Former bus driver to serve 25 years for molesting student

Richard Evans is sentenced to 25 years and four months in prison for picking up a special-needs student on his bus, pulling into a residential neighborhood and molesting her late last year. The crime was captured on surveillance tape.

District: Student’s fall from bus ‘could have been avoided’

Officials arrive at this conclusion following an investigation of a June incident in which a special-needs student jumped from the rear exit of the moving bus and fell onto a freeway. A district spokesman says the driver and aide did not adhere to district policy — the aide, for instance, was sitting at the front of the bus instead of in the middle to monitor students.

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Specific Special-Needs Evacuations: DMD

Part 2 of this series focuses on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which causes deterioration of muscle tissue in boys. Knowing how to lift these passengers properly is critical for a safe emergency exit from the bus.

Krapf acquires Septran Inc.

Septran provides school transportation for special-needs students in Illinois and Minnesota. Blake Krapf, CEO of Krapf Bus Companies Inc., says that the owner and founder of Septran is ready to retire and wanted to ensure that the company he built continues to be family-owned and employee-centered.

NAPT special-needs training program offered nationwide

The association’s Special Needs Training Program will be available throughout the year at various events around the country. The curriculum explores such issues as the legal basis for special-needs transportation, and activities include observation of or participation in a special-needs roadeo and attendance at a trade show featuring special-needs products and services.

Review: Transporting Students With Special Needs

Special-needs transportation specialist Cheryl Wolf writes that this training course by the School Bus Safety Co. is a "great resource" that provides a large amount of information on the topic. The program includes a driver’s job aid that can be placed on the bus as a step-by-step reminder of best practices.

Special-needs student survives fall from bus on freeway

The boy only sustains lacerations after falling out of the bus' rear emergency exit. District officials say freeway noise may have prevented the driver from hearing an alarm signaling that the door was open. When an attendant goes to check on the student, she sees the door is partially open and that the boy is not in the bus.

School bus bullying program unveiled

The training was developed by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, with input from NAPT. The materials are available for free download.