specific special needs training pertinent for those drivers and bus monitors once per semester,” added Lindstrom. Teaching and Mentoring Communities, a Head Start pro-


vider in Laredo, Texas, hired a mental health/disabilities coordinator that works with the staff and the school district to assure that the children receive the services and attention as mandated, according to Carolyn Garcia, transportation/fa- cilities coordinator for TMC. But not everyone can afford to hire specialists onto their


staff. To supplement this, transportation directors sometimes bring in experts such as teachers and special education ad- ministrators to share their knowledge and expertise with the different types of students. “We have worked with the Center for Autism and have


had four different speakers over the past four to five years,” said Chris Nelson, Stillwater (N.Y.) Central School’s director of transportation. “Also [we] have had speakers on bullying as well. If there is an area that is lacking, I either develop or work with someone to develop the training and/or bring someone in to talk with the staff.” In all, special needs transportation, like that of general


education students, continues to suffer from budgetary backlashes and has not yet seen the light at the end of the economic tunnel. ■


Annually 36.8%


How often does your staff receive special needs training?


25.1%


23.4% 14.7%


Bi-annually


Other


Monthly


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40 School Transportation News Magazine February 2011


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