Contingency money is set aside for extenuating circumstances that lead to unanticipated expenses.

The bus fleet is maintained through Cap Reserve funds.

No. Colorado School Law prohibits purchasing buses with bond monies.

Yes, we receive funding for voc-ed kids.

The percentage varies from year to year, based on the State Budget.

Yes, we find work through a summer work program.

Before a driver is allowed to transport students, they must fully pass the required Dept. of Education certification. In order to transport any students, driver candidates must receive 80 hours on Instructional Classroom training and 40 hours practical driving training.

Our buses operate from three main terminals:

• North Terminal in Highlands Ranch
• South Terminal in Castle Rock
• East Terminal in Parker

All accidents are investigated by the National Transportation Safety Council (NTSC). NTSC defines a preventable accident as:

“A preventable accident is one in which the driver failed to do everything that reasonably could have been done to avoid the accident.”

What to Do When a Bus Doesn't Come on Time

Students are provided with a student ID that is also functions as a bus ID. All students need to present their student ID on AM and PM rides.

In case the student/bus ID is lost the student must get a new one from their school.

A student can ride a different bus only in extenuating circumstances. In that case, the student's parent must get prior approval by submitting a signed note to the school administration office.

If a student needs a permanent change on his/her assigned route, prior approval must be obtained through the respective terminal first.

Walking distance is determined by administrative policies EEAA and EEAC-R.

Growth in any given area of the district dictates how many bus routes will be established in that area. The Transportation Department adjusts service to meet the needs of students.

Prior to the policy being implemented of allowing drivers to bring their children on school bus routes, we were in a severe bus driver shortage. With this new policy, we were able to recruit and maintain qualified drivers. (Out of 233 drivers, 70 drivers bring their children on the school bus).

The main argument for the exclusion of seatbelts from school buses is that they are not needed. Research of catastrophic accidents of school buses has found that seatbelts actually increased the causality rate either by impeding vehicle evacuation and/or by cutting passengers in half or launching them, with their seat models, into objects in the bus. For more information please read "Why Seatbelts Should Not Be Installed on Large School Buses." School Transportation News (May, 1999): 18,19.

School bus routes are effectively optimized and designed within the parameters of school board policy to address the needs of every eligible student.

As long as we can provide a safe and efficient mode of transportation for the students of Douglas County and provide the type of service our parents expect and students deserve, we will continue to serve our costumers.   

Administrative policy EEAC – School Bus Scheduling and Routing

The Transportation Department believes that advertising on buses is a good idea to generate additional funds that could improve the services of the Department. For now, the district is carefully examining this process.

Parents can contact dispatch for lost and found items left on school buses.

Transporting Special Needs students is determined by the Individualized Education Program (IEP). Those guidelines are established by Colorado Department of Education (CDE), American Disability Act (ADA), and Public Law 504.

Yes!

Students are not required to have safety training. However, we provide safety training for schools that choose to make it available to students. This is a site-based decision.

The main argument for the exclusion of seatbelts from school buses is that they are not needed. Research of catastrophic accidents of school buses has found that seatbelts actually increased the causality rate either by impeding vehicle evacuation and/or by cutting passengers in half or launching them, with their seat models, into objects in the bus. For more information please read "Why Seatbelts Should Not Be Installed on Large School Buses." School Transportation News (May, 1999): 18,19.