JAY – A new student bus transportation policy has gone into effect.

The former transportation policy did not outline how far a student must live from a school to get bus transportation but the new one does. The change affects 54 students.

School Committee members approved the policy earlier this month.

The policy states that children in prekindergarten to grade one would be transported as close as practical to their home or child care place. However, they may be required to walk to an established bus stop if it is deemed by the transportation director to be impractical because of unsafe circumstances.

Children in grades two to six would be entitled to transportation if they live more than a third of a mile from school, and students in grades seven to 12 are entitled to a school bus ride if they live more than a half-mile from school.

The new policy also includes an appeal process for parents or guardians who are not satisfied with the transportation decision.