The student's IEP team determines the need for special education transportation.

No, special education students will be transported on regular buses and on regular routes whenever possible. Special education students who are able to attend school in their home attendance center, ride a regular school bus and live within 2.5 miles of their school will pay the transportation fee.

Free transportation for special education students will be provided when a student's physical, emotional or behavioral condition warrants it, or when it is necessary to transport a student to a school other than his or her home attendance center.

Common situations include:

• When a physical challenge requires a special lift bus.
  
  
• When a student is assigned to a program at a school that is not in his or her home school attendance area.
  
  
• When special education students need transportation to work sites.
  
  
• For preschool students with special education IEPs.
  
  
• When a gifted education student needs to be transported to another school for higher level class offerings.
  
  
• For students who are approved by the IEP Team for the Extended School Year Program.
  
  

Blue Valley Schools contracts with a primary service provider for the transportation of special education students. The district may also employ additional providers to transport many of our 18-21 and CDOP students.

A Special Education Transportation Request Form must be completed and forwarded to the Transportation Office at the District Office. The Transportation Office then forwards the request to the service provider to place the student on a route.

Transportation services will be started as quickly as possible. The normal time allotted is three school days from the receipt of the Special Education Transportation Request Form by the Transportation Office.

The district's contracted service provider will contact the parent to confirm bus route information and pick-up time. They will also notify the District Transportation Office who in turn will notify the teacher that transportation has been set up.