MAILBAG


SCHOOL BUS DRIVER SHORT-STRAW Re: “Numerous Reasons Cited for Widespread Driver Short-


age,” January issue, page 18. Over the past 20 years I’ve heard about every excuse various


administrations could come up with for the school bus driver shortage and have taunted these excuses with the response, “Tere is no school bus driver shortage.” Tere is a shortage of de- cent pay for a job involving unhealthy stress levels, a result of poor driver student management training, along with policies and sup- port failings that do more to harm the bus environment than to protect it. An employer’s workplace reputation is most im- portant, sometimes more important than the pay and benefits. When it becomes too much to deal with, some of the smartest drivers join the some 150,000 that leave this industry every year. It is virtually taboo to discuss the unhealthy workplace be-


hind the wheel of too many school buses in our country, let alone to discuss the lack of bus driver support at the same fa- cilities. Know this, there is not a shortage of school bus drivers in this country, but there is a shortage of scapegoats willing to drive the school buses for indifferent acting employers. I lasted over 20 years at the same employer with the help of the civil parents in my community, their civil children and an employer that gave me two options: sink or swim. I swam all those years above and below troubled waters. I


swam but never alone. I loved my work, and although retired, continue to work on school-bus related projects for my healthy employer. Tere is no retirement age for helping to keep kids safe. James Kraemer, School Bus Driver (Ret.) www.2safeschools.org


HEARD AROUND THE WEB Comment Dec. 21 Web story “Petition Sent to Obama Ad-


ministration to Fund $1M Federal Study on School Bus Driver Distractions” As is true with so many issues that catch national attention,


this topic is old news. School bus drivers have long dealt with the distractions of students and traffic every day. Te school districts do not need new, unfunded rules to address the mat- ter. Finding the best-suited bus drivers and ongoing awarness and driver training are the key. On any given day, a school bus driver is mother, father and social worker. Again, in my mind, training is the key. Karl Kersteter, Transportation Supervisor (Ret.) Concrete (Wash.) School District


FOR THE RECORD On the page 4 Table of Contents in the January 2012 edition,


the cover photo should have stated that the shot was courtesy of Starcraft Bus. STN regrets any confusion this error caused.


20 Years of STN: Reader Recollections School Transportation News magazine is celebrating


the 20th anniversary of its first published edition in Septem- ber 1991. Each month we will feature memories from our readers.


“Te STN EXPO was great, but what I like best is


that STN is taking bullying serious. Tat is the main reason I only rode the bus when I had no other choice. Training drivers to help is a good move by schools and contractors.”


— Darrel Christie, Brown Bus Company Nampa, Idaho


“I would say attending the STN EXPO has been very


beneficial to our state. Being asked last year to be the co- chair and meet John Walsh [of “America’s Most Wanted”] is a memory I will never forget. Interacting with other professionals in our industry has been a great learning experience, and I was able to bring valuable information back to Oregon and share with our school districts.


— Steven Huillet, Oregon Department of Education


“When I read one of the articles on autism, it really


spoke to me as I am autistic, having Asperger’s Syndrome high-functioning autism. School buses have been and always will be an obsession of mine. I was on bus pa- trol for 15 years — my entire student career at VBCPS. I am always proud when I read your magazine; it always reads(sic) what needs to be said about the industry! Con- grats. I will be turning 21 soon and I am looking forward to driving for VBCPS.”


— Noah Cannon, Virginia Beach (Va.) City Public Schools


10 School Transportation News Magazine February 2012


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