SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

We couldn’t do it without you

You’re dedicated to the safe transportation of students, first and foremost. But your dedication also continues to spill over to our magazine.

by Frank Di Giacomo
August 17, 2010
3 min to read


Like a tree falling in a forest with no one around to hear it, does a magazine make a "sound" if it has no readers?

Well, maybe that's getting a bit too philosophical for my blood. But my point is that we wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.

Ad Loading...

As I look over this issue of SCHOOL BUS FLEET, I'm reminded of the dedication of you, our readers.

You're dedicated to the safe transportation of students, first and foremost. But your dedication also continues to spill over to our magazine, as it has throughout our more than 50-year history.

Not only do we depend on our readers to, yes, read our publication each month — we depend on you to share your expertise and insight.

Numerous contributors
Take our "20 Ways to Bolster Safety" feature in this issue. We put out a call for readers to send in a variety of tips on enhancing safety at school bus operations. The response was remarkable.

Recommendations from nearly three-dozen pupil transportation professionals made it into the article, and we received plenty more that we couldn't fit in this time around. So look for another round of great safety tips in an upcoming issue.

Ad Loading...

Another example of outstanding response from our readers in this issue is our annual Photo Contest. Now in its sixth edition, the contest attracted 130 entries from nearly 40 people.

As always, our editors have a tough task in judging these pictorial submissions.

You might not expect it if you're not involved in the industry, but school bus transportation lends itself to some fantastic photography. The winning entrants certainly proved that point.

Teresa Ochoa of Mountain View (Calif.) Whisman School District, who submitted one of the top shots, showed off what our industry is all about: the kids.

Janet Childs of Macomb Intermediate School District in Michigan captured what could be described as a heavenly spectacle, as the sun breaks through the clouds and seems to select a certain school bus.

Ad Loading...

And Debbie Wheaton of Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District in Arizona presented a somewhat playful take on a routine subject: school bus maintenance.

If this is your first time seeing our annual Photo Contest, be sure to visit our Website, www.schoolbusfleet.com, to look over some of the past editions of the contest (click on "Photo Gallery").

A debt of gratitude
Our heartfelt thanks to all who contribute to SCHOOL BUS FLEET and allow us to be successful. Whether it's reading our monthly issues, engaging in our Website, sending us ideas, writing articles for us or, of course, placing advertisements, we couldn't do it without you.

And we're always eager to hear from you. If you have something you'd like to share with us and other readers, or if you have feedback on anything you've read — be it positive or negative — don't hesitate to send us an e-mail at sbf@bobit.com.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Safety

A rendering of the 6th-generation Waymo Driver on Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ 5 SUV
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 9, 2026

Senate Report: Autonomous Car Companies Hiding Reliance on Remote Operators

Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.

Read More →
Children cross in front of a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended while a nearby vehicle waits, illustrating school zone safety and risks of illegal passing.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseApril 9, 2026

Industry Suppliers Offer Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders

Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.

Read More →
Graphic featuring a headshot of Michael Graham, Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, wearing a dark suit and red tie against an orange gradient background, with “Leadership Update” and School Bus Fleet branding on the left.
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

NTSB Names Michael Graham Vice Chair: Where He Stands on School Bus Safety

A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic with bold yellow background and red headline reading “A Split Second from Disaster,” alongside a photo of a freight train traveling down railroad tracks. Subtext reads, “What one incident reminds us about railroad crossing safety,” with School Bus Fleet branding at the bottom.
Safetyby Amanda HuggettApril 7, 2026

'A Train Is Coming': Florida School Bus Close Call Highlights Critical Railroad Safety Reminders

Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.

Read More →
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsApril 7, 2026

No Train, No Stop? FMCSA Considers Rule Change for School Buses

The federal agency's proposed rulemaking would eliminate the requirement for school buses to come to a complete stop at railroad crossings if the warning device is not activated. The goal: to improve traffic flow and save costs. With new data released, public comment is open through April 27, 2026.

Read More →
Row of yellow school buses with overlay text reading “The essential guide to school bus fleet maintenance: Maximizing safety and uptime” and the Geotab logo.
SponsoredApril 1, 2026

The Essential Guide to School Bus Maintenance: Maximizing Safety and Uptime

Stop reacting to engine lights and start predicting them. This guide reveals how transitioning from a "break-fix" model to a data-driven maintenance strategy can drastically reduce fleet downtime and protect your district's budget. Learn how to transform your garage operations from a cost center into a reliability powerhouse.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A close-up view of the top of a yellow school bus with “School Bus” signage and red lights, overlaid with a cracked-glass effect. Text on the image reads, “Multi-Vehicle Crash in TN Takes 2 Lives” and “March 27, 2026,” with the School Bus Fleet logo in the corner.
Safetyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 31, 2026

2 Students Die in Tennessee School Bus Crash with Dump Truck

A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County.

Read More →
A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a stop-arm gate and text reading "Legislative Roundup March 2026."
Safetyby Elora HaynesMarch 30, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: Stop-Arm Enforcement, EV Mandates & Seat Belts

From North Dakota public charter school regulations, tracking illegal school bus passing consequences in multiple states, and the continued debate on New York’s electric school bus mandate, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.

Read More →
hopskipdrive whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 30, 2026

Boosting K-12 Attendance With Innovative Transportation Solutions

While the yellow school bus remains the backbone of student transit, 75% of administrators identify limited transportation access as a major driver of chronic absenteeism. This guide explores how districts are strengthening their fleets by integrating flexible, supplemental solutions to serve students with the most complex needs. Learn how a multimodal approach can bridge service gaps, restore attendance, and support your most vulnerable populations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a school bus stop-arm camera mounted on the side of a yellow bus, used to record drivers who illegally pass while students board or exit.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMarch 27, 2026

Michigan District Rolls Out New Stop-Arm Program

Grand Rapids Public Schools is partnering up with BusPatrol and Dean Transportation to outfit the entire bus fleet with cameras.

Read More →