LAC 28:CXIII.1501. Routes: Authority and Responsibilities

A. The term route shall apply to the combined total daily trips (or “runs”) regularly assigned to the bus driver. The statutory authority governing the establishment and continuation of school bus routes in Louisiana is R.S. 17:158 and R.S. 17:497. BESE has been granted the authority under the provisions of R.S. 17:164, et seq., to establish and adopt regulations relating to the operation of school buses in the transportation of students to and from school. These statutes shall be used as a basis in decisions concerning the transportation program in a LEA. B. The primary responsibility for establishing and continuing school bus routes rests with the LEA. Each LEA has the authority to set additional policies that are not in conflict with state or federal regulations. C. LEAs are responsible for maintaining safe, efficient, economical school transportation programs by: 1. establishing and continuing only those routes that are needed to assure timely arrivals and departures within the framework of established school hours; 2. designing routes to achieve maximum utilization of buses and the elimination of unnecessary and duplicated mileage; and 3. consolidating and eliminating bus routes when they are no longer needed.