Restraint use Sarah Greene, president/CEO of NHSA, says her organization is excited about its new partnership with PTSI. “For the past six years, we’ve looked to PTSI for our transportation training. This formal partnership will allow us to continue to bring needed resources to our members -- particularly those addressing the training needs presented by the Head Start Final Rule,” said Greene. PTSI, a national nonprofit school bus safety organization, has a long-standing history of working with NHSA and Head Start transportation staff across the country. “Since 1996 weÕve conducted Transportation Track workshops at NHSA’s annual training conferences,” said Ted Finlayson-Schueler, executive director of PTSI. “This partnership is a real outgrowth of our long relationship and allows us to bring resources to all Head Start agencies on a more comprehensive level.” According to Horne, everyone transporting Head Start children, including districts and contractors, is responsible for complying with the Final Rule. “The Final Rule is approved, the clock is running and we are pleased to provide this manual to everyone in the transportation industry. The ultimate goal is that compliance will ensure a safer ride to school for all children.” To purchase the Head Start manual, contact PTSI at (800) 836-2210 or e-mail info@ptsi.org.
Arkansas restricts cell phone use
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The State Board of Education has approved a regulation banning the use of cell phones by school bus drivers while the bus is in motion. Mike Simmons, Arkansas’ state pupil transportation director, noted that drivers may still use cell phones, but only when the bus is parked. In addition, drivers can only use cell phones authorized by their employers. Meanwhile, state lawmakers approved a measure that could make it easier for school bus drivers to qualify for health insurance. Act 1253 gives superintendents the authority to define the minimum hourly requirements necessary for drivers to attain full-time status and thus qualify for health insurance. Previously, a driver had to work a minimum of 720 hours a year to be considered a full-time employee.
Minnesota contractors dispute contentious ads
ANNANDALE, Minn. -- The Minnesota School Bus Operators Association (MSBOA) claims that one of Minnesota’s largest agricultural groups is using scare tactics and misinformation in an ad campaign to get the public more interested in its products. The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association is running radio advertisements warning that conventional diesel fumes are harming school bus riders. The ads promote biodiesel, a blended alternative fuel containing processed soybean oil. The advertisements base their information primarily on a controversial Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) study that drew criticism from many science and health organizations earlier this year. Alleging that diesel emissions are linked to cancer, the study was chided by groups such as the American Council for Science and Health, which stated that the NRDC study was composed of “fallacy and half-truths.” Julie Bernick, president of the MSBOA, said that it is unnecessary for the Soybean Growers Association to make unfounded claims of health risks. “We are not opposed to improvements in air quality or bettering an already outstanding record for student transportation health and safety, but we must act on the basis of scientific evidence and ensure that costs for our schools and taxpayers are restrained,” she said.
Motorcoach group provides tips for school charter tips
A new publication from the United Motorcoach Association (UMA) is designed to help school administrators, school bus operators, parents and others when they plan for charter trips. The UMA Student Motorcoach Travel Safety Guide is a 15-page “how-to” and what-about document prepared to answer concerns about operator selection and practices for the school transportation community. It can be accessed at www.uma.org/student.htm. The two-part guide provides school transportation planners first with resources and procedures for identification of safe motorcoach companies and then addresses safety and operational issues of concern to chaperones and students during motorcoach travel. For more information about the guide, contact UMA at (800) 424-8262 or visit www.uma.org.
New rules enacted for Arizona drivers
PHOENIX – School bus drivers in Arizona now must stop at all railroad grade crossings, unless directed otherwise by a police officer. “Previously, school buses could proceed without stopping as long as the traffic light was green,” said Vicki Barnett, supervisor of the student transportation unit for the Arizona Highway Patrol. Other changes that were incorporated into Arizona’s administrative code include the following restrictions on school bus drivers:
