CAMARILLO, Calif. — First Student will provide school transportation to a new community in Southern California this fall.

The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) has awarded the school bus contractor a new five-year contract to operate, maintain, and manage all of its student transportation services.

First Student said that it was selected, in part, due to its practices supporting special-education students and families. All of the company’s special-needs drivers participate in annual training that covers topics such as inclusion, characteristics of a special-needs student, sensitivity, student behavior management, supporting parents' unique needs, and emergency precautions.

First Student will replace VCOE’s entire fleet with nearly 100 new school buses. All buses will be equipped with GPS tracking systems, crossing gates, and the Child Check-Mate electronic reminder system.

“We look forward to beginning our first school year with the Ventura County Office of Education,” said Lisa Serra, First Student area general manager. “We are committed to providing VCOE’s students and families with the safest and most reliable transportation for years to come.”