Transportation

The purpose of the standard is to provide details of the Board’s transportation policies to the Ministry and the public. The Grand Erie Accessibility Plan can be found on the Grand Erie website.

Specialized Transportation is provided in the following circumstances: 

• Students with special needs who would be unable to travel independently, due to a variety of reasons, to special class placement at their home school
• Students placed in a self-contained class which is not located in their home school
• Students with special needs who would be unable to travel independently due to a variety of reasons to regular class placement (determined on a case-by-case basis)
• Students with special needs requiring a modified day or fresh start (determined on a case-by-case basis)
• A student’s transportation is usually decided collaboratively with parents/caregivers and school/Teacher Consultant for Specialized Services following an IPRC or transition meeting
• Transportation may be provided to a student who is attending a care or treatment program if it is on an existing bus route
• Transportation is not provided to/from a correctional facility or locations outside of the Board’s district boundary
• Transportation may be provided to students who have been placed in a Provincial or Demonstration School through a system IPRC. Students may be transported on a daily, weekly, or other basis to and from the school
• Limited transportation is available for summer school. Currently, students are required to congregate at community bus stop locations. Exceptions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

 
Policy and Procedures are reviewed with respect to special transportation arrangements at regular intervals. The procedures are as follows:

• The school principal will contact the Teacher Consultant - Specialized Services who will arrange for transportation through the board transportation department.
• The Teacher Consultant- Specialized Services will complete an “Individual Transportation Plan (ITP)” form that is submitted to the transportation department. An ITP identifies supports required during transportation based on individual student needs.
• For students whose individual needs require more specific support, a Plan of Care Alert – Other is created and shared with the individuals supporting the student during transportation times.
• School principals or designate may arrange to meet with drivers and Rider Aides to review the Plan of Care Alerts when needed.

 
Safety criteria used by the board in the tendering and selection of transportation providers for exceptional students are as follows:

• Drivers must have emergency first aid certification and be able to meet the need(s) of the student they are providing service to, as per the ITP and any support plans which may accompany them.
• Wheelchairs must be secured at all times when the student is in a travel ready position. 
• All buses require two-way communication
• Rider aides will be assigned when required on a case-by-case basis

 
Roles and responsibilities, as it relates to transportation services, are detailed in Board’s transportation procedures 004, 005, 006, 007, and 008; available at:

stsbhn.ca/policies-procedures

The board transportation department annually reviews transportation requirements for service providers under their contracts.