*MAILBAG
School Transportation News Magazine is published by STN Media Group
5334 Torrance Blvd., 3rd Floor, Torrance, CA 90503
Tel: 310/792-2226 Fax: 310-792-2231
stnonline.com
Via Linkedin: What are your thoughts on the fact that some
school districts allow sports trips to go out with only one staff mem- ber (other than the driver) on board, citing budget restrictions?
John Lauffer, Senior Risk Representative Utica National Insurance Group
Tought provoking question. Whether it’s one or more chap-
erones or school staff on the bus, the main key for me is that the driver should be required to take charge of providing all necessary instructions and safeguards just prior to starting out. In a sense, it’s the driver’s job to “supervise” or instruct the other staff, parents and the students in the bus rules and safety requirements. While that might not sit well with other professionals who are used to leading, it should be understood and discussed up front by transportation management and school staff that on the bus the driver is the cap- tain of the ship. He or she can and should appoint other responsible individuals as first mates. Tat model is particularly important in the event of an emergency, especially if the driver becomes incapacitat- ed. In Florida, our State Board rules require that the driver do a pre- trip FAA style briefing before every field or activity trip on things like evacuation procedures, the importance of everyone wearing their available belts or staying in their seats for effective compart- mentalization, and so on. We have an example of that briefing we’re happy to provide to anyone who wants it. Charlie Hood, State Director of Student Transportation Florida Department of Education
Tere should be at least two or three parents helping the staff on the buses for trips just for added security. Tere have been many unsavory things happen on some field trips in Indiana in the last several years. Lots of districts now require at least 4 adults plus the driver on each bus.
Steve Blaschke, Director of Maintenance Sodrel Truck Lines in Clarksville, Ind.
I know many districts that require at least one coach / advisor to be on the bus, preferably two. Unfortunately, while some are great at their job, not all are responsible enough to mind their players / stu- dents. I have heard many stories where coaches / advisors will sit in the front seats and take a nap while their responsibilities are raising cane in the back of the bus. Yes, they are aware that they must be seated to observe the whole bus, but that goes by the wayside pretty quickly for some. Te driver often becomes the disciplinarian as well as the driver, talk about distracted driving! We can insist on many different laws and regulations to cover this topic, but support from administration is still necessary. I have found that cameras help support the drivers concerns / reports and usually give the adminis- tration something tangible they can work with. Gerard Ordmandy, Transportation Director Downsville (N.Y.) Central School
Publisher Tony Corpin
Editor Ryan Gray
Managing Editor Sylvia Arroyo
Creative Consultant Vincent Rios
Senior Designer Kimber Horne
Graphic Design Maria Molina
Copy Editor Michelle Fisher
Technical Editor Robert T. Pudlewski
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Linda Bluth, Peggy Burns, John Whelan, Ned Einstein, Art Gissendaner, Julie Metea, Eric Woolson, Barb Fasing
Vice President Colette Paul
Ad Sales Tony Corpin
Circulation Andrea Hernandez
Marketing Coordinator Diane O'Meara
Marketing Assistant Keelyn Young
Chairman of the Board Bill Paul, STN Media Group
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD:
Denny Coughlin, Consultant; Judith Dupille, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles; Dick Fischer, Trans-Consult; Ron Love, Delaware DOE; Randy McLerran, National Bus Sales; Pete Meslin, Newport-Mesa Unified; Nancy Netherland, Migrant- Seasonal Head Start; Marshall Casey, Consultant; Alexandra Robinson, NAPT; Launi Schmutz, Washington County
Schools
HOW TO WRITE OR E-MAIL STN SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION NEWS welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and are subject to editing for grammar, style and space. Submissions must be legible, include a signature, job title/ employer name, valid mailing and/or e-mail address, and telephone number. Unsigned letters or letters signed only with a pseudonym or initials will not be used. Email letters to:
sylvia@stnonline.com or
ryan@stnonline.com or send via U.S. Post to: School Transportation News P.O. Box 789, Redondo Beach,
CA 90277
The views and opinions in School Transportation News are those of the editorial staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the members of the Editorial Advisory Board or their organizations. Individuals serving on the board are advisors only and are not responsible for the editorial content.
For permission to reuse materials in this publication contact STN editor Ryan Gray, at
ryan@stnonline.com, or by phone at 310/792-2226 or by
fax at 310-792-2231. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Printed in the U.S.A
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40065374
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Station A, PO Box 54 Winsor, ON N9A 6J5
8 School Transportation News February 2014
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84