Note:  This policy only refers to drivers of school vehicles which do not qualify as a school bus or commercial motor vehicle. Policy 810.1 applies to school bus and commercial motor vehicle drivers.

Purpose

The Board recognizes that an employee must be fit to operate a school vehicle to ensure the health and safety of students being transported. The Board also recognizes that an employee impaired by drugs or alcohol who operates district vehicles or transports students poses significant risks to the safety of students and others.

Definition

School vehicle means a motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, designed for carrying no more than ten (10) passengers, including the driver, and used for the transportation of preprimary, primary or secondary school students while registered by or under contract to the school district. The term includes vehicles having chartered, group and party rights under the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and used for the transportation of school children. The term does not include a “school bus” or “commercial motor vehicle.”[1]

Authority

The Board shall implement a drug use and alcohol misuse prevention program for non-CDL drivers who operate school vehicles.

All contracted transportation providers shall implement a drug use and alcohol misuse prevention program for non-CDL drivers who operate school vehicles.[2]

School vehicle drivers shall observe all state and federal laws and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regulations governing traffic safety and school vehicle operation.

The Board prohibits school vehicle drivers from texting and from using a handheld mobile telephone or other electronic device while driving a school vehicle except when it is necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services.[3]

Delegation of Responsibility

The Superintendent or designee shall develop administrative regulations to implement this policy and the requirements of law, which may include the following components:
 

1. Establishment of procedures for drug and alcohol testing of school vehicle drivers.
    
2. Establishment of procedures for obtaining and reviewing each school vehicle driver’s driving record to determine whether the driver meets the minimum requirements for safe driving and is not disqualified to operate a vehicle.[4]
    

The Superintendent or designee shall provide each driver, upon hire or transfer, with:
 

1. This policy and any accompanying administrative regulations; and
    
2. Educational materials related to misuse of alcohol and use of controlled substances.
    

The Superintendent or designee shall also provide notice to representatives of employee organizations of the availability of this information.

Guidelines

School vehicle drivers shall comply with the requirements for background checks/certifications and employment history reviews in accordance with applicable law, Board policy and administrative regulations. These requirements are addressed separately in Board policy 304 for drivers employed by the district and Board policy 818 for drivers employed by an independent contractor.[2][5][6][7][8][9]

Prior to employment and at least once each school year, school vehicle drivers shall submit a copy of a valid driver’s license to the Superintendent or designee.[4]

Reporting Requirements

School vehicle drivers shall report misconduct in accordance with Board policy 317 for drivers employed by the district and Board policy 818 for drivers employed by an independent contractor.[2][10]

School vehicle drivers using controlled substances prescribed for therapeutic purposes by a licensed medical practitioner shall submit the practitioner’s written statement that the prescribed substance will not adversely affect the employee’s ability to safely operate a school vehicle.

School vehicle drivers shall also inform their supervisors of any use of drug(s) or medication(s) for which the packaging includes warnings that, “marked drowsiness may occur and/or be careful when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery.”

A school vehicle driver arrested, charged with or issued a citation for violating a federal or state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control in this or any other state or any federal, provincial, territorial or municipal law relating to motor vehicle traffic control in Canada, other than parking violations, shall notify the Superintendent or designee in writing before the end of the next business day following the driver's arrest, charge or receipt of citation. Notice is required no matter what type of vehicle the driver was driving.

An employee who has provided timely notification of an arrest, citation or charge shall not be terminated or otherwise disciplined by the district or contract carrier based solely on the allegations underlying the arrest, citation or charge reported by the employee. Termination or other disciplinary action based on the underlying misconduct may be taken only where there has been a conviction of the violation, or where there is independent evidence of the underlying misconduct warranting termination or other discipline. This shall not preclude suspension, reassignment or other action pending resolution of the charges reported by the employee, nor disciplinary action up to and including termination for failure to provide timely notice of an arrest, citation or charge.[2][10]

A school vehicle driver who is convicted of violating a federal or state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control in this or any other state or any federal, provincial, territorial or municipal law relating to motor vehicle traffic control in Canada, other than parking violations, shall notify the Superintendent or designee and the contract carrier in writing of the conviction within fifteen (15) days of the date of conviction. Notice is required no matter what type of vehicle the driver was driving.

Any school vehicle driver whose operating privilege is suspended, revoked, canceled or recalled by any state, shall notify the Superintendent or designee and the contract carrier immediately upon reporting to work for the next scheduled shift following the notice of the suspension, revocation, cancellation, loss or disqualification.[4]