Two school buses loaded with children from a band camp collided with a tractor trailer on a Missouri highway today, killing at least two people and injuring as many as 50 others
Two large yellow school buses suffered front end damage and one of the buses was rammed on top of the tractor trailer cab. An SUV is wedged underneath one of the buses.
It was the last day of band camp and the children were on the annual end-of-camp trip to a Six Flags amusement park when the collision occurred about an hour from the school.
It was not immediately clear whether there were seatbelts on the buses.
Under Missouri law it is up to each individual school district to determine if they want to put seatbelts on buses over 10,000 pounds – which both of these buses were.
Dear NYAPT Members... I am inserting below a statement by the NYS School Boards Association regarding the action taken today by the NYS Legislature in an effort to address a $1.1 billion gap caused by Medicaid reimbursement shortfalls. These actions could lead to cuts in school aid as the school year begins as well as delays in aid payments normally available on September 1.
Please read the NYSSBA statement and please stay abreast of this issue as it will affect your entire school community and, as a result, your own operations and daily stresses and issues. It is important that we, as leaders, remain familiar with the range of issues affecting our communities. We will keep you posted as to any further implications for school transportation services and/or transportation aid.
Peter Mannella, Executive Director
In the midst of the extraordinary legislative session, the latest contingency plan may result in another mid-year state aid cut. NYSSBA's reaction is here.
Statement of New York State School Boards Association on FMAP Contingency Bill
The New York State School Boards Association has serious concerns about the state’s FMAP contingency plan.
In particular, the state is adopting a contingency plan that could result in a mid-year cut of $300 million or more in state school aid, should federal Medicaid funding be reduced. Moreover, the FMAP bill contains a provision allowing the September school aid payment to be delayed until September 30, rather than the first of the month as is the norm. The September aid payment is funded by the lottery, the proceeds of which must be used for education, not the replacement of federal Medicaid payments.
School districts are already dealing with the impact of a $1.4 billion cut in state aid. Adding another $300 million cut on top of this could mean further erosions in educational programs at a time when the State Education Department is raising the criteria for proficiency on state exams.
Payment delays, particularly at the start of the school year, could create further chaos in school districts.
We hope that the United States Senate will take up FMAP tomorrow as scheduled and provide necessary funding to New York State, making the contingency plan unnecessary
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: DUE TO STATE FUNDING DELAYS, NYSED HAS ADVISED PTSI TO REFER ALL SERVICE REQUESTS TO THE NYS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR:
All NPO, NPC and PIRP room approvals Driver/Monitor/Attendant course completion certificates Requests for lost certificates
MV 104F for school bus accidents should be sent to the SED, Office of Educational Management Services, Room 876 EBA, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12234, Attn: Pupil Transportation Unit.
PDS Registrations: Schedules or locations will not be posted until further notice from NYSED.
PLEASE CONTACT: James Dundon or Tim Newbury, 518-474-6541, Jdundon@mail.nysed.go and tnewbury@mail.nysed.go
Just in case you may not be aware – NYSERDA is offering more funding for diesel fuel fired heaters. Some of you already have this technology on your buses and some of you do not. The one’s who do can attest to the effectiveness on saving fuel. This funding will not be applied for by Erie County as in the past, you must apply on your own behalf. Below I have listed the funding number and your contact at NYSERDA. More information can be found on their web site. It is my understanding that the deadline is approaching fast so, if you would like to apply --- act fast. If you should need product information or pricing, I will be more then happy to help.
The hours-of-service regulations distinguish between property-carrying and passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles, and they address driving limits and recordkeeping for each. There are three basic driving limits for passenger-carrying vehicles: the 10-hour driving rule, the 15-hour on-duty/driving time rule, and the 60- or 70-hours-of-service rule. Briefly, those limits do not allow a driver to drive:
More than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty, or
After being on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty, or
After being on duty more than 60/70 hours in any 7/8 consecutive days.
Every motor carrier must require every driver to make a record of duty status (log), in duplicate, for each 24-hour period. A driver must also keep a copy of each record of duty status for the previous seven days. The regulations are specific as to what items must be recorded on a record of duty status.
A driver does not have to prepare a log if the driver operates within a 100-air-mile radius of the work reporting location, returns to the work reporting location and is released within 12 hours, and the carrier keeps certain time records for six months. The 10-hour driving rule and 60- or 70-hour limit still apply.
Motor carriers and drivers who do not complete and keep records of duty status or who make false records of duty status can be subject to fines or other penalties.
To all NYAPT Members and Colleagues, In recent weeks, we have learned that the Education Department is requiring additional steps for the purchase of video cameras and GPS systems when you purchase school buses. The question arose during a chapter meeting and we asked State Director Marion Edick to clarify.
In response to our question, Marion offered the following explanation:
In recognition of the high cost of such technology, SED requires the following for review and approval of GPS/video technology.
1. Board approval and discussion of the need for and approval to purchase cameras with GPS 2. Voter approval – clearly defined and visible in budget vote (footnote or other information in budget materials) preferred 3. Reason for GPS – must be required to ensure safety of pupils; demonstrable past history 4. Must have tried other measures first before leaping to the expense of GPS
While Marion also notes that you may purchase such equipment independently, you are encouraged to contact the Education Department if you want to determine whether the purchase may be eligible for state transportation aid.
We would like to take a moment of your time to inform you that the 2010 Western New York Tech – Mech Roadeo was held this past Saturday, March 27, 2010. The Host site again this year was Gorman Enterprise On Bullis Road.
We would again like to thank Mr. Bill Gorman for providing the site for the roadeo.
Just a brief run down of what districts were represented this year.
Pembroke Central School Lancaster Central School Kenmore – Tonawanda Central Ridge Road Express Inc Alexander Central School
It appeared that all attendees were having a good time of it. One thing for sure, they all walk away as winners . The first and second placements are listed below. For reference, there was a Tie for first place. We honored the tie and will be happy to send both Tech’s to Saratoga for the State Tech Mech in July.
1st place: Mike Klemann from Kenmore Tonawanda and Greg Phillips from Lancaster 2nd place: Adam Schafer from Pembroke Central
The link inserted below will take you to a new SED policy paper on the issue of Cooperative Bids for school transportation contracts. The policy is the result of years of debate over the policy and months of work with the Office of the State Comptroller, as well as the involvement of several districts on Long Island, according to State Director, Marion Edick.
Please review the policy to see how it applies to your needs and operations.
Link is as follows: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/schoolbus/Contracts/htm/cooperative_trans_bids.htm
TO: Article 19-A Motor Carriers and Certified Examiners
SUBJECT: Fingerprinting School Bus Drivers
We are pleased to announce a change in the method of fingerprinting school bus driver applicants. Fingerprints will soon be electronically scanned instead of manually rolled on cards with ink. This improvement provides a faster turn-around, increased accuracy and thereby fewer instances where fingerprints have to be retaken, increased security, reduced mailing costs, and electronic carriers will be able to add first-time school bus drivers to their rosters. General Overview The requirements for fingerprinting individuals who are applying for school bus driver positions pursuant to Article 19-A of the Vehicle and Traffic Law (19-A) are changing effective 02/08/2010. Fingerprints will no longer be taken using the ink and roll method on paper cards. Instead, fingerprints will be taken using electronic scanning technology; the prints will be electronically transmitted directly to DCJS. The Bus Driver Unit (BDU) will reject and return any paper ink and roll cards that are postmarked on or after 03/01/2010. [EXCEPTION: If ink-rolled fingerprints received by the BDU before 03/01/2010 are subsequently rejected by DCJS or the FBI as being unreadable, the driver must be fingerprinted again using the ink and roll method and the cards must be submitted to the BDU.] L-1 Identity Solutions (L-1) will provide the fingerprinting service using electronic scanning at enrollment centers located throughout New York State. Drivers must be fingerprinted at an L-1 enrollment center. The list of locations can be found on the L-1 website at www.L1Enrollment.com and can also be obtained by calling 1-877-472-6915. Electronic fingerprinting is done by appointment. An appointment can be made online at www.L1Enrollment.com or by calling 1-877-472-6915. The fee will be $111.00 per driver, payable to L-1 rather than the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The fee breaks down as follows: DCJS $75.00 FBI* 19.25 DMV 5.00 L-1 11.75 TOTAL $111.00 The FBI fee is $19.25 for electronically scanned fingerprints and $30.25 for ink-rolled prints on paper cards. New Procedures To use the new fingerprinting system, 19-A school bus carriers must follow these procedures: 1. All applicants must have a NYS client ID number. If the applicant is licensed in a state other than New York, the carrier must obtain a NYS client ID number for the applicant by completing form DS-500, Article 19-A Request For NYS Client ID Number, and mailing or faxing it to the BDU. Form DS-500 will be available on the DMV website at http://nysdmv.com/art19.htm and can be requested from the BDU. 2. For each driver, complete form DS-600, Request for NYS Fingerprinting Services – Information Form (copy enclosed). Form DS-600 will be available on the DMV website at http://nysdmv.com/art19.htm and can be requested from the BDU. The completed form should be taken to the L-1 enrollment center at the time of the fingerprinting appointment. 3. Schedule a fingerprinting appointment at an L-1 enrollment center. Selecting an L-1 fingerprinting location and scheduling an appointment can be done online at www.L1Enrollment.com or by calling 1-877-472-6915. The information on form DS-600 must be provided to L-1 when scheduling the appointment. Please note: The driver must present two acceptable proofs of identity to the L-1 enrollment officer at the time of fingerprinting. One of the proofs must be a photo commercial driver license, or commercial learner’s permit. The other proof can be any of the secondary proofs of identity that are listed on form DS-600. 4. Pay the required fee of $111.00 per driver. Payment can be made by credit card when scheduling the appointment online or by phone. Payment can also be made by check or money order, payable to L-1 Identity Solutions, at the L-1 enrollment center at the time of the fingerprinting appointment. Carriers have the option of establishing an escrow (draw-down) account with L-1. Information on establishing such an account can be found at http://www.l1enrollment.com/state/forms_ny/ or by calling 1-877-472-6915. 5. Once the driver has been fingerprinted by L-1, report the driver to the BDU. Carriers that use the 19-A system electronically can simply add the driver through that system. Carriers that do not use the electronic system must complete and submit form DS-870, Article 19-A Bus Driver Application. The DCJS and FBI background check results will be returned to DMV within a matter of days, unlike having to wait weeks when using ink and roll cards. If the scanned fingerprints are not readable due to poor image quality, L-1 will make three attempts to contact the client using the email address or phone number provided when the fingerprinting appointment was originally scheduled. The driver will be required to be fingerprinted again at an L-1 location; there will be no additional fee for this. Motor carriers that want to be notified when an applicant’s fingerprints need to be re-scanned should provide their email address, if available, and phone number rather than that of the applicant’s on form DS-600 and when scheduling the original appointment. Please share this information with all staff who will be involved in this process, including your business office, supervisors, managers, and administrators. If you have any questions, please contact the Bus Driver Unit at (518) 473-9455. Thank you. David J. Swarts Commissioner
"True Leaders:
Are not those who strive to be first, but those who are first to strive.
Give their all for the success of the team.
Are first to see the need, envison the plan and empower the team for action."
Reporting of Allowable and Non Allowable Pupils on the Non Allowable Pupil Decimal (NAPD) Worksheet Districts submitting the NAPD worksheet with their SAMS State Aid claim are required to report route information for a selected school day in the previous spring; e.g., a spring 2010 day is selected for NAPD worksheet submission with the 2010-11 SAMS State Aid claim.
Please note that beginning with the 2010-11 SAMS State Aid claim, districts completing the NAPD worksheet may report either the actual count of pupils transported on the selected date or the pupil counts obtained from the district's computerized routing software for the selected date.
