Bus driver accused of refusing to let students off at stop

The Arizona driver allegedly wouldn’t let students leave and drove back to the school. The district says he stopped the bus because the students were being too loud, and at one point a parent tried to pry open the bus door.

Bus driver accused of pushing, intimidating students

Colleen Weinstein of Arizona was charged with 20 counts of disorderly conduct and endangerment for pushing students, shouting at them and following them after they left the bus.

Arizona district pulls 11 buses after one catches fire

Tucson Unified School District took the buses out of operation because they are similar to the one that caught fire. The buses were bought from the same manufacturer at the same time.

Bees swarm school bus, trap students inside

About 20 students in Arizona were confined to their bus by bees that had gathered outside near the door. Firefighters sprayed a foam solution to get rid of the bees.

New NHTSA chief to speak at Love the Bus event

Administrator Mark Rosekind will be among the dignitaries at the American School Bus Council’s Feb. 10 event. He is slated to talk about the safety benefits of school buses.

New director takes helm at Arizona’s biggest district fleet

Jeanne Vandemark has taken over the role of director of transportation at Mesa Public Schools from Ron Latko, who retired in May. Vandemark’s career in transportation at Mesa stretches back 23 years and covers numerous positions, starting as a special-education bus driver.

PHOTOS: Back to school safety drill for bus drivers

District’s back to school safety drills engage, inspire drivers

Activities styled on the television reality show “The Amazing Race” and a court trial got school bus drivers for J.O. Combs Unified School District #44 in San Tan Valley, Arizona, thinking about the theme for the new school year, “Safety by Choice, Not by Chance.”

In retirement, Ron Latko launches consulting career

Soon after May 22, his last day working as director of transportation for Mesa Public Schools, Latko officially started Latko Consulting Inc. He plans to use his extensive knowledge in alternative fuels and expertise in pupil transportation to help school bus companies and propane companies improve sales, and assist districts across the U.S. in becoming more efficient and saving money.

School buses drive Dept. of Education’s Civil Rights Act event

The American School Bus Council takes part in the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Bus Ride to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. National School Transportation Association member Durham School Services provides the three yellow buses that are used in the event.