Pupil Transportation Guide: A Guide for Massachusetts School Administrators

August 1996

• Letter from the Commissioner
• Guidelines for Student Transportation Planning and Policy Development for School Administrators
• Transportation Policy
• Measurable Distances
• Appeals to Department
• Pupil Transportation Reimbursement
• Day Care Centers — Pupil Transportation
• Summary of General Laws Relevant to School Transportation

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Pupil Transportation Reimbursement

The following pupil transportation scheduling and routing examples are subject to state reimbursement and should be reviewed for safe, efficient and economical school transportation planning.

1. Student is transported to school or regional school district of attendance.
   Distance from residence to school or regional school district of attendance in excess of one and one-half miles in one direction and return is reimbursable under the provisions of Chapter 71, Sections 7A, 7B, 16C or Chapter 71A, Section 8.

   	1-1/2 miles or more
   Residence	------------- > <-------------	School of Attendence
   	1-1/2 miles or more

2. Student is transported from home school (A) located in school district, then to another school (B) located in the school district, and after the completion of an instructional program is returned to school (A). From school (A) the student is transported home.
   1. Distance from home school (A) in excess of 1-1/2 miles one direction and home again is reimbursed under the provisions of Chapter 71, Sections 7A, 7B, 16C or Chapter 74, Section 8A.
   2. Any distance from school (A) to school (B) and return is a shuttle service and subject to reimbursement under the provisions of Chapter 70 as an extension of the pupil's educational program.

   	1-1/2 miles or more		any distance
   Residence	---------- > < ----------	School A	---------- > < ----------	School B
   	1-1/2 miles or more		any distance

3. Student is transported from home to school (A) located in the school district, then to another school (B) located in the school district and finally from school (B) to home.
   1. Distance in excess of 1-1/2 miles one direction from home to school (A) is reimbursable and the distance in excess of 1-1/2 miles one direction from school (B) to home is reimbursable under the provisions of Chapter 71, Sections 7A, 7B, 16C or Chapter 74, Section 8A.
   2. Any distance from school (A) to school (B) is a shuttle service and subject to reimbursement under the provisions of Chapter 70 as an extension of the pupil's educational program.

   	1-1/2 miles or more		any distance
   Residence	------------ >	School A	------------ >	School B
   	1-1/2 miles or more

4. Student is transported to a transfer point or designated marshalling area located in a district to meet other school pupils to be transported to schools of attendance. This process is often repeated to return pupils home upon the completion of the school day.

   The distance in excess of 1-1/2 miles one direction from home to school and return is reimbursable under the provisions of Chapter 71, Sections 7A, 7B, 16C or Chapter 74, Section 8A.

   	residence to school 1-1/2 miles or more
   Residence	----------- >	School A
   	residence to school 1-1/2 miles or more
   Residence	Feeder Area	School B
   	residence to school 1-1/2 miles or more
   Residence	----------- >	School C

Last Updated: August 1, 1996