Bus Briefs

Drivers demonstrate safety at roadeo championships
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Despite high temperatures and occasional heavy rain, school bus drivers proved their professionalism at the National School Transportation Association's international safety competition in July. Larry Hannon of Centennial School District in Pennsylvania took first in the conventional category. Bob Hutson of Durham School Services in Kansas won in the small-bus field. And Osgood Simpson of Montgomery County Pulbic Schools in Virginia won the transit category.

Texas district wins award for propane-powered buses
ALVIN, Texas — The Alvin Independent School District recently won an award for its succesful use of propane-powered buses. The district, which operated 86 percent of its school bus fleet on clean-burning propane, was one of four winners of the fifth annual PROPANE Exceptional Energy Fleet Awards. ALvin is located 35 miles from Houston, which was ranked No. 5 on the American Lung Association's 2004 list of metropolitan areas with the worst ozone air pollution.

New Jersey district bolsters school bus stamp campaign
GLEN GARDNER, N.J. — The Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission has solicited the U.S. POstal Service for a stamp that recognizes the nation's school bus drivers. Joining a campaign intiated by the Tennessee Association for Pupil Transportation, the district wrote a letter citing the industry's superior safety record and suggesting a stamp design that shows hands holding a bus and the phrase "Our Most Precious Cargo, Children!"