Linda Bluth partners with School Bus Safety Co.

Bluth, who just finished her term as president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation, is now available to train drivers and trainers on School Bus Safety Co.’s courses.

12th person completes NAPT special-needs training

Tami Lynn Cooper is an employee of Student Transportation of America in Goleta, Calif. The NAPT Special Needs Training Program consists of six special-needs courses in a variety of different settings, including a school bus roadeo and a trade show, and it is supplemented by two courses from the NAPT Professional Development Series Program.

Ariz. driver named Special Needs Driver of the Year

Cyndi Masters of Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District No. 6 receives the honor at the annual Arizona Association for Pupil Transportation Fall Conference last month. Masters, who is the fourth district driver to receive the honor in 15 years, gives her winnings to the district's transportation department for a special fund.

Va. DOE reviews district’s special-needs training procedures

The announcement comes after a $20 million suit was filed against the Bedford County school system over alleged beatings transportation aides administered to a severely autistic student in 2009. The incident was reportedly captured on the bus’ surveillance camera.

Specific special-needs evacuations: TBI and near drowning

Students who have suffered a traumatic brain injury or near drowning will require close physical safeguards and assistance in a bus evacuation. The commotion could set off a seizure.

Wheelchair use study discussed at NAPT Summit

Mary Ellen Buning of the University of Louisville in Kentucky spoke to attendees about the preliminary findings and data from a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center study on wheelchair use and safety in school transportation. Bus drivers and attendants were surveyed and asked questions related to training, wheelchair securement and lap-shoulder restraints, among other topics.

REMINDER: <I>SBF</i> to spotlight school bus heroes

Our "Heroes in School Transportation" feature will again profile people in the industry who have saved a life or performed some other heroic act. The deadline for nominations is this Friday, Nov. 4.

NAPT Summit 2011

School bus officials cite concerns on flammability lobbying

Chemical companies are reportedly funding a nonprofit group that is lobbying state legislatures to adopt additional flammability standards for school buses. A new position paper from NASDPTS explains that the standards being proposed aren't suited for pupil transportation — and the industry's own national specifications are actually more stringent.

Training videos on sale at Education Compliance Group

With owner Peggy Burns moving soon, the company is offering a 25-percent discount on all video training programs until Nov. 16.