BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS 501
2182P
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION
The Superintendent shall designate a staff member to be in charge of the District's traffic safety education program.
All traffic safety education instructors shall use the District's adopted curriculum and instructional materials for traffic safety education. Instructors must hold valid Traffic Safety Education Certificates.
Each student enrolled in a traffic safety program shall meet the objectives and competencies listed in the District curriculum as a condition of successful completion of the program.
Students must be at least 15½ years of age by the first day of class to be considered for regular enrollment. Students at least 15 years of age may enroll if space is available after all students at least 15½ years of age by the first day of class have had an opportunity to enroll. Students living in the Bellingham School District who are enrolled in private schools, home-schooled children, and students who have received a certificate of educational competence (GED) shall have equal access to enroll in Traffic Safety Education. Enrollment criteria in descending order of priority are: (a) grade level in school—12 th grade being the highest, and (b) date and time of registration.
The fee for traffic safety education will be set by dividing the non-reimbursed cost of the program by the number of students projected to enroll. In the event that the fee generates money beyond that necessary to support the program during that fiscal year, the excess money will be applied to future traffic safety education program needs. If the excess portion of the fee exceeds 25% of the total fee, students will be notified that they may be refunded the difference. Any non-refunded amounts will be accrued to support future traffic safety education program needs. Each student will be required to pay the established fee at the time of enrollment unless a fee subsidy or waiver program has been implemented by the state. To be eligible for a refund of the paid fee, students must drop from the program and request a refund within five (5) days following the program starting date.
Students who have attended more than 50% of the program's scheduled classes but have not completed the program's objectives, shall receive an “incomplete” and shall be provided the opportunity to complete all objectives by enrolling in another class during the following calendar year at no additional cost. Students failing to do so will receive a failing grade. Students who receive a failing grade or who have dropped the program shall pay the full fee when re-entering the program.
Students who transfer out of the District prior to attending 50% of the program's scheduled classes shall be reimbursed the collected fee. Students entering the program from another district shall pay the regularly assessed fee if the transferring district indicates the student had attended less than 50% of the program's scheduled classes in that district.
Behind-the-Wheel instruction is scheduled by the classroom instructor and typically takes place after school and on Saturdays by appointment. This phase of the traffic safety education course s shall be conducted during daylight hours to the extent possible. However, instruction may be extended to no later than 5:30 p.m. Students must give the classroom instructor 24-hour advance written notice of their inability to attend a scheduled driving appointment (sudden illness excepted) or an unexcused absence will result. Make-up driving appointments may be scheduled after paying a fee of $25.00 to defray program costs.
Approved:
Dale E. Kinsley May 10, 2005
Superintendent of Schools