Requirements (Chapter 1006, F.S. and Chapter 6A-3, FAC) Transportation required two miles or more; maximum 1.5 miles to bus stopTransportation required two miles or more; maximum 1.5 miles to bus stop Routes must be designated; stops established in most reasonably safe locationsRoutes must be designated; stops established in most reasonably safe locations School buses required, not full size vansSchool buses required, not full size vans Buses meeting FL specs, inspected each 30 school daysBuses meeting FL specs, inspected each 30 school days

School Bus Requirements School buses must:School buses must: meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standardsmeet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards meet Florida School Bus Specificationsmeet Florida School Bus Specifications be inspected at least each 30 school days by an inspector certified by the Departmentbe inspected at least each 30 school days by an inspector certified by the Department meet inspection pass/fail criteria per Florida School Bus Safety Inspection Manualmeet inspection pass/fail criteria per Florida School Bus Safety Inspection Manual be removed from service until deficiencies are correctedbe removed from service until deficiencies are corrected

Safety of Buses vs. Other Modes

School Bus Occupant Protection

The Driver is the Key to Safety The Driver is the Key to Safety School bus operators (drivers) must have:School bus operators (drivers) must have: 40 hours preservice training40 hours preservice training 8 hours inservice annually8 hours inservice annually criminal background checkscriminal background checks drug and alcohol testingdrug and alcohol testing annual physical examinationannual physical examination dexterity examdexterity exam Commercial Driver LicenseCommercial Driver License driving history checksdriving history checks

Transportation Safety Requirements Safety training/procedures required by schools for school bus riders:Safety training/procedures required by schools for school bus riders: emergency evacuation drills first six weeks of each semester; FAA-style safety and evac instructions at beginning of each field/activity tripemergency evacuation drills first six weeks of each semester; FAA-style safety and evac instructions at beginning of each field/activity trip transported students must receive instruction in safe riding practices during first six weeks of 1st semestertransported students must receive instruction in safe riding practices during first six weeks of 1st semester schools must ensure safety of school bus and parent loading/unloading areas and bicyclists/pedestriansschools must ensure safety of school bus and parent loading/unloading areas and bicyclists/pedestrians

Eligibility for Transportation All K-12 students > 2 miles walking distanceAll K-12 students > 2 miles walking distance Students with disabilities as specified in IEP and consistent with Transportation General InstructionsStudents with disabilities as specified in IEP and consistent with Transportation General Instructions All teen parent program participantsAll teen parent program participants Elementary grade hazardous walkingElementary grade hazardous walking

Reasonable Distance Provision Section : “The charter school and the sponsor shall cooperate in making arrangements that ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access for all students residing within a reasonable distance of the charter school as determined in its charter.”Section : “The charter school and the sponsor shall cooperate in making arrangements that ensure that transportation is not a barrier to equal access for all students residing within a reasonable distance of the charter school as determined in its charter.” “Reasonable distance” can be determined based on comparable local practice for traditional public schools“Reasonable distance” can be determined based on comparable local practice for traditional public schools

Estimating Transportation Cost Determine local school district transportation cost per studentDetermine local school district transportation cost per student Determine charter school transportation cost per student (may be higher)Determine charter school transportation cost per student (may be higher) Cost will depend on numerous variables that should be discussed/included prior to signing sponsor agreementCost will depend on numerous variables that should be discussed/included prior to signing sponsor agreement

Estimating Transportation Cost Variables affecting cost include:Variables affecting cost include: Lead time to school opening (buses, drivers)Lead time to school opening (buses, drivers) Location of schoolLocation of school Location of studentsLocation of students Opening/closing (bell) times of schoolOpening/closing (bell) times of school Reasonable distance boundary establishedReasonable distance boundary established Special needs of studentsSpecial needs of students Mix of grade levels on busesMix of grade levels on buses Compatibility with existing routesCompatibility with existing routes

Estimating State Reimbursement Students eligible for transportation funding will generate district’s formula-calculated annual per student reimbursementStudents eligible for transportation funding will generate district’s formula-calculated annual per student reimbursement Same “per student” reimbursement rate, regardless of mode (e.g., parent car, public transit, school bus)Same “per student” reimbursement rate, regardless of mode (e.g., parent car, public transit, school bus) State reimbursement rate rarely covers costState reimbursement rate rarely covers cost Estimating worksheet available from DOEEstimating worksheet available from DOE

Claiming State Reimbursement Riders (bus “enrollment”) surveyed in July, October, February, June (Surveys 1, 2, 3, 4)Riders (bus “enrollment”) surveyed in July, October, February, June (Surveys 1, 2, 3, 4) Students must be eligible for transportation funding (including parent-transported if isolated or disabled)Students must be eligible for transportation funding (including parent-transported if isolated or disabled) Auditor General requires data collection worksheets, other documentationAuditor General requires data collection worksheets, other documentation Funding claims must be submitted by districts and funding is distributed to themFunding claims must be submitted by districts and funding is distributed to them

Funding Starts with annual Legislative AppropriationStarts with annual Legislative Appropriation Distributed per Transportation Funding Formula (Section , FS)Distributed per Transportation Funding Formula (Section , FS) Claimed via Automated Reporting SystemClaimed via Automated Reporting System Recalculated throughout year based as data is updated (from new surveys, district amendments, lately incl. reduced state funds)Recalculated throughout year based as data is updated (from new surveys, district amendments, lately incl. reduced state funds)

Contract Compliance Monitoring Self-evaluation worksheets available from FDOE for monitoring safety complianceSelf-evaluation worksheets available from FDOE for monitoring safety compliance Includes core safety requirementsIncludes core safety requirements District sponsors are required to monitor contract compliance by charter schools, including compliance with safety laws and rulesDistrict sponsors are required to monitor contract compliance by charter schools, including compliance with safety laws and rules

Resources and Contacts Charter Schools Transportation GuideCharter Schools Transportation Guide The Quality Link: Florida School District Transportation ProfilesThe Quality Link: Florida School District Transportation Profiles Florida School Bus Safety Inspection ManualFlorida School Bus Safety Inspection Manual Florida School Bus SpecificationsFlorida School Bus Specifications Florida Basic School Bus Operator CurriculumFlorida Basic School Bus Operator Curriculum

Resources and Contacts Student Transportation Survey General InstructionsStudent Transportation Survey General Instructions / / / / FDOE School Transportation:FDOE School Transportation: (850)

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