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Committee narrows idling policy language, will keep statutory bus exception and add signage guidance
Summary
Policy language on idling vehicles will be revised to clarify that buses may be excepted where statute requires it; committee also asked staff to add administrative guidance on signage and principal reminders in newsletters.
The committee reviewed Policy 86-15 on school buses and other idling vehicles and agreed to remove blanket references that could create enforcement issues while keeping statutory exceptions for buses.
Why it matters: The policy seeks to limit vehicle idling on school property to reduce emissions and protect student health, but committee members said enforcement is easier for district-controlled vehicles (buses) than for private vehicles on school property.
Discussion: Members suggested simplifying the title or language to say "vehicles" where appropriate, but staff noted a state statute requires preserving a bus exception. The committee asked that where the policy requires signage, the wording be changed from "shall" to "may" in places where signage is only needed if a local site requires it. Several participants urged periodic principal reminders via the weekly administrative newsletter and targeted signage at schools with recurring problems.
Next steps: Staff will revise the policy text to keep the required bus exception (the transcript references statute number spoken as "33 dash 4 dash"), change wording where appropriate, add administrative guidance for signage, and direct principals to include reminders in newsletters; the revised policy will be returned to the board for approval.
Ending: The committee agreed to bring the revised policy to the full board after staff incorporate the statutory exception, change wording about signage to allow site-based discretion, and add an implementation note about principal reminders.
