1. (1) The board establishes as policy that the administration of the Montana school for the deaf and blind shall provide for each residential student the most cost-effective and convenient method of transportation to and from home each scheduled travel weekend during the time when school is in session.

2. (2) The superintendent of the school for the deaf and blind shall determine the appropriate means of transportation applying the following criteria:

   1. (a) Preference shall be given to scheduled commercial air or ground carriers where such transportation will not unduly inconvenience the student or his family and where student supervisors will not be required.

      1. (i) In assessing inconvenience to the student and his family, the superintendent shall consider the amount of time the student is enroute and the distance the family must travel to meet the student at the termination of commercial carrier service.
      2. (ii) The superintendent may provide scheduled ground transportation service only through a carrier certified by the public service commission.

   2. (b) When transportation by scheduled commercial air or ground carrier is not available, or is inappropriate, the superintendent may choose to transport residential students on either school buses as defined in section 20-10-101 MCA, chartered commercial aircraft, or through individual transportation contracts with parents. When entering into individual transportation contracts with the parents or guardians of a student, the superintendent must follow the guidelines for special education transportation established by the state of Montana. The individual transportation contract shall provide reimbursement at the current rate set for special education transportation individual contracts.

      1. (i) In chartering aircraft, the superintendent may contract only with F.A.A. approved Part 135 operators who hold a commercial operation certificate of issuance with the Montana board of aeronautics.
      2. (ii) The superintendent may charter single-engine aircraft, weather and time-of-day permitting. Twin-engine aircraft shall be used where weather or time-of-day require.
      3. (iii) The superintendent shall assign supervisors from the school for the deaf and blind to accompany students on charter flights when deemed appropriate and when number of passengers and size of aircraft permit.

Authorizing statute(s): Sec. 20-8-121 MCA

Implementing statute(s): Sec. 20-8-121 MCA

History: NEW, 1987 MAR p. 2146, Eff. 11/28/87; AMD, 1991 MAR p. 1554, Eff. 3/15/91.