Pleasant Local School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

8600.01 - BUS IDLE

The Board of Education recognizes that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states diesel exhaust from idling school buses can accumulate in and around the bus and pose a health risk to children, drivers and the community at large. Exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung damage and respiratory problems. Diesel exhaust also exacerbates asthma and existing allergies, and long-term exposure is thought to increase the risk of lung cancer. Idling buses also waste fuel and financial resources.

The purpose of this policy is to eliminate all unnecessary idling by the District’s owned and/or leased buses such that idling time is minimized in all aspects of school bus operations.

The Transportation Supervisor is directed to immediately implement the following guidance:

 A.School bus drivers shall turn off their buses as soon as practical when arriving at loading or unloading areas in order to eliminate idling time and reduce harmful emissions. The school bus shall not be restarted until it is ready to depart and there is a clear path to exit the pick up area. Exceptions include conditions that would compromise passenger safety, such as a) extreme weather conditions or b) idling in traffic.
 B.At the school bus garage premises, drivers shall limit the idling time during early morning warm-up to five (5) minutes in all but the coldest weather when buses may run long enough to clear windows and proceed safely.
 C.Bus shall not idle more than five (5) minutes when waiting for students on regular bus routes.
 D.Buses shall be permitted to idle while waiting for students during field trips, extra-curricular activities during cold weather as necessary to maintain heat.
 E.In colder weather, schools are directed to provide a space inside buildings where drivers who arrive early may wait.
 F.When the outside temperature is below 34°, the bus may be idled using the high idle switch and/or mechanical lever so that the engine idles at no more than 1300 RPM. The "warmed" bus is to enter the loading zone as close to pick-up time as possible to maintain warmth and then shut down.
 G.All service delivery vehicles shall turn off engines while making deliveries to school buildings.
 H.All drivers shall receive a copy of this policy before the start of each school year and shall acknowledge such receipt by their signature.

Adopted 7/14/08