New School Year, New Policies

The first day of school for students in Muscogee County is Thursday.
Parents and students will see some changes this year and News Three is on your side with what you need to know.

-The cell phone policy is changing in the district.  Students will only be allowed to use phones before of after school hours.  To see a copy of the policy and the punishments, click this link.
https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/policy.aspx?PC=ECI&Sch=4121&S=4121&RevNo=1.02&C=E&Z=P

-Parents will now not be allowed to pay for their children’s lunches through personal checks.  Now, parents can only pay by cash, credit, traveler’s checks or the automated program on the district’s website.
https://www.mylunchmoney.com/index.aspx

-This year the district is implementing a no-idling policy. Bus drivers will turn off the buses once they get to the school and only turn them back on when they are ready to leave.  The no-idling policy applies to any vehicle on campus grounds. 
Here is the Press Release regarding the new no-idling policy:

( Columbus , GA) –The Muscogee County School District is committed to reducing student and driver exposure to diesel exhaust particular matter (soot) by eliminating unnecessary idling of school buses and other vehicles by adopting a “No-Idling” policy. The policy applies to district owned school buses, all other district vehicles, and all vehicles, which enter school property.  Adherence to this policy will not only enhance the quality of the environment and quality of life of students, drivers and staff, but it will also assist in reducing energy costs.

A.  Idling Control Measures
The following idling control measures have been implemented throughout the district.
Ensure that drivers park their buses at least 100 feet from a known and active school air intake system, unless alternative locations block traffic, impair student safety, are not cost effective, or are otherwise impractical.
Upon reaching a school or other destination, ensure drivers of school buses turn off their engines and not restart them until necessary to depart.
Post No-idling signs in school drop-off areas to remind operators of buses and other vehicles of the Muscogee County School District ‘s no-idling policy. 
Advise vendors that delivery trucks may not idle on school property.
Advise parents/guardians/families dropping off or picking up students that they may not idle their vehicles on school property.
Relocate school-building air-intake systems more than one-hundred (100) feet away from school bus parking areas when practical; take other measures to reduce intake of exhaust where relocating intake systems is not feasible, such as regulating closure of air-intake vents near student loading and unloading areas.

B. Exemptions
Exemptions to the above idling control measures include the following:
Turbo-diesel Engine Cool Down or Warm-Up
      a. To cool down a turbo-charged diesel engine for a period not to exceed five
        (5) minutes before turning off the engine, according to the bus manufacture specifications
      b. To warm up a turbo-charged diesel engine for a period not to exceed three
        (3) minutes, according to the bus manufacture specification
    2. Cold Weather
  a. To operate heaters for up to fifteen (15) minutes if the outside temperature is between 32 degrees F and - I0 degrees F
    3. Safety of Children, Special Needs Students, and Emergencies
      a. When lift equipment is used during loading or unloading of children with one or more disabilities
      b. During loading, unloading, or transporting of children with exceptional needs
      c. Use of defroster, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment for safety or health considerations
      d. Use of the headlights or four-way flasher warning lights for visibility purposes
      e. Idling in traffic or at railroad crossings
      f. For other traffic, safety, or emergency situations

    4. Maintenance Operations
      a. To charge a battery of a school bus, if needed
      b. For testing to verify that the bus is in safe operating condition as part of the
        daily pre-trip vehicle inspection, or as otherwise required, including to
        measure vehicle emissions

C.  Implementation
    The Transportation Department will insure all newly hired bus drivers are
    informed of the requirements of this policy and the reasons behind it and insure
    that all complaints of non-compliance are reviewed and remedial action is taken
    as necessary.