West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 126 - Education
Title 126 - PROCEDURAL RULE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Series 126-092 - West Virginia School Bus Transportation Regulations, Procedures, and Specifications for the Design and Equipment of School Buses (4336)
Section 126-92-5 - Regulations for Transporting Students with Disabilities Requiring Special Transportation
Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024
5.1. Students with disabilities' Individualized Education Programs (IEP), individualized health care plans, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. No. 93-112 Plans (504 Plan) shall specify the bus modifications and support required for transporting the student, when appropriate.
5.2. When transportation of a student with disabilities necessitates a transfer while en route, appropriate supervision at the point of transfer remains the responsibility of the county board.
5.3. Vehicle requirements for use in transporting students with disabilities shall be guided by this policy.
5.4. The operator and/or the bus aide, when appropriate, shall:
5.5. All operators, including substitutes and any operators who transfer to a bus transporting students with special health care needs, shall receive six hours of initial training for the transportation of students with special health care needs including the requirements of Policy 2422.7. All operators shall receive a minimum of one hour of refresher training that shall be completed annually.
5.6. All aides shall receive six hours initial training in the proper operation of the lift, restraints, emergency equipment, emergency procedures, and proper loading and unloading procedures for students with special health care needs. Any combination of classroom and hands-on training may be utilized. A minimum of one hour of refresher training shall be completed annually. This training is conducted by a WVDE certified trainer.
5.7. Any operator who normally does not operate a bus that transports students with special health care needs and accepts an assignment to transport those students, such as a field trip, shall be responsible for determining the need for refresher training in the proper operation of the lift, restraints, emergency equipment, emergency procedures, and proper loading and unloading procedures of students prior to beginning that assignment.
5.8. The county special education director/designee and/or school nurse shall provide the following information to the county transporation director (county director)/designee, operator, and aide:
5.9. When the IEP, individualized health care plan, or 504 Plan requires that medicine be administered to a student with disabilities while being transported, the procedures shall be in accordance with Policy 2422.7.
5.10. Parents/guardians of students with disabilities, pursuant to the IEP, shall assist in the transportation of their child by:
5.11. The county board shall implement Policy 4373 in conjunction with 126 CSR 16, Policy 2419, Regulations for the Education of Students with Exceptionalities (Policy 2419).
5.12. The county director/designee shall be included in the IEP meeting when special transportation is required.