SchoolBus logo in red and orange
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

District to implement new bus pickup policy for special-needs students

EL PASO, Texas — Socorro Independent School District is scheduled to implement a new bus pickup policy today for its special-needs students and child...

August 3, 2009
1 min to read


EL PASO, Texas — Socorro Independent School District is scheduled to implement a new bus pickup policy today for its special-needs students and children in preschool through second grade.

El Paso Times reported that the policy will require the district’s school bus drivers to keep these students on the bus until their parents or another adult authorized by the child’s parents picks up the student.

Ad Loading...

Children who are not met at bus stops by an adult will be taken back to their schools and will have to be picked up on campus.

The bus pickup procedures were changed at the request of Manny Rubio, the district's new transportation director, and bus drivers who felt uncomfortable leaving young children unsupervised, according to El Paso Times.

"We all agreed that first and second grade was still a little too young to leave children unattended," Rubio told El Paso Times.

Under the policy, parents will be required to provide schools with a list of adults who are responsible for the children. Those lists will be shared with bus drivers.

District officials reportedly said they would not allow the children to go home with siblings who are younger than 18.

 

More Special Needs Transportation

Graphic showing a school bus with a wheelchair lift deployed and the headline “Special Needs Ridership Rises & More Trends,” highlighting 2026 School Bus Fleet special-needs survey results.

Special-Needs Transportation Shifts in 2026: More Riders, More Tech, New Pressures [Survey Report]

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
An aerial photograph of Jersey City, New Jersey, during the day.
Special Needs TransportationJanuary 20, 2026

New Jersey Legislature Approves Special Education Transportation Task Force

The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black and white graphic with an image of a female student getting into an alternative transportation vehicle. Text reads "Student Privacy & Special Needs: Legal, Ethical, and Practical Guidance."
Special Needs TransportationJanuary 16, 2026

Why Student Privacy Matters in Special-Needs School Transportation

Learn more about what federal law really allows when sharing special-needs information with bus drivers and aides while protecting student privacy.

Read More →

AMF Bruns Celebrates 2025 Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year

Julio Ospina, a SPED driver and safety trainer at Wylie ISD in Texas, was named the national winner in AMF's annual driver award series.

Read More →
SponsoredDecember 1, 2025

Safety Leadership for School Bus Operations

The most important factor in operating as safely as possible is leadership. Learn about an innovative new training course that teaches all levels of leadership the many practices to instill a safety culture in the drivers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Special Needs Transportationby StaffNovember 11, 2025

Your Insights Needed: 2026 Special Needs Survey Now Open

Help shape the 2026 state of Special-Needs Transportation report! School district and contractor leaders — share your notes on ridership, equipment, and staffing by Dec. 31, 2025.

Read More →
SponsoredNovember 7, 2025

eBook: Good for the Fleet, Good for the Community

Learn how modern telematics helps pupil transportation fleets operate more safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while proving measurable value to their communities. See how real fleets are reducing idling, improving driver safety, and using video data to protect budgets and passengers alike.

Read More →

Survey: Homeless Student Identification Rises for Third Consecutive Year

New data reveals frontline perspectives on supporting some of America’s most vulnerable students, detailing transportation challenges and possible solutions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Kala Henkensiefken poses for a photo in the driver's seat of a school bus. Text reads: "From Driver to Mentor: Kala Henkensiefken."
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 11, 2025

From Driver to Mentor: Kala Henkensiefken's Legacy in Special Education Transportation

For decades, Henkensiefken has been a cornerstone of special education transportation in Minnesota. As she prepares for retirement, her career reflects on the industry's evolution and her unwavering commitment to its advancement.

Read More →