FEEDBACK


School Transportation News Published by STN Media Group


Letter to the Editor


Editor in Chief Ryan Gray’s “Editor’s Take” in the March issue discussed the modern perception of the yellow school bus and how some technology and safety features are becoming standardized for bus fleets. Read the full article at stnonline.com/go/mar23.


Another good column. I look forward to the “Another day” column on ‘belted or not’ that you mentioned. Given the amount of attention, both time and money, that is given to school bus loading zone safety vs school bus passenger safety, I am anxious to see how you address the real-world data difference between the two. Fatalities inside the bus and outside the bus are essentially the same, but thousands of injuries of all levels (minor to serious) occur inside the bus while relatively few injuries occur outside the bus. The magnitude of illegal passing is a real problem that needs to be addressed. But the real-world consequences (fatalities and injuries) of those illegal passes is much less than the real- world consequences (fatalities and injuries) to school bus passengers in crashes. You may recall one of my frequent statements when talking about “making good public policy.” (I believe decisions about how to use limited school bus funding is making public policy.) Good public policy MUST be made using only the applicable and accurate data and science, not emotion and supposition. Keep up the good work. Charlie Gauthier, Retired NASDPTS Executive Director


The April issue featured an in-depth discussion with 2023 Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Kevin McGowan. Read more at stnonline.com/april23.


In February, we recognized @KCMcgowan from @BrightonBelieve [Brighton Central Schools in New York] as this year’s Superintendent of the Year! You can read more about his contributions to education in [the April] issue of @STNMagazine. Twitter/@FirstStudentInc


A 70-year-old school bus driver was allegedly attacked by a parent while transporting students home from a Boston elementary school. Read the wire report at stnonline.com/go/f7.


Sending positive vibes for the driver and students who witnessed. So heartbreaking. Facebook/Kathryn Walsh


Dr. Cal LeMon, a 2007 STN EXPO conference keynote speaker, died on Dec. 28 at the age of 77. Not only was he a accomplished author, consultant and theologian, he was a known school bus advocate, developing a public awareness campaign to call attention to how reduced state funding for transportation was flying in the face of yellow school bus benefits. Read more at stnonline.com/go/f0.


What a great piece on Cal [LeMon]! He was such a great man and we were so sad to find out about his passing while we were at CASTO in February. Thank you, Ryan, for the article. Sandy Dillman, Director of Transportation Tomball Independent School District, Texas


10 School Transportation News • MAY 2023


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 Ekbatani


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


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 David Volz Eric Woolson


EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Mike Bullman, South Carolina Department of Education 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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