COVER STORY It’s
and Back to the Buses
F For some — but not all (as you will find out on page 40)
— the end of summer means a return to the daily routes and responsibilities of the school bus industry. While summer school and bus maintenance may have pulled more than one driver or mechanic back to the garage for all or part of their summer, many use the time to relax, enjoy family and friends, attended training and recharge for the coming school year. In this year’s “Back to School” issue, STN decided to look
beyond how transportation departments prepare for the upcoming schools year and focus on a handful of issues that can have an effect on their preparations. In the first article, contributor Art Gissendaner looks at how school districts are taking an alternate route when looking to freshen up their fleet. Instead of purchasing new, expensive school buses, some districts are looking at refurbishing their existing buses to meet the needs of their students while also keeping costs down. In one particular case, the state correctional services agency performs the repairs and charges 30 to 50 percent less than private companies.
Next, we look at the traditional versus the year-round
school year. Currently, approximately 2,800 public schools run on a year-round schedule, something that has been in- creasing since the late 1980s, with most adopting the 60/20 calendar (60 days of instruction followed by 20 days of va- cation). Like everything else, the concept has its benefits, drawbacks and challenges. But, as you’ll see, just because a district has the summer off, it doesn’t mean the transpor- tation staff is sitting at home sipping a drink by the pool. Drivers, mechanics and directors can have their plates full with summer school, training and seasonal maintenance. And although it might seem like it’s far away, winter will
soon rear its frosted head across much of the country, and districts need a plan in place to keep everything on track and running smoothly, whether they’re knee-deep in powder or dealing with the rain that goes along with winters in warmer climates. Everything from weather forecasts to hose-by-hose inspections keep districts ahead of old man winter and ready to keep their kids safe in the worst conditions. ■
32 School Transportation News Magazine September 2010
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