Evacuating passengers with special needs and equipment

Pupil transportation officials must have access to medical information on the students they are transporting, especially when the students are dependent on medical equipment and others for their care. They must also have a well-developed evacuation plan for all students that they transport.

Special-needs bus driver hasn’t missed work in a decade

A factor that has reportedly influenced Patrick Dufrene’s perfect attendance is his feeling that it’s not just his job, but his responsibility to make sure that the students he transports get an education.

Video shows inside of bus during accident

In the footage released by San Antonio Independent School District, a car can be seen colliding with the bus, and the bus begins to crash through an interstate overpass. The video cuts out before the bus hits the access road below.

Calif. bill aims to allow more funds for special-needs busing

The bill's author, Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, says that it will enable school districts to draw down more federal funds for transporting students with disabilities. The legislation, signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, goes into effect on Jan. 1.

Pics from Memphis: 2012 NASDPTS conference

NASDPTS looks at ways to enhance training, service

From routing strategies to innovative facilities, speakers at the state directors conference share numerous ideas for enhancing school bus service and training. The NASDPTS membership continues to change, now with Colorado state director Bruce Little announcing his coming retirement and Greta Bleau taking on the role.

School bus plunges off overpass in Texas

A 7-year-old boy and two adults were recovering in a hospital from injuries they sustained in Thursday’s accident in San Antonio. Police say the bus fell about 15 feet to the access road below after colliding with a car.

Special-needs transporter named district’s Driver of the Year

Pennsylvania’s Pennsbury School District gives Debra Roche the honor for the 2011-12 school year. Roche, chosen out of 135 school bus drivers, has nearly 40 years of experience at the wheel and has transported special-needs students for the past decade.

Driver, monitor fired for leaving student behind on bus

The boy, who has special needs, falls asleep on the way to school, and the driver and aide discover him after returning from lunch about 30 minutes later. They are placed on administrative leave and terminated the next day.

District investigates student handcuffing incident

Police handcuff the autistic student after responding to a call from his bus driver and aide, who report that they and two students were bitten after the boy became aggressive and escaped his seat harness. The boy’s mother says the situation should have been handled differently.