Student transporters discuss emergency scenarios during the classroom portion of the Michigan training.


Responding to Bus Driver’s Murder Salliejo Evers is the comprehensive school safety


specialist for Northeast Washington Educational Service District 101, which works with other service districts and the state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion. She is helping to develop training after a school bus driver in Pasco, Washington was stabbed to death while behind the wheel last fall by a trespassor. “We see increases in incidents of school violence


across the country, and in the increased number of requests for threat assessment support,” noted Evers, who also speaks at STN EXPO Reno during a general session on July 18. “It is a component of the impact that COVID isolation has had on students regarding the cur- rent increased need for behavioral health support. I am working with districts and transportation departments to ensure their drivers are trained to the same standard that their school staff have been and that the emergency guidance is complimentary and coordinated.” The training is geared toward creating a foundation


for emergency management, discussing school safety best practices, working through scenarios, and guiding department leadership on how to build their own de- partment specific emergency operations plan. Evers said she utilizes “table-top discussions and


50 School Transportation News • MAY 2022


scenario-based discussions to encourage drivers to consider the what-ifs and what they would do to keep their students and themselves safe in an emergency, considering all hazards,” to help reduce hesitation that could occur in an emergency if someone is unprepared or taken by surprise. She also advises drivers to increase their situational


awareness, consider redundant communication meth- ods and to know and train on procedures for emergency response. “We have a shared goal of protecting our students and


staff,” said Evers. “I am ensuring our drivers are included, as often they are solo and remote and in our efforts to protect our students on highly visible school buses, have also created a vulnerability. School bus drivers would like the industry to consider there may be times when it is critical to lock the school bus door while the bus is oc- cupied, similar to locking a classroom door in an active shooter event, and how can we help make this possible.” The ability to fully secure a bus is as important as se- curing a classroom, Evers added. “Transportation leadership also needs to ensure they


develop a functional and hazard annex that is relevant to school buses,” shared Evers. “Transportation, like com- munication, will be absolutely critical in an emergency.”


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