Special-Needs Briefs — 7/7/08
Wisconsin district to merge special- and regular-ed fleets STEVENS POINT, Wis. — As part of a plan to simultaneously reduce fuel consumpt...
Wisconsin district to merge special- and regular-ed fleets
STEVENS POINT, Wis. — As part of a plan to simultaneously reduce fuel consumption and integrate students, a local district’s 200-plus special-needs students will ride with regular-ed students at the start of the upcoming school year. To read the full story, click here.
Driver asked to remove décor from special-needs bus
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Last month, First Student bus driver Beth Rowen was asked by company officials to remove the stickers, picture books and dolls she had placed inside her bus to make her special-needs students feel comfortable while riding to and from school. A company spokeswoman said it is adhering to a section of the California Highway Patrol code that prohibits such material on school buses. To read the full story, click here.
Tennessee district struggles to find funding for bus monitors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Following recommendations from city officials during recent budget hearings, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools has begun a process to hire nearly 200 monitors for its special-needs buses, despite only having funds for 20. To read the full story, click here.
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Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
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NY Coalition Calls for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
A new statewide coalition is urging New York lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
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America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
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School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
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The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
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Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
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Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
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School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
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9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
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Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
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