FEEDBACK


School Transportation News Published by STN Media Group


Letter to the Editor: In the May issue of School Transportation News, Publisher Tony Corpin wrote about an 11-year-old student named Annaliese Backner. While running after her school bus in Colorado on March 3, she tripped, fell and was fatally run over. In his Publisher’s Corner, Corpin encourages readers to honor Backner’s memory by doing everything in the industry’s power to be the safest it can be. Read the article at stnonline.com/go/d3.


Great article. I just called my sons and daughter and told them to tell their kids about this topic after I read your piece. Thanks Tony! Every bus operator ought to communicate with kids and their parents about bus safety. It’s heartbreaking to read about Annaliese. Arnie Koldenhoven President, Arrrowhead Steel


School districts all over the nation are in such a need of school bus drivers that in addition to a good starting pay, they are willing to offer full health benefits, paid training and competitive retirement plans. Read the online article at stnonline.com/go/d4.


Start combining jobs to create full-time employment. Bus driver morning and afternoon, cafeteria aide, recess monitor, even para[professionals] in the middle of the day. Makes it a lot more attractive. Facebook/John Haynie


Retirement plan? LOL! Yeah, right. The State of Georgia only pays $115 per year of service. Embarrassment. Offer teacher’s retirement and they might find drivers. Facebook/Tammie Wallace Tucker


All things my district has done for years. It does help, not a 100 percent but it does help. We can work up to 40 hours a week if we choose, There is plenty of cleaning and other things to do to keep a person busy. Facebook/Joel Hamburger


Readers were asked in a recent survey, “How are you actively recruiting school bus drivers and mechanics? Here are some responses.


We have ads in the unemployment work forces, social medias, in doctor’s office, indeed, work of mouth and anywhere we can find to send out the information that we are looking for drivers and as well as monitors. Sara Johnson, Transportation Supervisor Beaufort-Jasper Head Start in South Carolina


We are not! The industry has been impacted by low wages. Furthermore, with many of the most recent shootings across the nation it has affected to recruit drivers. Jose Fernandez, Director of Transportation South San Antonio ISD in Texas


Participating in community events (festivals, concerts, etc.); TV commercials are in the not-so-distant future. Jenny Robinson, Transportation General Manager Bethlehem Area School District in Pennsylvania


8 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2022


5334 Torrance Blvd. 3rd Floor Torrance, CA 90503


Tel: 310-792-2226 Fax: 310-792-2231 stnonline.com


President & Publisher Tony Corpin


Editor Ryan Gray


Associate Editor Taylor Hannon


Social Media Coord. Ruth Ashmore


Technical Editor Robert T. Pudlewski


Editorial Intern Merari Acevedo


Senior Designer Kimber Horne


Graphic Design Maria Molina


Circulation Andrea Dugmore


CONTRIBUTORS: Carol Brzozowski Linda F. Bluth, Ed. D. Debbie Curtis Art Gissendaner Kari Lydersen Julie Metea


Chairman of the Board Bill Paul


Vice President Colette Paul


Client Services/ Digital Media Coord. Claudia Newton


Event Manager Alice Hung Sabedra


Sr. Event Coordinator Amy Yamakawa


Event Services Coordinator Trynne Lilleskare


Accounting Lisa Douglas


Creative Consultant Vincent Rios Creative, Inc.


Amanda Pampuro Jim Romeo Mark Rowh 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, Consultant Pete Meslin, Consultant Alexandra Robinson, Consultant Michael Shields, Consultant


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.


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