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Charles County schools outline rules for vans, alternative student transport
Summary
Charles County Public Schools staff reviewed state COMAR requirements and local procedures for using vans and other alternative vehicles: driver qualifications, vehicle limits, inspections and expanding video monitoring; board members asked about audio in-vehicle recording and how fines from bus-cam enforcement are handled.
Charles County Public Schools officials on Nov. 24 told the Board of Education they follow state regulations (COMAR) when using vans and other alternative vehicles to transport students for specialized programs, inter-school trips and small athletic outings.
Mike Heim, chief of operations and supporting services, said drivers must meet many of the same standards as certified school bus drivers: they must be at least 21 years old, hold required commercial licenses where applicable, have acceptable driving records (no more than two points under the system Heim described), complete a DOT physical and be enrolled in random drug and alcohol testing. Heim said alternative vehicles are subject to vehicle limits under the regulations—vehicles must be under £10,000 and carry no more than 10 passengers—and must undergo annual inspections by licensed mechanics.
Why it matters: districts increasingly rely on vans for specialized routes and small trips to reduce costs and improve flexibility. That makes driver screening, training and vehicle safety essential safeguards.
Heim said the district requires both pre-trip and post-trip checks by drivers and annual training: "alternative vehicle drivers will do 6 hours of in service annually also," he told the board, while certified bus drivers complete a longer in-person certification and additional in-service hours. Board member Mila Smith asked specifically about training content; Heim said alternative drivers take defensive driving courses online and that the district emphasizes both online modules and some in-class instruction.
The presentation also covered camera installations. Heim clarified that van cameras will record video only: "They're video, not audio," he said. He contrasted that with some school buses, which, he said, include interior audio and video on certain vehicles.
Board members asked who collects fines arising from camera enforcement of bus stop-arm violations. Heim said CCPS entered a memorandum of understanding with Bus Patrol and the Charles County Sheriff's Office to deploy exterior and interior cameras at no cost to the district; fines collected through that enforcement program are split between Bus Patrol and the sheriff’s office, and the school system does not receive those funds.
The board did not take formal action on the transportation presentation; staff said the district is proceeding with camera installation and continued monitoring of driver certifications and vehicle inspections.
