Policy 8100 - Transportation
RISE Charter School contracts with Kimberly School District for all student transportation services. As a result, RISE follows the same transportation policies and procedures established by Kimberly School District, as outlined below. The Board’s primary concerns in providing transportation services are the safety and protection of students.
The District shall provide transportation to and from school for a student who:
- resides at least one and one-half (1½) miles from the nearest appropriate school (determined by the nearest and best route from the junction of the driveway of the student’s home and the nearest public road to the nearest door of the school the student attends or to a bus stop, whichever the case may be); or
- is a student with a disability, whose IEP identifies transportation as a related service;
- in the judgment of the Board, has another compelling and legally sufficient reason to receive transportation services, including the age, health, or safety of the student; or
- the residence of the student is within a “safety bussing” zone as defined by the rules of the State of Idaho.
- resides within the designated boundaries of the student’s home school.
A student may have one designated pick-up location and one designated drop-off location. The pick-up and drop-off may be separate locations. Although the District will not transport students between child care facilities, transportation may be provided to or from the following if the location is within the Kimberly School District and within the boundaries of the student’s home school:
- day care center;
- family day care home;
- group day care facility; or
- relative’s home.
A request for a change of the pick-up or drop-off location may be granted if submitted in writing to the transportation office. Written requests will be considered after a meeting with the transportation director and school administration.
The type of transportation provided by the District may be by a school bus or other vehicle, or by such individual transportation as paying the parent or guardian for individually transporting the student. The Board of Trustees may authorize children attending nonpublic schools to ride a school bus provided that space is available and a fee to cover the per-seat cost for such transportation is collected.
Homeless Student
Homeless students shall be transported in accordance with the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and state law.
Foster Children
The Superintendent or designee shall implement the requirements for ensuring educational stability for all children in foster care. Each provision must emphasize the child’s best interest determination. Written guidelines must provide clarity to each school and staff member governing the transportation protocol for students in foster care. This includes facilitating transportation to the school of origin, when it is in the student’s best interest. Transportation will be provided, arranged, and funded for the duration of time the student remains in foster care.
These procedures must confirm the following:
- Children in foster care needing transportation to the school of origin will promptly receive that transportation in a reasonable and cost-effective manner; and
- If additional costs are incurred in providing transportation to maintain children in foster care in their schools of origin, the District will provide transportation if:
- the local child welfare agency agrees to reimburse the District for the cost of such transportation;
- the District agrees to pay for the cost of such transportation; or
- the District and the local child welfare agency agree to share the cost of such transportation.
Safety
The District shall provide each new school bus driver with a school bus driver training program before allowing them to drive a bus carrying students. The District shall provide all experienced bus drivers with at least ten hours of refresher bus driver training each fiscal year. Such training shall meet the requirements described in the Standards for Idaho School Buses and Operations. Documented training similar to that required by the District may be used to comply with new driver training requirements unless the driver has a gap of more than four years in their previous driving experience.
The Superintendent or designee shall develop written rules establishing procedures for bus safety and emergency exit drills, and for student conduct while riding buses, including for students with special needs.
The District shall ensure that transportation personnel have access to a library of resources to assist them in operating safe and efficient transportation services. These resources shall include:
- Applicable federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations;
- Applicable manuals and guidelines;
- Online access to internet and other resources;
- Applicable trade journals and organizations’ publications.
Cross Reference:
3060 – Education of Homeless Children
8110 – Safety Busing
8120 – Bus Routes, Stops and Non-Transportation Zones
Legal Reference:
I.C. § 33-1501 Transportation Authorized
I.C. § 33-1503 Payments When Transportation Not Furnished
IDAPA 08.02.03.109 Special Education
20 USC § 6312(c) Every Student Succeeds Act
Standards for Idaho School Buses and Operations
Other Reference:
Federal Highway Safety Guideline 17
Idaho Department of Education, Idaho’s School Bus Driver Training Classroom Curriculum
Policy History:
Adopted on: March 18, 2024
Revised on: December 15, 2025
Reviewed on: