Colorado Springs (Colorado) School District 11 was the first to offer advertising opportunities via its school buses. This action was taken after new investment policies, self-insurance, contracting out, and salary freezes proved inadequate to offset voters' reluctance to increase taxes. Opposition was limited, due to strong community support and…

Each morning, 10 yellow school buses end their circuit through Montclair, New Jersey, to drop off 149 of Renaissance Middle School's 225 students. Community activists, almost forty years ago, had fought long and hard for school integration in this northern town. After court battles, parent meetings, community resistance, and ultimate victory, the…

In this article, the author explains why segregation still lives in Summerton, the town where the Brown v. Board of Education struggle began. The author traces the history of how the desegregation, which was court-ordered in 1970, has placed the students in Summerton still at a disadvantage. The Briggs v. Eliott case was the earliest of the five…

Presents five arguments against requiring seat belts on school buses, including the need for better trained drivers, the danger that students will be trapped by seat belts in emergencies, and other problems relating to practicality and cost. Included is an editorial insert indicating how safety advocates respond to such objections. (JBM)

Outlines what is required of school districts for compliance with new regulations that require employers to test drivers with a commercial driver's license for the illegal use of alcohol and controlled substances. (MLF)

Contracting for noneducational services is standard operating procedure in many school districts. Private contractors are involved in transportation, food service, maintenance, and even, in rare cases, instruction. Before deciding to contract out, school boards should examine improvement to school-run operations before making a final decision.…

Sexual harassment is commonplace in schools, particularly among adolescents. Although information on this topic is typically gathered from students and teachers, this study collected information from school bus drivers. Based on feedback from 58 school bus drivers, 39 (67%) reported observing students making sexual comments or jokes. Almost half…

Describes the situation created by busing in Milwaukee's public schools. The rise of support for school choice developed out of the failure of busing, which was Milwaukee's solution to school problems. Wisconsin now has a private-school voucher law. Busing has been less onerous since the city was divided into five zones from which parents of…

Describes an elaborate but inexpensive school bus disaster drill staged by Consolidated High School District No. 230 in Palos Hills, Illinois, to test community preparedness for such types of emergencies. (JBM)

The business services department staff found they could make a difference in a districtwide literacy initiative when they joined in school leaders' professional development.

Following the deaths of two elementary school students in bus-related accidents in 1992, the Coroner of Quebec held extensive hearings investigating school bus safety and accident prevention. A subsequent report addressed responsibilities of government and school board officials to correct deficiencies in school bus services and provided…

Presents a program that one school developed to address extortion and fighting on school buses. Fourth- and fifth-grade students were encouraged to become "flight attendants" on the buses. This enhanced students' sense of pride, responsibility, and interest in others, creating a safer atmosphere more conducive to learning and career…