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1. Statement of Policy

The Manchester School Board believes that the safety of students while being transported to and from school or school activities is of utmost importance and is the primary responsibility of the driver of the vehicle. To fulfill such a responsibility, each driver, as well as others who perform safety-sensitive functions with commercial vehicles that transport students, must be mentally and physically alert at all times while on duty. To that end, the Board of School Committee has established this policy related to the fitness for duty of transportation personnel.

2. Medical Examination of School Bus Operators

In accordance with RSA 200:37, before employing any person as a school bus operator, directly or through a vendor, the Manchester School District shall require that such persons submit a certificate signed by a licensed physician setting forth the physician’s findings as a result of the examination to determine the physical condition of drivers in accordance with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 391.41-391.49.  Such certificate shall be submitted to the Manchester School District prior to the commencement of such employment and the Manchester School District shall retain a copy of such certification. Every 2 years thereafter, either prior to the commencement of the school year or prior to the reemployment of such persons as a school bus operator, the Manchester School District shall require submission of a like certificate, except that school bus operators attaining the age of 70 shall be required to undergo an annual examination and to submit a certificate annually.

3. School Bus Driver’s Certificate

No person shall be employed as a school bus operator, directly or through a vendor, unless the person has received a School Bus Driver’s Certificate from the NH Department of Motor Vehicles as required by RSA 263:29.

4. Criminal Background Investigation

Before employing any person as a school bus operator, directly or through a vendor, the Manchester School District shall require a criminal background investigation as set forth in RSA 189:13-a and Manchester School District policy. If the school bus operators are employed directly by the Manchester School District, then the employee will pay for the investigation. If the Manchester School District contracts with a vendor to provide student transportation services, either the vendor or the bus operator will pay for the investigation at the discretion of the vendor.

5. Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing

In compliance with the United States Department of Transportation’s Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 391, all CDL holders and personnel performing safety-sensitive functions related to the transportation of the students of the Manchester School District will be required to submit to drug and alcohol testing. Testing procedures and facilities used for the tests shall conform to the requirements of the 49 C.F.R. Part 40. The term “CDL holder” means someone who is required as part of their job duties to hold a Commercial Driver’s License. The term “safety-sensitive function” refers to all tasks associated with the operation and maintenance of commercial vehicles. A “commercial vehicle” is any vehicle capable of carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.

If the Manchester School District employs the transportation personnel directly, the Manchester School District will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements. If the Manchester School District contracts with a vendor to provide student transportations services, the vendor shall be the employer and provide assurance to the District on an annual basis that they are in compliance with the Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing requirements.

The Drug and Alcohol Testing will include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing as defined by Department of Labor Regulations. The Manchester School District supports a zero-tolerance policy related to substance abuse. Therefore, any personnel who have a confirmed positive test for drugs or a confirmed alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater will be terminated from employment.

Legal References:

RSA 200:37, Medical Examination of School Bus Operators

RSA 263:29, School Bus Driver’s Certificate

RSA 189:13-a, School Employee & Volunteer Background Investigations

49 C.F.R. § 40.1-40.13 (2001), Transportation Workplace Drug Testing Program

49 C.F.R. Part 391 (1995), Qualifications of Drivers

Appendix EEAEA-R

NHSBA Code EEAEA

First Reading Coordination: 8/14/2018

Second Reading and. Approval BOSC: 08/27/2018