Attendees of the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association and Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation joint winter conference were the first to see it, and now the rest of the school transportation personnel across the state will have their chance. As part of a collaborative effort that began a year ago, the “Inspecting Your School Bus” DVD trains drivers on how to give their buses a full, Department of Public Safety – mandated pre-trip analysis of their school bus. The DVD is currently for sale in Minnesota, but the associations plan on making it available nationally. The money from the DVD sales will be used to create videos about emergency procedures, fundamentals of school bus driving and student management. For more information, visit http://mnapt.org/home.htm.
From School Transportation News Magazine – March 2009
Sound Solution in Minnesota
State Sen. Rick Olseen introduced a bill to correct difficulties that cropped up after a law he authorized requiring Type III school bus drivers to get physicals caused problems for drivers at schools for the deaf.
Olseen introduced the orginial bill requiring drivers of vans and Suburbans to undergo physical examinations, submit to background checks and drug and alcohol testing and to undergo safety training last year after a critical statewide audit. But the physical requirement unintentionally prohibited some hearing-impaired staff at schools for the deaf from operating the vehicles.
The revised bill specifically exempts employees not hired expressly for the purpose of operating a Type III vehicle from the requirement. Sen. Olseen said these employees will still be subject to school employee background checks, and an annual review of their driver licenses should provide fair protection without the cost to districts. After the first bill was passed, he got many calls from districts about this burden, he said.
Not all are happy with the revised bill. The Minnesota School Bus Operators Association said the changes do well to help those hearing-impaired employees but go too far in eliminating requirements for teachers and coaches. The organization would like to see all who drive subject to the same requirements.
Here are a couple of pictures from the MAPT/MSBOA Winter Conference that was held in Mankato, MN January 9-10. Congratulations to BJ Ison from White Bear Lake Schools and Steve LaTour from Benjamin Bus for winning the pair of MN Wild Tickets!
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- Roger Milner from Vision lines up his shot on goalee Sales Manager Jason Anderson.
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- Eric Burrill from Benjamin Bus takes a shot on goal.
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- Peggy Lian takes a shot on goalee Sales Manager Jason Anderson.
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- Betty from Trobec’s Bus Service, Sales Manager Jason Anderson, and Roger Milner watches Betty’s shot on goal.
