Demonstrating the level of collaboration that is happening more and more frequently nationwide, a Durham School Services location about 7 miles south of the Chicago and Wisconsin border partnered with emergency personnel from three local cities to conduct an evacuation training drill in response to a fatal bus crash last month.

New York’s public and private school-bus associations testified today before the Senate Committee on Transportation against three similar pieces of legislation that would require ignition interlocks on school buses to guard against drunk drivers. 

Throughout the time Audrae Barnes underwent high-risk surgery to remove a nickel-sized tumor near his brain stem followed by various forms of therapy, the transportation director for Hattiesburg (Miss.) Public School District still had school buses on his mind.

The Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act of 2013 re-introduced last week in the U.S. Senate would make transportation services for low-income students to the school of origin and related child services allowable uses of Title I, Part A funds.

Two young students lost their lives last week after attempting to cross the street on their own — one was struck by the rear tire of a yellow bus and the second by a truck driver who illegally passed her bus. Every year a dozen or more schoolchildren are killed around their school bus or bus stop, and most accidents occur while they are crossing the road.