Policy 5200 Implementation Procedures - Student Transportation

Distance criteria will be adhered to concerning walking to a school bus stop or when determining eligibility for school bus service provided that traffic and/or walking conditions meet a reasonable level of safety and/or conditions permit safe bus operations. Some students may be required to walk to a school bus stop or to school in excess of the stated distance if a reasonable level of safety cannot be achieved.

In establishing the demarcation line between transported and non-transported areas, the Office of Student Transportation may extend these distances to coincide with breaks in the pattern of homes, such as cul-de-sac, street intersections, major roadways, streams, parks, walking easements, commercial property, vacant land, unusual contour variations, and other features. These distances will be capped at 0.1 miles at the elementary school, middle and high school levels.

Where applicable, the Office of Student Transportation will identify geographic areas where exceptions are made to the eligibility criteria because of safety reasons. When this occurs, the Office of Student Transportation will notify the appropriate school-based administration of the exception.

Non-transported area information can be found on the HCPSS website’s Transportation page. The school-based administration will notify the parent(s) and student(s) that the student(s) is ineligible for bus transportation services. If a student is not eligible for transportation, it is the parents’ responsibility to determine their child’s method of travel to and from school. While it is the responsibility of the parent to determine their child’s method of travel to and from school, school-based administrators may be able to help connect them to community resources and supports.

All school bus route information will be posted on the HCPSS website’s Transportation page.

Alternate School Bus Service

Space Available School Bus Service

Temporary School Bus Service

School bus stops will be established in compliance with Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 13A.06.07 with consideration given to, but not limited to, safety, efficiency, economics, equity, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Section 504 Plan requirements.

School bus stops will generally be at least 1/4 mile apart.

School bus stops may be established on both sides of a roadway when sight distance and/or traffic conditions warrant.

Off-road school bus stops (loading and unloading zones) will be established whenever possible, consistent with Maryland Vehicle Laws and COMAR 13A.06.07.

School bus routes will be developed using industry accepted standards, including, but not limited to, string routes, circular routes, feeder routes, shuttle routes and double coverage routes.

Prior to the start of each school year, individual school bus times and bus stop locations will be available to parents and students.

Road crossings may require final approval from the Howard County Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Division. The Howard County Office of Transportation should be consulted in any review of road crossings.

The following resources will be used, as appropriate, to help determine suitable pathways, walkways, school bus stops, suitable crossings, bus turnarounds, school bus routes, etc.

Parents who have a concern about their student’s walking route or school bus stop location will contact the Office of Student Transportation to indicate their concern.

If the parent disagrees with the response from the Office of Student Transportation, the parent will be provided a Walking Route and School Bus Stop Appeal form.

Walking Route and School Bus Stop Appeals must be submitted to the Office of Student Transportation in writing, using the Walking Route Appeal Survey or the School Bus Stop Survey forms.

Appeals will be forwarded to the Student Walking Route and Bus Stop Review Committee, who will submit its findings and recommendations to the Superintendent/designee.

The Superintendent/designee will review the committee’s findings and recommendations, as well as those of the Office of Student Transportation, and render a decision that will be communicated to the appellant.

If the appellant is not satisfied with the Superintendent’s decision, a final written appeal may be made to the Board.

Demarcation Line – The boundary line between transported and non-transported areas.

Student Support Team (SST) – A diverse group of school-based educators, that may include school counselors, psychologists, administrators, nurses, and teachers, that meets regularly to discuss the educational and behavioral needs of students. When necessary, this group also collaboratively develops interventions to support the specific needs of students.