N.C. issues school charter guidelines

Guidelines and procedures have been established for North Carolina school districts that charter motorcoaches for student transportation. Formulated by a multi-agency task force, the guidelines focus on three steps: conducting a prequalification background check, preparing a trip con-tract and performing a pre-trip review. The task force included representatives from the North Carolina Motorcoach Association, the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Public Instruction's pupil transportation section and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A parent also served on the committee, which was formed in June 2000. Earlier this year, a motorcoach chartered by a North Carolina school district crashed near Kingsland, Ga., while en route to a music competition in Florida. Several students were injured, some seriously. To download the guidelines, go to itre.ncsu.edu/PT/DPI/download.html and click on the link called "Motorcoach Recommended Guidelines and Procedures."