CHILD FACES HAZARDS WHILE WALKING TO PICKUP POINT

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Disclaimers and Notices

Child Safety Zones

General Information

School districts are not required to provide door-to-door transportation for any child, not even those in kindergarten. Pickup points can be established, for efficiency and economy reasons.

Some school districts have adopted local policies of picking up all young children at their homes, but the law does not require such service.

The distance between a pupil's home and a pickup point cannot exceed the distance used by the district for determining eligibility for transportation.

The Commissioner of Education has held that parents are legally responsible for the safety of the children while walking between home and a pickup point.

Transportation in Child Safety Zones

Section 3635-b of the Education Law authorizes a board of education, in its discretion, to provide transportation for children who reside within a child safety zone. Such transportation may be provided for children who would not otherwise be eligible because their most direct waking route to school will traverse a hazardous zone. However, a child safety zone can only be established using a point system to assess various hazards, in accordance with New York State Department of Transportation Regulations.

It is important to remember that child safety zone transportation is not required by law. A board of education has complete discretion as to whether or not such transportation will be provided. In addition, voter approval of a separate proposition is required where such transportation will result in an additional cost to the school district.

Child Safety Zone Legislation [Ed Law 3635-b]

Child Safety Zone Application & Point System [17 NYCRR 191]

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