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Question of the Month This month’s reader survey asked fleet managers how they


prepare their school buses for the new school year. We asked for input on their preventive maintenance, procurement decisions and training.


Each bus goes through a very thorough inspection. The in-


spection ranges from the chassis to the cameras and GPS system. After the inspection is complete, any repairs that are needed will be addressed. The bus is then pulled out and cleaned inside and out. Each driver and monitor go through summer training before the start of the school year. —Nathan Oliver, Director of Transportation Monroe County Community Schools in Bloomington, Indiana


We never stop preparing for the next school year. Even during the summer months, we continue the same maintenance sched- ule. [There is no] rest for a fleet of 700-plus [school buses]. —David Elie, Maintenance Manager Boston Public Schools in Hyde Park, Massachusetts


My tech attends training programs that are offered. We do a summer service replacing all filters, cleaning the DEF filters, checking all areas of the bus. —Becky Reier, Transportation Director Kearney (Nebraska) Public Schools


Editor’s Note: June’s Editor’s Take column focused on attract- ing and retaining school bus drivers by maintaining a positive culture in the organization. Read the issue at stnonline.com/go/ june19.


It’s important to remember that strong leadership that fa-


cilitates a culture of respect and ownership is key to retaining qualified people on your team. Every leader needs to be visible and actively engage with all members of their team. —Kayne M. Smith, Ed.D. @kaynesmith85/ Twitter


Editor’s Note: A school district in Washington state received the


first all-electric school bus for the state. Many districts around the country have been announcing that electric school buses are being added to their fleets. Visit stnonline.com/green-bus to read more.


We have two hybrids that we haven’t seen much success from


(we tried them on city and rural routes with the same outcomes). So, I’m a little disappointed with that outcome. However, I can’t wait to one day try out the electric tech. Excited to see what kind of results they show! —Nick Greer, Assistant Director of Transportation for Boone County Schools @NickGreerBCS/ Twitter


8 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2019


President & Publisher Tony Corpin


Editor Ryan Gray


Associate Editor David George


Editorial Assistant Taylor Hannon


Technical Editor Robert T. Pudlewski


Senior Designer Kimber Horne


Graphic Design Maria Molina


Circulation Andrea Dugmore


CONTRIBUTORS: Linda Bluth Debbie Curtis Art Gissendaner Kari Lydersen Julie Metea


Amanda Pampuro James Romeo Art Segal David Volz Eric Woolson


EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Marshall Casey, Consultant Denny Coughlin, Consultant Michael Dorn, Safe Havens International Ned Einstein, Transportation Alternatives Launi Harden, Washington County (UT) School District Pete Meslin, Consultant Alexandra Robinson, New York City DOE Michael Shields, Salem-Kaiser (OR) Public Schools


HOW TO CONTACT 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 email address, and telephone number. Unsigned letters or letters signed only with a pseudonym or initials will not be used. Email letters to: ryan@stnmedia.com or send via U.S. mail 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, P.O. Box 54, Winsor, ON N9A 6J5 Canada


Chairman of the Board Bill Paul


Vice President Colette Paul


Client Services Coord. Claudia Newton


Sr. Events Coordinator Alice Hung Sabedra


Events Coordinator Jessica Brewer


Accounting Lisa Douglas


Creative Consultant Vincent Rios Design


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