New Jersey district boosts training with bus crash drill

Perth Amboy Public Schools' transportation department conducts the full-scale drill in partnership with the city's police and fire departments, as well as EMS personnel and students, to better prepare all involved in the event of a real emergency. Transportation Manager Edmund Treadaway discusses the event, which was nine months in the making.

PHOTOS: Boosting Training with Bus Crash Drill

New Jersey contracting veteran George Dapper passes

Dapper passed away on Friday at the age of 68. He began working full time for his father’s business, George Dapper Inc., in 1969, and under Dapper’s leadership, the company’s fleet grew to 475 school vehicles, including school buses. Eric Raphael of Irvin Raphael Inc. spoke fondly of his colleague, saying, “George was a mentor and role model to me my entire life.”

Former manager sentenced for stealing $572K from districts

Michelle Pumilia is sentenced to five years in New Jersey state prison without the possibility of parole, and she is permanently barred from public employment and must forfeit all public pension and retirement benefits. From 2005 to 2012, while she was employed at two different school districts, Pumilia stole the majority of the money by authorizing payments to fictitious bus companies for transportation services that were never provided to the districts.

New Jersey district focuses on efficiency, staff appreciation

Since joining Green Brook Township Public Schools in 2008, Transportation Supervisor Nancy Farinella has been able to achieve annual cost savings ranging from $50,000 to more than $150,000 by making the operation more efficient while also bringing in an average of $125,000 per year in revenue for the district. She discusses how, along with her passion for her team.

Bill would mandate special-needs training for drivers, aides

The New Jersey legislation would require the commissioner of education to develop such a program, and it would need to include, at minimum, instruction on appropriate behavior management, effective communication, use and operation of adaptive equipment, and understanding behaviors that may be related to specific disabilities.

Boy struck by school bus in New Jersey, later dies

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office says that while the bus was stopped to pick up children, “the victim began walking around the front of the bus” and “when the vehicle began moving forward again, it struck the child.” An investigation is ongoing, and counselors are made available throughout the district where the boy attended school.

Gatekeeper Systems secures Sheppard Bus contract

The company will supply mobile video solutions for the New Jersey-based school bus contractor’s fleet. Doug Dyment, president and CEO of Gatekeeper, says the contract enables the company to expand sales “in geographic regions where there has previously been limited exposure.”

Bus driver admits to DUI with students on board

A New Jersey woman recently pleaded guilty to operating a school bus with 25 students on board while she was impaired by alcohol in November 2011. During the trip home on that day, several students called their parents and expressed fear at the way she was driving.

No criminal charges for bus, truck drivers in fatal New Jersey crash

The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office completes its investigation of the February 2012 crash that killed an 11-year-old girl and injured 17 other students in Chesterfield Township. Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi says that upon review of the findings from his office’s investigation and the National Transportation Safety Board’s findings, “the negligent conduct of the parties does not rise to the required level of recklessness that would be needed to bring criminal charges."