As more and more states contemplate the new school year following the Coronavirus lockdown, teachers, supervisors, and administrators have to determine strategies to safely open their schools. It is hoped that the advice will help guide stakeholders in their decision-making process to be better prepared to meet the current pandemic challenges in…

School buses approach individual custom design when all the options and accessories have been chosen. Available options and accessories are listed. (Author/MLF)

A checklist that drivers can follow to help keep school buses in top condition. (MLF)

Preventive school bus maintenance to reduce long-term costs should include daily visual inspections by drivers, frequent checks by mechanics, and comprehensive inspections every 5,000 miles. Mechanics recommend checking tail lights, batteries, brakes, lug nuts, leaf springs, tail pipes, and exhaust pipe hangers. (RW)

A Virginia school district has developed a curriculum of school bus safety objectives for each grade level (K-6). Produced as a complete package, the curriculum contains a lesson plan, expected outcomes, a listing of instructional aids, defined activities, and required student materials. Lists bus safety rules that are taught and those posted on…

School bus safety includes the development of safe drivers as well as student awareness. Outlines the McDowell County schools' (North Carolina) bus safety program. Includes discussion of whether high school students should drive school buses. (MD)

School boards can substantially minimize school bus fires with recently improved fire-resistant materials. Tests comparing fires in buses without resistant materials with fires controllable by protective materials demonstrate that manufacturers should be urged to improve materials. Materials would not prevent fires, but they would buy time to…

The deterrent to school bus accidents is preparedness. Training programs for drivers and mechanics, equipment specifications, and a community support base are some of the ways to prevent tragedy. (MLF)

Describes a computer program, developed for an Ohio school system, that monitors school bus repair and maintenance records. (MD)

Outlines a sample contract that a district might want to use if its buses are required for emergency use by local government. The contract addresses such areas as who drives, whether regular school bus regulations are observed, who pays for the fuel, and what the costs are to the user. (IRT)

Analyses of school bus accidents point to five accident-producing categories: (1) rear-end collisions; (2) sideswipes; (3) backing; (4) right turns; and (5) loading/unloading students. Reviews an accident of each type and focuses on the corrective action needed to reduce these accidents. (MLF)

Outlines the information necessary for schedule calculation of school bus runs. Describes the use of The Quick Route Optimizer software program for computer calculation of school bus routes. Includes four charts. (MD)

To avoid losing money when buying a bus, a school board should know its district's needs, use the district transportation officer's expertise, investigate local dealers' credentials, learn about differences in bus quality, follow detailed specifications, and pay promptly upon purchase. (RW)

Discusses the pros and cons of diesel fuel and propane gas as alternative fuel systems for school buses. (Author/MLF)

Provides 39 tips than can save school systems gas, money, or both. The tips are arranged in three categories--general policies, bus maintenance, and gas-saving purchases. (Author/IRT)