Georgia, Idaho officials earn special-needs endorsement

Melissa Davis of Georgia's DeKalb County Schools and Rex Squires of Idaho's Blaine County School District are the latest to complete the Special Needs Transportation Training program.

Past national champs take top spots in California roadeo

Antonio Perez of San Dieguito Union High School District, a winner at the national level last year, places first at this year's California state school bus driver competition. Brent Carman, who has won national championships multiple times, places third.

Lawrence training scholarships, Bluth field trip grant available

Peter and Linda Lawrence have again endowed four scholarships that will help four bus driver trainers or front line supervisors attend the National Association for Pupil Transportation Summit this year in Grand Rapids, Mich., by covering the cost of registration fees. Dr. Linda Bluth and her partner, Betsy Eisman, endowed their annual $500 grant to help association members provide an enhanced learning experience for students.

Anchors work with Q'Straint and Sure-Lok securements

By using the new OMNI Floor Anchor Systems, operators can mix and match retractors and manual belts from both Q’Straint and Sure-Lok. Company officials said that the OMNI line takes the guesswork out of securing passengers in school buses and other vehicles.

5 more earn special-needs endorsement

Susan Hill-Smith, Molly McDonald, Thomas Weeks, Karen Irwin and Doug Drummond are the latest to complete the Special Needs Transportation Training program.

Officer back at work after gun fires on special-needs bus

The Winchester, Va., police officer had been placed on paid administrative leave, but he resumed his duties after investigators determined that the gun discharging was not his fault. The officer had calmed a disruptive student on the bus and was sitting next to him when the student reached into the officer's holster and squeezed the trigger with his finger, according to police.

Para-athlete to serve as Q’Straint brand ambassador

Victoria Arlen is a gold medal-winning para-athlete swimmer who participated in and received top honors at last summer’s Paralympic Games in London, and she was recently chosen to participate in the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships in Montreal in August. Arlen, whose personal mobility vehicle is equipped with Q’Straint retractors, will appear in Q’Straint ads in national trade publications.

Vintage School Buses

REMINDER: <I>SBF</i> Photo Contest returns

The deadline for SCHOOL BUS FLEET’s Ninth Annual Photo Contest has been extended to Friday, May 24. Three winners will receive a $100 cash prize.

3 complete NAPT special-needs program

Lynn Head of Illinois, Debbie Rike of Tennessee and Viki Wassink of Utah earn the association's Special Needs Transportation Training endorsement.