HomeMy WebLinkAboutP 127 TRA - Ottawa Student Transportation Authority -1- P.127.TRA
POLICY P.127.TRA
TITLE: OTTAWA STUDENT TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Date Authorized: 22 June 2009
Last Revised: 31 January 2023
Last Reviewed: 31 January 2023
COMMITMENT TO INDIGENOUS RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND EQUITY
The District recognizes its responsibility to ensure that this policy and associated procedures promote
and protect Indigenous rights, human rights, and equity. The District will strive to address and
eliminate discrimination and structural and systemic barriers for students, staff, and community.
1.0 RATIONALE
To establish the authority of the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority to act as the Board’s
agent with respect to the provision of transportation services to students of the OttawaCarleton
District School Board (OCDSB).
2.0 DEFINITIONS
Please refer to Appendix A for a list of definitions of terms used in this policy.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY
Director of Education and the General Manager of Ottawa Student Transportation Authority.
4.0 POLICY
4.1 The Board shall recognize the Ministry of Education requirement for the provision of
safe, effective, and efficient student transportation services through a consortia delivery
model.
4.2 The Board shall recognize the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA), a
consortium established jointly by the Ottawa Catholic School Board and the Ottawa-
Carleton District School Board, as its agent for the provision of student transportation
services.
4.3 OSTA shall provide transportation services to OCDSB pupils as detailed in a service
level agreement (SLA).
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4.4 The Board shall establish transportation service standards to be included in the SLA
with OSTA, including, but not limited to:
a) eligibility standards based on distance, address (home or childcare), and
program;
b) bell times over ten minutes; and
c) accessible transportation for students with special needs.
4.5 The components and service standards of the SLA shall be presented to the Board
prior to its execution.
4.6 The Director of Education will ensure that the structure of operating and/or SLAs with
the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) satisfy the requirements of the
Ministry of Education.
5.0 SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES
Appointments
5.1 In accordance with OSTA By-Laws, the Board shall have four representatives appointed
to the OSTA Board of Directors, including:
a) Director of Education;
b) Chief Financial Officer; and
c) two trustees.
5.2 In addition, the Board shall appoint two trustees to serve as alternate representatives to
the OSTA Board of Directors. The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board may serve as
alternates if no appointed representatives are available.
Term of Office
5.3 Each appointed trustee representative shall normally be appointed for a two-year term.
The terms shall be off-set by a year. Appointments will be made annually by the Board.
5.4 Each appointed alternate trustee representative shall be appointed for a one -year term.
Appointments will be made annually by the Board.
Delegated Authority
5.5 The Board is responsible for establishing service eligibility standards for the
transportation of its students. The Board shall delegate responsibility for service delivery
standards to OSTA, including, but not limited to:
a) student transportation;
b) empty seat management;
c) stop distances from home;
d) bell time changes of 10 minutes or less;
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e) hazard zones;
f) weighted vehicle loading capacity; and
g) transportation for students in joint custody arrangements and having two homes.
5.6 The Board shall assign responsibility to the Board’s representatives to:
a) develop strategic direction and policy for OSTA;
b) establish and perform ongoing reviews of the organizational structure and
remuneration schedules of the employees of OSTA; and
c) receive and review reports on the achievement of goals identified in the Service
Level Agreement.
Financial Accountability
5.7 Prior to approving the annual OSTA budget, or interim bud get adjustment, the Board’s
representatives shall:
a) Seek a financial mandate from the OCDSB Board. If a financial mandate for the
current budget year is not available, the previous year’s budget mandate shall be
applied; and
b) Consult with the Board prior to any vote for material cost overruns of greater than
1 percent of the Board’s financial mandate, or $500,000 whichever is less, for
transportation, excluding those costs resulting from bus route adjustments that
are in keeping with the transportation policies until a service level agreement is
executed.
Financial Accountability
5.8 In their capacity as OSTA Board members, the Board’s representatives are responsible
for:
a) reviewing and approving the annual budget of OSTA;
b) approving the cost sharing formulas between partner boards for transportation
services; and
c) establishing and performing ongoing reviews.
Communications
5.9 The Board’s representatives are responsible for fostering and facilitating inter -board
cooperation and sharing of information between OSTA and the OCDSB. This includes
reporting regularly to the Board of Trustees and ensuring that the Board is aware of any
major initiatives, challenges, and issues facing the OSTA Board of Directors.
Consultation
5.10 The District shall work in partnership with OSTA in undertaking major consultations with
the stakeholder communities. Where required, the parties will collaborate.
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Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
5.11 The District is responsible for the confidential records of all its students. However, in
keeping with the provisions of existing legislation, the Board will delegate the authority
for care, custody, control, and the responsibility for transportation records to OSTA. The
District will work with the OSTA General Manager to manage requests under MFIPPA
as required. This includes transportation records under the custody and control of
OSTA.
5.12 The Director of Education is authorized to issue such procedures as may be necessary
to implement this policy.
6.0 APPENDICES
Appendix A: Policy Definitions
7.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Board Policy P.084.SCO: Student Safety Patrols
Board Procedure PR.530.SCO: Withdrawal of Transportation Privileges
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APPENDIX A: POLICY DEFINITIONS
In this policy,
Board means the Board of Trustees.
District means the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) means a consortium established jointly by the
Ottawa Catholic School Board and the Ottawa -Carleton District School Board. the recognized agent
for transportation services for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
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