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Board reviews new extracurricular transportation policy after questions about parents taking students home
Summary
Board members reviewed a new policy aligning district procedure with COMAR that requires certified, approved drivers and permits 10‑passenger vans; members asked for clearer wording to allow documented parent pickup and to add a signature requirement if a parent takes a student from an event.
The Garrett County Board of Education reviewed a new EEAFA policy on transporting students to extracurricular activities that the presenter said was revised to match COMAR and requires certified drivers approved by the transportation department.
"Only certified drivers who are approved by the transportation department are permitted to operate vehicles," the presenter said, noting drivers must complete record checks and safe‑school training. The procedure also permits use of 10‑passenger vans and removes a producing‑income section because the district’s insurance covers personal vehicles when used.
Board members questioned the policy’s wording about whether parents could take students home after away games. One board member summarized the concern bluntly: "The way it's worded, it wouldn't allow a parent to take their kid home from a game." Other members clarified that the policy is about staff driving district vehicles and that, in practice, parents may pick up students but the district expects documentation.
Board members asked that the policy language be reviewed and revised to reflect the reality that parents sometimes take children from events and to require documentation—such as a signed form—when a parent or designated adult takes a student. The item was presented as a first read; the policy committee will draft a modification and bring it back to the board at the next meeting.
The board did not adopt a final policy at the meeting; revisions will be circulated to the policy committee before the January vote.
