Air Conditioning (A/C) for Special Needs Students
If you are living in a state where the temperature can reach 90 degrees or above, chances are you deal with parents that require their special needs children to ride an A/C bus. However, school buses don't cool down like a car does. Many parents complain that the A/C in the bus is not cold enough and requires their children to be in a bus that has a certain cooling temperature which is typically a degree the A/C in the bus can't produce. With the economy being the way it is, districts don't want to "contract out" bus service, if they have their own bussing services, as contracts are very expensive. My question is: IDEA specifically states that we must provide transportation services, if the child needs it to attend their education. Are we under any obligation to meet the needs of the parent's request for a certain cooling temperature inside the bus (even if a doctor's note is given)?
Discussion started by The Supervisor , on 794 days ago
You need to be a member of this group before you can participate in this discussion
If there is no law, regulation, or district policy that requires an air conditioned bus for everyone, then you are obligated to provide A/C to a student with a disability only if he or she needs the cooling as a result of the disabling condition. Even if you are a provided with a doctor's note, you can have the parent complete a release form to enable you to talk with the doctor and (1) determine the basis for the note - what is the real need and why? and (2) discuss with the doctor the inability of the bus to reach the stated temperature and (3) discuss options for transporting the child in a safe and appropriate manner.
A couple of thoughts come to mind. You can offer to pay the parent to transport if they have a car and that is an option for them.
Also, you can speak to the physician himself to inquire as to the specific climate control needs of the student.
You do have to transport if it is in the student's IEP...just not sure how far "reasonable accommodations" go with this one. Hopefully Peggy Burns will give us some insight when she returns from the CASTO conference.
Marisa
Also, you can speak to the physician himself to inquire as to the specific climate control needs of the student.
You do have to transport if it is in the student's IEP...just not sure how far "reasonable accommodations" go with this one. Hopefully Peggy Burns will give us some insight when she returns from the CASTO conference.
Marisa