School committee waives policy EE to allow small-bus band trip; vote unanimous

The Beverly School Committee on March 18 voted to temporarily set aside Policy EE (Student Transportation Services) to allow a seat-belt-equipped small vehicle (described in the meeting as "bus number 1 or 2") to transport a school band on a planned trip.

President Visnick moved the waiver and the motion was seconded; the committee discussed logistics raised by Superintendent Peter Cushing, including that the selected smaller vehicles seat eight (seven students plus chaperone), drivers are paid for total duty hours and that behind-the-wheel driving limits are counted as driving time (downtime such as a meal breaks the driving clock). Cushing added the district will partner with an established transportation carrier for on-road backup and said any additional financial implications would be borne by the district.

The motion passed by voice vote, 9-0.

Next step: The waiver allows the specific requested trip to proceed in the approved vehicle and the committee moved into an executive session after the vote on unrelated personnel matters.