Re: how weird is this? (Driving to school)

August 30, 2004

My 3.5 yr old son is in a HOH program through an inter-district transfer in a

nearby school district (because San Unified does not have an equivalent

program). It always takes them a minimum of 1 week (in one case 12 school

days!) to get transportation figured out and we have to drive for that period.

This happens every quarter (details below).

Can anyone point me to any legal requirements that the school district must meet

for transportation performance, so I can direct them to the same?

The usual routine is:

a) we get a call or note from the bus driver announcing a pick up time

this is almost always wrong because it is based on SJ Unified's dates and

times [we didn't catch it last Wednesday so my son got a 20 minute bus ride

early in the morning before we realized his school doesn't start till today]

c) we tell the transportation co. (Durham) about the schedule

d) they refuse to do anything till SJ Unified notifies them

e) SJ Unified won't do anything till the other school district notifies them

f) SJ unified eventually notifies Durham

g) finally we get it figured out but by then the schedules are all locked in.

My son has ended up on a 1+ hour bus ride (for a 4 mile distance from home to

school).

Does this violate FAPE?

Rajeev

ph Enriquez wrote:

I had to drive my son to school for the first 4 days this year because they

didn't have a car seat, or a harnes or anything to keep him in the seat. It's

not even a school bus it is a private contractor. Apparently the school told

them that he was a full time wheelchair user, instead of an occasional

wheelchair user. Last year I was supposed to call and set up transportation but

they didn't give me the info until when school started and I didn't have a

vehicle to drive him in so he missed two weeks of school while waiting for it to

get set up.

August 31, 2004

I would start writing letters. Document the situation. Include your attempts

to prevent this from happening. (I would also discuss in your son's IEP meeting

or at least with your coordinator.) I would point out the missed days and how

they plan to make them up. (You may not really want to bother but it seems to

get attention if it might cost them something.) You also could request

transportion reimbursement if you took him any days. My guess is that if you

write to all the parties involved (both districts and copy the state special ed

dept.) that you will get some phone numbers and names. You may still have to

make phone calls prior to each quarter but at least you will have a ride for

your son.

I would point out all of the " things " that your son misses by not being there

the first day/week. Classroom rules, introductions, etc. include missed

instruction time (group and 1 on 1). I always ask if this would be ok for other

kids? And then how can it be ok for my child?

Have you read slaw, From emotions to advocacy, a parent's guide to special

education? It helped me understand the " game " we must play for our children's

educational future.

Mom to 11, 7 (n24 4/00) and 4

We are providing transportation and our school district pays the tuition. 1.5+

hours on a bus each way vs. 30 minutes for seemed like a better solution

(yes, I spend 1 hour on each trip but right now 's time to learn to talk

is worth all of my time.) I am in a good district and appreciate their help (we

moved from Arkansas to St. Louis) in providing an oral education for .

My 3.5 yr old son is in a HOH program through an inter-district transfer in a

nearby school district (because San Unified does not have an equivalent

program). It always takes them a minimum of 1 week (in one case 12 school

days!) to get transportation figured out and we have to drive for that period.

This happens every quarter (details below).

August 31, 2004