Frequently Asked Questions

We offer a Split Custody Transportation Waiver for families with court-ordered parenting plans. However, this is not guaranteed and is subject to strict operational constraints.

To be approved for a split custody waiver, the request must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Court Documentation: A copy of the court-ordered parenting plan or custody agreement must be provided to the district.
    
2. Both Homes in Attendance Area: Both parent/guardian home addresses must be within your student’s school attendance boundary.
    
3. Bus Route Must Already Exist: The bus must already travel past the requested second location or have an existing stop nearby. Routes will NOT be rerouted to accommodate a second stop.
    
4. Consistent Schedule: The rotation between the two households must be on a consistent, predictable schedule (e.g., alternating weeks or set days). Day-to-day or last-minute changes cannot be accommodated.

Note: If an existing route does not serve the second address, the waiver cannot be approved, regardless of the custodial arrangement.

If the second address is not on an existing route, the waiver for that location will be denied. The parent is responsible for transporting the student for that portion of the schedule.

Yes. By law, students in grades K-10 must be instructed annually on the proper way to evacuate a school bus in an emergency. These drills are performed on each route in the early fall. Drivers are also trained in the proper use of emergency exits and procedures.

Yes. All drivers must maintain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with School Bus and Passenger endorsements in good standing. Additionally, drivers:

• Receive 30–40 hours of initial training and eight hours of annual training.
• Must pass a physical exam every two years.
• Are subject to drug and alcohol testing.

No, seat belts are not currently required equipment on school buses. School buses utilize a safety concept called "compartmentalization."

• How it works: Seats are placed close together with high backs and extra padding to absorb energy if a child is thrown against them. This has been the industry standard for safety since the mid-70s.
• Note: Testing is currently underway on a national scale to determine the next generation of child restraints, but no changes have been mandated yet.

Please call the Transportation Office at 320-370-6940 (7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). If your child rides a contractor’s bus, you may also call them directly:

• District Buses (PS): 320-370-6940
• Palmer Bus Service (100-156): 320-204-1189
• Spanier Bus Service (S): 320-251-3313
• Trobec Bus Service (T): 320-251-1202
• Voigt Bus Service (V): 320-253-0510
• Bridge Transportation (B): 320-342-2025

Our goal is to balance safety, efficiency and ride times. Bus stops are centralized based on where students live.

• Cul-De-Sacs & Dead Ends: We generally do not send buses into cul-de-sacs or dead-end roads due to the lack of safe turnaround areas.
• Busy Roads: Some house stops may be made on very busy roads where safety dictates the bus should not stop in traffic.

Walking zones are established by the School Board and measured from the student's residence (end of driveway) to the school property via the shortest reasonably safe walkway.

• Current Distance: One mile for Grades K–12.
• Note: Boundaries for K–5 are often less than one mile due to specific traffic or pedestrian hazards.

While pickup times usually stabilize after the first two weeks of school, circumstances like breakdowns, weather or driver illness can cause delays. We will always make sure a bus arrives.

• Action: If the wait is longer than 15 minutes, please contact Transportation at 320-370-6940 or the specific contractor listed below:
  • District Buses (PS): 320-370-6940
  • Palmer Bus Service (100-156): 320-204-1189
  • Spanier Bus Service (S): 320-251-3313
  • Trobec Bus Service (T): 320-251-1202
  • Voigt Bus Service (V): 320-253-0510
  • Bridge Transportation (B): 320-342-2025

No. For safety reasons, students can only ride their assigned bus. Drivers are not allowed to accept notes from students or parents granting permission to ride a different bus.

Drivers inspect the bus after every route. Found items are kept on the bus for at least one day and can be claimed directly from the driver. After that, you may contact the district garage or the specific bus contractor. Unclaimed items are eventually moved to the lost and found for a few weeks.

It depends; students qualify for specialized transportation when their Individualized Education Program (IEP) team determines it is a necessary "related service" required for the student to access their education. This decision is based on whether the student's specific disability—such as physical mobility issues, severe health conditions or behavioral concerns—prevents them from safely or effectively using the standard transportation provided to general education students. This requires an IEP meeting. Contact your child’s case manager if you want to discuss this further.

No, siblings cannot ride on specialized transportation.

Specialized transportation is a "related service" legally written into an IEP specifically for the child with the disability to ensure they can access their education.