Exceptions To Regular Transportation

Long-Term Exceptions
(Click here for a Printable Long-Term Transportation Request Form)
Requests for transportation to and from an address other than the home address must be applied for in writing by the parent or legal guardian submitted not later than April 1 preceding the next school year, provided, however, a parent or guardian of a child not residing in the District on such date shall submit a written request within 30 days after establishing residence in the District. All requests are to be sent to the Director of Transportation who will approve/disapprove the request based on the following

1) Consistent a.m. and consistent p.m. stops, Monday–Friday, for entire school year.
2) No route changes nor added bus stops are required if request is past August 1.

The ESM Board of Education has agreed to adopt alternative transportation, such as transportation to child care locations, provided that it is understood that the furnishing of transportation pursuant to Education Law Section 3635 limits the provision of such transportation to child care location located within the attendance zone of the school the child attends, and to child day care centers and school age child care programs licensed or registered pursuant Section 390 of the Social Service Law located anywhere within the School District.

Short-Term Exceptions
Requests for transportation to and from an address other than the home address may be approved by the principal and the Director of Transportation on a short-term or temporary basis for verified hardship, e.g., hospitalization of a parent. Each request shall be for a period of two weeks or less. After two weeks, parent or guardian must submit another request by the last day of the prior request. Approval of such requests is dependent upon meeting conditions (a) no bus route change is required; (b) no added bus stop is required; (c) no change of attendance boundaries is required. The Director of Transportation may deviate from these conditions as required.

Joint Custody Exceptions
Divorced or separated parents may have their child get on or off the bus at either parent's home located within the school district, with the written consent of the custodial parent. The pick up/drop off point in the morning and/or afternoon must be consistent on a weekly (5 consistent days) basis. The home school will be determined by the custodial parents address. Copy of divorce or separation agreement pertaining to custody and visitation must be submitted to the Transportation Department

Change Of Bus Stop Only
Requests for students to use a different existing stop on their assigned bus route may be approved by the principal. Changes for only once or twice a week should be discouraged. However, the building principal will be required, if he/she approves such a change to notify the driver in writing on each date that the change is approved

Expiration
The Transportation provided under the above three conditions expires at the end of the school year in which the request occurs. Parent/guardians are required to resubmit a request for an exception the ensuing school year.

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