Transportation for Events

[MrJohnston]

We have similar school policies...and a very large team.

For local events, we simply say "show up at the venue at a particular time and check in." In our state, this means that the school day does not start for these kids until they reach the venue and it is up to the families to find transportion. Of course, on their own, parents organize carpools.

For things that require a hotel stay, we have found that a charter bus is the cheapest way to go (much less expensive than a school bus)- plus a parent with a truck to transport the robot and run the many errands that are bound to become important.

However, going to St. Louis required air travel.

[SenorZ]

Our district requires all parents and faculty who will drive students to a school approved event be "cleared" (TB test, background check...).
Anyone driving a vehicle that can hold 15 passengers needs a Commercial Drivers License.
Since the district makes groups pay for bus use we have parents with SUVs get cleared by the school and load the kids in. Not the best policy from an insurance point of view, but most of the parents know all the kids.