Board adopts student transportation rule changes, extends implementation deadline to Aug. 15

The New Jersey State Board of Education voted to adopt amendments to the student transportation rules (NJAC 6A:27) that clarify aid calculations for nonpublic school students, permit some school personnel to transport students in personal or district vehicles (with narrower certification requirements than school bus drivers), and change an implementation deadline from July 15 to Aug. 15.

Dave Corso and Alan Dupree of the department summarized the changes, saying the rule updates were prompted by stakeholder feedback. "One of the amendments will clarify the calculation of aid payments for nonpublic school students," a presenter said, and a separate rule will allow districts to designate certain school personnel to drive students in private or district vehicles while exempting them from certifications that apply to school buses and drivers.

Board members asked whether the later deadline would create gaps for districts that begin school early and how background checks and vetting would operate. Department speakers said the provision applies narrowly to employees who are already school personnel and who have previously undergone standard background checks, so districts should not face added processing burdens. "They're already school employees...so it's not additional processing," a department representative said.

The board moved to adopt the rules at the adoption stage. The motion passed with one abstention and no recorded opposition.

The adopted rule text and supporting materials are posted in the board packet for the public record.