What is the goal of the Special Education Department in transporting special education students?

The goal of the special education department is to transport the special education student to the required school in the most appropriate way possible.

What is the Board Policy for Special Education Transportation?

Board Policy 5600 states that transportation for students with disabilities will be provided as an auxiliary service when it is needed to enable the student to have access to special education services. The means for providing transportation services for students with disabilities will be determined by the multi-disciplinary school team and will be provided in the most typical manner possible. The district will not transport a student with a disability outside the school district unless specifically required by the student's IEP.

Who determines when special education transportation is needed?

As stated above each school has a multidisciplinary team who determines the need for special education transportation on an individual basis.

Do all special education students receive free transportation?

Not all special education students receive free transportation. Transportation will be provided to all eligible special education students receiving special education services in the most appropriate manner that can be arranged. Special education students will be transported on regular buses and on regular routes whenever possible. Special education students who are able to attend school in their home attendance center, ride a regular school bus, and are within 2.5 miles of their school will pay the transportation fee.

What determines whether or not a special education student is entitled to free transportation?

Free transportation for special education students will be provided when a student's physical, emotional, or behavioral condition warrants it, or when it is necessary to transport a student to a school other than his/her home attendance center.

What are the most common reasons special education transportation is provided at no cost?

• A Physical Challenge - Transportation is provided when a student requires a special lift bus.
• Transportation needed to another school other than the home school - Transportation is provided when a student is assigned to a program at a school that is not in his/her home school attendance area.
• Work Sites - Transportation is provided when special education students need transportation to work sites.
• Preschool Students - Transportation is provided for preschool students with special education IEPs.
• Enrichment Students - Transportation is provided when a student needs to be transported to another school for higher level class offerings.
• Extended School Year Program - Transportation is provided for students who are approved by the IEP Team for the Extended School Year Program.

Who is responsible for transporting special education students?

The Blue Valley School District contracts with a primary service provider for the transportation of special education students. The district may also employ additional providers to transport many of our ACCESS and CDOP students.

When special education transportation has been decided upon, how does the student services team request transportation be started?

A Special Education Transportation Request Form must be completed and forwarded to the Transportation Office at the District Office. The Transportation Office then forwards the request to the service provider to place the student on a route.

How much notice is required by the service provider to start transportation for a special education student?

Transportation services will be started as quickly as possible. The normal time allotted is 3 school days from the receipt of the Special Education Transportation Request Form by the Transportation Office.

Who are the contact personnel for the District Transportation Office and the District's service provider?

District Transportation Office contact
Margaret Gipson
Activities and Transportation Assistant
(913) 239-4294

District's Contracted Service Provider
Laidlaw Transit
(913) 897-2347

How are parents and teachers notified that transportation has been set up for their student?

The District's contracted service provider will contact the parent to confirm bus route information and pick-up time. They will also notify the District Transportation Office who in turn will notify the teacher that transportation has been set up.

Blue Valley Unified School District #229 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of programs or services.