PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

    Health, Safety & Transportation

Nadine Eiring, Director

(516) 937-6312  Fax (516) 937-6313 E-mail: neiring@pob.k12.ny.us

1

AHERA 

    Annual

    Notification

Who determines eligibility?
Eligibility is determined by the Board of Education.

How are the residence/school distances determined?
Residence/school distances are determined by the Transportation Department using the shortest walking route. NOTE: Driving distances are not used to calculate eligibility.

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Distance from Residence to School

Driver & Escort Qualifications

Contract Vendors List General & Special Education

  DRIVER & ESCORT QUALIFICATIONS

   DRIVERS MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING: 

• Electronic Fingerprinting

• 19-A Final Qualification Letter

• Criminal History Check Letter (WITHIN 60 DAYS)

• Physical Performance Test (WITHIN 60 DAYS)

         According to section 6.11 of the regulations of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles (15

        NYCRR 6.11) each driver shall have a physical and a mental ability test to determine if

        he or she can safely operate a school bus and can perform the other responsibilities of

        a school bus driver. This exam is given once every two years

• Medical Examination with DATE written (WITHIN 90 DAYS) and PPD. If PPD is positive the results of a Chest X-Ray within 1 year of the application date are required.

  Every bus driver must submit to an annual medical examination by an New York State licensed physician who is not his/her personal physician.

  Each medical examination must include tests for hearing, vision, tuberculosis, and all other conditions, illnesses, and/or diseases.

  Annual physicals are part of the regular monitoring process. All bus drivers must meet the requirements of the New York State Education Commissioners regulations stated at 8(A) N.Y.C.R.R. Section 156.3 (c) and the New York State Motor Vehicles Commissioner’s regulations stated at 15 (A) N.Y.C.R.R. Sections 6.11 and 6.12.

• Drug Test Results (WITHIN 60 DAYS)

          Plainview Old Bethpage Central School District is recognized as having the strictest standards. The

          Office of Pupil Transportation has established a “Zero Tolerance Drug Policy ” with respect to the

          presence, use,  and/or abuse of controlled substances and/or drugs in any aspect of the

          performance by the Contractors or its employees. Every bus driver must submit to a pre-

          employment drug test at the time of the approval process. In addition, drivers are required to submit

          to random, post accident, and reasonable suspicion drug tests in accordance with the Department

          of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration 49

• Abstract from DMV—19-A active, if not driver should have an add on to roster letter from DMV

          Every bus driver must have a currently valid, appropriate operators license for the type of vehicle

          he/she operates. A conditional or restricted use license is not acceptable.

          Annually, an abstract of the driver’s official vehicle operating record from the New York State

          Department of Motor Vehicles  is required to be submitted to the Plainview Old Bethpage Central

          School District’s transportation office.

• Pre-Service Training

         Each bus driver must comply fully with the Regulations of the New York State

       commissioner of Education stated at 8(A) N.Y.C.R.R. 156.3(d) (2) pertaining to training

        and instruction. 

• Each driver will receive two hours of instruction in school bus safety practices prior to the start of service

• Each driver transporting handicapped children must receive an additional hour of instruction concerning the special needs of a handicapped child prior to the start of service

• Each driver must receive  two hours of refresher instruction in school bus safety twice a year.

• In addition, during the first year of employment, each driver must complete a 30-hour course on school bus safety.

• Behind the Wheel Road Test (WITHIN 60 DAYS OF CERTIFICATION)
• Article 19-A Oral/Written Test (WITHIN 60 DAYS OF CERTIFICATION)
• 30 Hour Certificate (WITHIN A YEAR OF CERTIFICATION)
• Spring / Fall Refresher Certificate
• 2 Pieces of ID required: Driver’s License and Social Security Card. If not a citizen, Green Card or Resident Card
• Defensive Driving Course (WITHIN 60 DAYS OF CERTIFICATION)
• 3 Letters of Reference
  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
    From: The State of New York - Department of Motor Vehicles

  ESCORT MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

• Fingerprinting
• Physical Performance Test (WITHIN 60 DAYS)

          According to section 6.11 of the regulations of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles (15 NYCRR

          6.11) each driver shall have a physical and a mental ability test to determine if he or she can safely

          operate a school bus and can perform the other responsibilities of a school bus driver.

         This exam is given once every two years

• Medical Examination with DATE written (WITHIN 90 DAYS) and PPD. If PPD is positive the results of a Chest X-Ray within 1 year of the application date are required.

          Every Escort must submit to an annual medical examination by an New York State

        licensed physician who is not his/her personal physician. Each medical examination

        must include tests for hearing, vision, tuberculosis, and all other conditions, illnesses,

        and/or diseases. Annual physicals are part of the regular monitoring process. All 

        Escorts must meet the requirements of the New York State Education Commissioners

        regulations stated at 8(A) N.Y.C.R.R. Section 156.3 (c) and the New York State Motor

        Vehicles Commissioner’s regulations stated at 15 (A) N.Y.C.R.R. Sections 6.11 and

        6.12., except those physical fitness requirements limited only to driving operations.

• Spring / Fall refresher Certificate

• Escort CITY Training Certificate: ACTUAL CERTIFICATE ONLY

• Escort STATE Training Certificate: ACTUAL CERTIFICATE ONLY

• Pre-service Training

• Red Cross Training Certificate

• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate

• 3 Letters of Reference

• 2 Pieces of ID required: Driver’s License or Picture ID and Social Security Card. If not a citizen, Green Card or Resident Card.

• Each special education escort must be thoroughly reliable, fully competent, and at least 21 years of age.

  Each escort must be properly qualified by training to perform his or her duties.

  • Prior to employment, each special education escort must undergo and complete a minimum of 20 hours of basic training concerning the transportation, supervision, and care of special education children.

  • When required, a full, complete, and approved official certificate from the American Red Cross attesting to the successful completion of specialized training.

  • Each escort must meet the requirements for a successful completion of refresher courses as required.

 escort/MATRON qualifications:

Must each have a registered, minimum total seating capacity with seat belts of fifteen special education passengers with the following seating configurations: eight students who use wheelchairs, seven ambulatory passengers, and one escort. The seating configurations are subject to change depending on the needs of the children aboard the vehicle. Each vehicle is designed so that the driver and escort can assist a pupil in a wheelchair into and out of the vehicle by use of the lift without any discomfort or danger to the pupil. Each vehicle must be equipped with tie-down passive restraint devices to anchor each wheelchair securely to the vehicle.

Ramp Wagon - must each have a registered, minimum total seating capacity for seven special education passengers including the escort with the following seating configurations: three or four students with wheelchairs, three ambulatory passengers, and one matron or attendant. The seating configurations are subject to change depending on the needs of the children aboard the vehicle. Each vehicle is designed so that a driver and escort can assist a pupil in a wheelchair into and out of the vehicle by use of the ramp without any danger or discomfort to the pupil. Each vehicle must be equipped with tie-down passive restraint devices to anchor each wheelchair securely to the vehicle.

Mini-Wagon - must each have a registered, minimum total seating capacity with seat belts for fifteen special education passengers and an escort. The seating capacities are subject to change depending on the needs of the children aboard the vehicle.

Special Education Standard School Buses - must have a minimum seating capacity of thirty-six students with seat belts excluding the driver and escort. These buses are equipped with entrance and exit doors on both sides of the vehicles for easy access to the sidewalk regardless of the street conditions. The seating capacities are subject to change depending on the needs of the children aboard the vehicle.

General Education Standard School Buses - must have a minimum seating capacity of sixty students excluding the driver.

 Contract Vendors List general and special education

Bus Vendor List

To protect the safety and welfare of children, all bus companies must employ only persons of good moral character to drive school buses. Every Special Education Vehicle has a matron/escort. A school bus escort is responsible for assisting special education children during their ride to and from school. A matron/escort  is required to assist each child from the bus to the front door of the school.

WE TRANSPORTATION          (516) 349-0905 MEG

SUBURAN BUS                        (516) 781-5484 PHIL

LAIDLAW/FIRST STUDENT    (516) 433-7600 LYNNE

ANYTIME BUS                         (516) 333-1800 IZZY

ACME BUS                               (631) 789-0008 PAM

                                                (516) 827-5500 MIKE

Coach Vendor List

Coach Service is intended for round trip transportation of students and adults on school trips within the five boroughs, interstate and out of state from all the schools and offices under the jurisdiction of the Plainview Old Bethpage Central School District. Coach buses can be equipped with or without restrooms.  The following is a list of approved Coach Vendors that staff must utilize when a charter coach service is required.  The contractors listed below all have drivers who are 19A certified and adhere to random drug testing.  The vehicles all meet NYS DOT regulations and ICC regulations.  For further information please contact the Transportation Department (516) 937-6312.

Best Trails & Travel                                     One If By Land

119 West 25^th Street                                        41-45 150^th Street

New York, New York 10010                          Flushing, New York 11355

(212) 206-6974                                               (718) 886-3380

(718) 875-7437 FAX                                      (718) 886-3353 FAX

Coach One, Inc                                              Paradise Travel, Inc.

PO Box 825                                                     102 Lauman Lane

Medford, New York 11763                             Hicksville, New York 11801

(631) 369-4930                                               Lauren LeBron

Tony DeMarco                                     (516) 870-0558

                                                                        (516) 870-0488 FAX

Coach USA                                                     Schoolman Transportation

150 S. Route 17 North                         Classic Coach Lines

Paramus, NJ 07652                                          1600 Locust Avenue

(800) 877-1888 x 703                                     Bohemia, New York 11716

(201) 225-7501                                               (631) 567-8687 Dolores

                                                                        (631) 244-9006

Fantastic Tours

6143 Jericho Turnpike

Commack, NY 11725

(800) 552-6262 X 27 Richard Marx

(631) 462-6262

(631) 462-2311 FAX

Hampto Jitney

395 Country Road

Suite 6

South Hampton, New York 11968

(631) 283-4600

M & V Limousines

1117 Jericho Trunpike

Commack, New York 11725

(631) 543-0908

(631) 543-0856