710: EXTRACURRICULAR TRANSPORTATION

Adopted:     10/19/15        
REPLACED POLICY #6003
Revised:      9/19/22      

I.    PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to make clear to students, parents, and staff the school district’s policy regarding extracurricular transportation.

II.    GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

The determination as to whether to provide transportation for students, spectators, or participants to and from extracurricular activities shall be made solely by the school district administration.  This determination shall include, but is not limited to, the decision to provide transportation, the persons to be transported, the type or method to be utilized, all transportation scheduling and coordination, and any other transportation arrangements or decisions.  Employees who are involved in extracurricular activities shall be advised by the administration as to the transportation arrangements made, if any.

III.    ARRANGEMENT OF EXTRACURRICULAR TRANSPORTATION

School district employees shall not undertake independent arrangement, scheduling, or coordination of transportation for extracurricular activities unless specifically directed or approved by the school district administration.  All transportation arrangements made by a school district employee must be approved by a building administrator.  If the school district makes no arrangements for extracurricular transportation, students who wish to participate are responsible for arranging for or providing their own transportation. 

Students will be expected to ride district arranged transportation both to and from the activity.  In the event a parent wishes to take their student with them after the activity the following expectations need to be met.

a.    A written permission should be provided to the activities director and the coach in advance of the activity.
b.    If the request to take their student with them occurs at the activity the request must be made by the parent face to face with the coach.  The coach may require a written sign out authorization from the parent.
c.    If the parent requests that their student be released to another parent, that request must be received in writing in advance of the activity.

IV.    NO EMPLOYEE TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS WITH PERSONAL VEHICLES

An employee must not use a personal vehicle to transport one or more students except as provided herein. However, employees may make appropriate transportation arrangements for students as necessary in an emergency or other unforeseeable circumstance.

In a nonemergency situation, an employee must get prior, written approval from the administration before transporting a student in a personal vehicle.  If a school vehicle is available, the employee will use the school vehicle.  The administration has the sole discretion to make a final determination as to the appropriate use of a personal vehicle to transport one or more students.

If any emergency transportation arrangements are made by employees pursuant to this section, the relevant facts and circumstances shall be reported to the administration as soon thereafter as practicable.

All vehicles used to transport students shall be properly registered and insured.

V.    FEES

In its discretion, the school district may charge fees for transportation of students to and from extracurricular activities conducted at locations other than school, where attendance is optional.

Legal References:    Minn. Stat. § 123B.36 (Authorized Fees)
Minn. Stat. § 169.011, Subd. 71(a) (Definitions)
Minn. Stat. § 169.454, Subd. 13 (Type III Vehicle Standards)

Cross References:    MSBA/MASA Model Policy 610 (Field Trips)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 709 (Student Transportation Safety Policy)