2012 State and National Issues Presented to 64 th FAPT Symposium and Trade Show June 26, 2012...

2012 State and National Issues2012 State and National Issues

Presented to 64Presented to 64thth FAPT Symposium FAPT Symposium and Trade Showand Trade ShowJune 26, 2012June 26, 2012

Charlie Hood, Director, School TransportationCharlie Hood, Director, School TransportationFlorida Department of EducationFlorida Department of Education

School Transportation Management

Who Are We,And What Do We Do?

Florida Department of Education

Our Mission…

The School Transportation Management Section provides leadership, assistance, and training for school districts and other clients to ensure safe and efficient transportation of Florida's public school students.

Kay Kanupp, Program Specialist

Conducts advanced training classes for school district employees who provide training for new school bus drivers and other school personnel.

Provides training for school district driver instructors and other supervisors in innovative techniques and current topics and teaching methodologies to use in required annual in-service training programs for school bus drivers, including assisting in development and implementation of annual Driver Trainers/Leadership Workshop.

Conducts training of Commercial Driver License master trainers and examiner-trainers.

Evaluates effectiveness of course content and methods of instruction used by school districts in their basic and advanced school bus driver training.

Manages the School Bus Accident reporting system

Terri Egler, Program Specialist

Develops, implements, and monitors the state School Bus purchasing contract.

Oversees administrative aspects of the School Bus Inspector program.

Maintains online inventory database of district school bus information.

Notifies districts of vehicle recalls.

Manages Profiles data collection for Q-Link annual publication.

Jamie Warrington, Program Specialist

Joined STMS in February 2007. 13 years in school

transportation as a bus operator, dispatcher/supervisor and Sr. Supervisor prior to joining STMS

Currently responsible for ESE and Operations technical support and guidance

Coordinator for the school district transportation monitoring program

Manages the School Bus Driver Motor Vehicle Records System, Hazardous Walking Reporting

Katrina Bond, Staff Assistant

Joined STMS in 2001 Liaison for leave and

property Administer purchase

order requisitions Tracks and prepares

all aspects of travel Provides customer

and staff support

2012 Legislation--2012 Legislation--FailedFailed

• HB 19 and SBs 344, 348- To HB 19 and SBs 344, 348- To allowallow districts to sell districts to sell advertising space on the exterior of school buses; advertising space on the exterior of school buses; local policies and safeguards required for size, local policies and safeguards required for size, placement, and appropriate content of ads; recent placement, and appropriate content of ads; recent position papers from FAPT and NASDPTS on their position papers from FAPT and NASDPTS on their websiteswebsites

• OPPAGA released report in December assessing OPPAGA released report in December assessing national data on advertising and charging fees…national data on advertising and charging fees…


• HB 151 and SB 196- To require that all HB 151 and SB 196- To require that all children ages 4 through 7 use a federally children ages 4 through 7 use a federally approved child safety restraint seat or booster approved child safety restraint seat or booster seat in a motor vehicle (school buses seat in a motor vehicle (school buses exempted)exempted)


• SB 250 and HB 269- Would authorize use by SB 250 and HB 269- Would authorize use by school districts of “school bus traffic infraction school districts of “school bus traffic infraction detectors” to allow photo enforcement of school bus detectors” to allow photo enforcement of school bus stop law; contains related provisionsstop law; contains related provisions

• HB 187, others- To prohibit motorists, bus operators HB 187, others- To prohibit motorists, bus operators from using a hand-held cell phone or electronic from using a hand-held cell phone or electronic communications device while driving; to prohibit communications device while driving; to prohibit use of cell phone while driving in a school zoneuse of cell phone while driving in a school zone

2011 Legislation--2011 Legislation--PassedPassed

• HB 1331-HB 1331- Ch. 2011-128 revised Opportunity Ch. 2011-128 revised Opportunity Scholarship law to allow expansion of Scholarship law to allow expansion of parents’ option to choose higher performing parents’ option to choose higher performing schools, schools, with transportationwith transportation, within the , within the districtdistrict

• SB 1546-SB 1546- Established criteria for high Established criteria for high performing charter schools; no apparent performing charter schools; no apparent references to transportationreferences to transportation


• HB 1223, now at Chapter 2012-181-HB 1223, now at Chapter 2012-181- Revised Section 316.183 to allow school Revised Section 316.183 to allow school buses to travel at posted speed limit buses to travel at posted speed limit (removed 55 mph limit for school buses; (removed 55 mph limit for school buses; effective January 1, 2013)effective January 1, 2013)

Opportunity Scholarship Program(OSP)

Section 1002.38, Florida Statutes

Eligible School Criteria

School grade of “F” or three consecutive “Ds” as based on the statewide assessments

conducted pursuant to s. 1008.22, F.S.

Eligible Student Criteria

Those students assigned to or in attendance during the previous school year (by way of

assignment) at an OSP eligible school

District Obligations

Offer parents of affected students the option to enroll in a higher performing public school in

their district with transportation or in any other district in the state without

transportation

* higher performing is “C” or better based on performance grade


All parents of affected students in elementary and middle school assigned to or in

attendance during the previous school year (by way of assignment) must be notified of the

options within 15 days of notification by the Department


All parents of affected students in high school assigned to or in attendance during the

previous school year (by way of assignment) must be notified of the options no later than

30 days prior to the first day of school the next school year

* high school grades are available in late Fall

Opportunity Scholarship Program 2011

• 133,242 eligible students notified statewide• 5,904 eligible students requested and given

transfers

Notice Requirements for Opportunity Scholarship Program

Rule 6A-6.0950, F.A.C. adopted by State Board of Education, May 2012

Questions about OSP?

Contact via email Rachel Somers [email protected] or Vicki Maldonado [email protected] with the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice or

via phone at 1-850-245-0502


• AppropriationsAppropriations-- Student Transportation was Student Transportation was included in overall FEFP again for 2012-13, included in overall FEFP again for 2012-13, set at $420,264,335; reduced approx. 15% set at $420,264,335; reduced approx. 15% since 2007-08since 2007-08

• State (now FEFP) reimbursement for student State (now FEFP) reimbursement for student transportation has steadily declined (as transportation has steadily declined (as proportion of cost) from 66% in 1995 to 43% proportion of cost) from 66% in 1995 to 43% today…today…

School Bus Replacement WoesSchool Bus Replacement Woes

• Average Florida bus purchases in last two Average Florida bus purchases in last two years about 400 per yearyears about 400 per year

• Previous “norm” was about 1,200 per yearPrevious “norm” was about 1,200 per year• Average age of Florida buses is about 10 Average age of Florida buses is about 10

yearsyears• Buses are being retired at 16-20 years…Buses are being retired at 16-20 years…

2012 Bus Idling Policy Changes2012 Bus Idling Policy Changes

• State DEP rule prohibiting excessive idling State DEP rule prohibiting excessive idling of heavy duty diesel vehicles, including of heavy duty diesel vehicles, including school buses, was repealed in February 2012school buses, was repealed in February 2012

• Rule 6A-3.0171, FAC, however, still requires Rule 6A-3.0171, FAC, however, still requires that districts adopt local idling policies that districts adopt local idling policies (effective November 25, 2006)(effective November 25, 2006)

Other Required Local Policies Other Required Local Policies (Chapter 6A-3, FAC):(Chapter 6A-3, FAC):

• To prohibit cell phone use by drivers while To prohibit cell phone use by drivers while actively operating the busactively operating the bus

• Safe driver plans, including which infractions Safe driver plans, including which infractions disqualify a driverdisqualify a driver

• Annual safety instructions/notice for parents Annual safety instructions/notice for parents and students…and students…

Parent-Student Safety Parent-Student Safety InstructionsInstructions

• Safety instructions must be provided annually, in Safety instructions must be provided annually, in writing, as required by Rule 6A-3.0121writing, as required by Rule 6A-3.0121

• DOE’s “Are We There Yet?” brochure can be DOE’s “Are We There Yet?” brochure can be printed for parents and othersprinted for parents and others

• AWTY was updated in 2010AWTY was updated in 2010• Available atAvailable at www.FAPTFlorida.org www.FAPTFlorida.org, under the, under the

Manuals and PublicationsManuals and Publications linklink• School startup safety tips on DOE website…School startup safety tips on DOE website…

Legislation, Statutes, and RulesLegislation, Statutes, and Rules

• www.leg.state.fl.us (Florida legislative bills www.leg.state.fl.us (Florida legislative bills and statutes)and statutes)

• www.flrules.org (Florida rules and statutes, www.flrules.org (Florida rules and statutes, especially Chapter 6A-3, FAC, and Sections especially Chapter 6A-3, FAC, and Sections 1006.21 to 1006.27, and 1012.45, F.S.)1006.21 to 1006.27, and 1012.45, F.S.)

• www.regulations.gov (federal rulemakingwww.regulations.gov (federal rulemaking—dockets and public comments)—dockets and public comments)

Fatalities in 2010-11:Fatalities in 2010-11:

• Jefferson, 8/30/10- Bus driver killed when Jefferson, 8/30/10- Bus driver killed when bus ran off roadbus ran off road

• Leon, 8/31/10- Pedestrian student killed by Leon, 8/31/10- Pedestrian student killed by car as bus approached stopcar as bus approached stop

• Palm Beach, 9/8/10- Bicyclist student killed Palm Beach, 9/8/10- Bicyclist student killed by truck (not school bus related)by truck (not school bus related)

• Orange, 11/4/10- Ped student killed by hit and Orange, 11/4/10- Ped student killed by hit and run driver (not school bus related)run driver (not school bus related)


• Pasco, 2/21/11- SUV driver killed in crash Pasco, 2/21/11- SUV driver killed in crash with school buswith school bus

• Monroe, 4/13/11- Moped driver killed in Monroe, 4/13/11- Moped driver killed in crash with school buscrash with school bus

• Lake, 5/10/11- Student hit, killed at bus stop Lake, 5/10/11- Student hit, killed at bus stop (bus not present)(bus not present)

• Hillsborough, 5/31/11- Sleeping adult backed Hillsborough, 5/31/11- Sleeping adult backed over and killed by school busover and killed by school bus


• Baker, 7/11/11- Pedestrian student killed by Baker, 7/11/11- Pedestrian student killed by car (not school bus related)car (not school bus related)

• Santa Rosa, 11/10/11- Adult SUV driver Santa Rosa, 11/10/11- Adult SUV driver killed in crash with school buskilled in crash with school bus

• Polk, 1/17/12- High school freshman girl died Polk, 1/17/12- High school freshman girl died when run over by school bus while walkingwhen run over by school bus while walking

• Volusia, 2/2/12- High school boy hit by car Volusia, 2/2/12- High school boy hit by car (not school bus related)(not school bus related)


• St. Lucie, 3/26/12- 9-year old, Aaron St. Lucie, 3/26/12- 9-year old, Aaron Beauchamp, died on board bus that was hit by Beauchamp, died on board bus that was hit by semi-trucksemi-truck

• Duval, 5/4/12- 16-year old male student, Duval, 5/4/12- 16-year old male student, Jessie Herr, exited emergency door of bus Jessie Herr, exited emergency door of bus traveling about 40 mph and died latertraveling about 40 mph and died later

• Duval, 5/11/12- 30-year old bicyclist ran into Duval, 5/11/12- 30-year old bicyclist ran into bus and was killedbus and was killed

Summary (2010-11)Summary (2010-11)

• 2 motorists or passengers killed in other 2 motorists or passengers killed in other vehicles colliding with busvehicles colliding with bus

• 1 school bus driver fatality in bus crash1 school bus driver fatality in bus crash• 1 non-student pedestrian fatality when 1 non-student pedestrian fatality when

struck by busstruck by bus• 3 pedestrian and one bicyclist student 3 pedestrian and one bicyclist student

fatalities (that we were made aware of) fatalities (that we were made aware of) where school bus was not involvedwhere school bus was not involved

Summary (2011-12)Summary (2011-12)

• 1 SUV driver killed in crash with bus1 SUV driver killed in crash with bus• 1 pedestrian student killed when hit by school 1 pedestrian student killed when hit by school

busbus• 1 adult bicyclist fatality when struck by bus1 adult bicyclist fatality when struck by bus• 2 students killed while riding in school bus (1 2 students killed while riding in school bus (1

jumped from the bus exit door)jumped from the bus exit door)• 2 pedestrian student fatalities (that we were made 2 pedestrian student fatalities (that we were made

aware of) where school bus was not involvedaware of) where school bus was not involved

Crash Reporting Reminders:Crash Reporting Reminders:

• Reporting threshold is $1,000, started 07-08Reporting threshold is $1,000, started 07-08

• DOE is continuing to require that districts DOE is continuing to require that districts reconcile district-reported numbers (DOE reconcile district-reported numbers (DOE system) with police reports (DHSMV system) with police reports (DHSMV system)system)

• DOE receives daily clippings from DOE receives daily clippings from DHSMV of ALL fatal crashes in FloridaDHSMV of ALL fatal crashes in Florida

FATAL Crash ReportingFATAL Crash Reporting

• Districts Districts must providemust provide immediate notice of immediate notice of any fatal crash to FDOE as soon as practicalany fatal crash to FDOE as soon as practical

• Report by phone call and/or e-mailReport by phone call and/or e-mail• Helps district and FDOE answer immediate Helps district and FDOE answer immediate

questions from administrators, mediaquestions from administrators, media• Info is Info is alwaysalways treated as preliminary treated as preliminary • Not meant as substitute for regular FDOE and Not meant as substitute for regular FDOE and

police crash reportingpolice crash reporting

Charter SchoolsCharter Schools

• Now about 500 in Florida; 180K students, and Now about 500 in Florida; 180K students, and continuing to growcontinuing to grow

• Districts must ensure charter schools are following Districts must ensure charter schools are following laws and rules relating to health and safetylaws and rules relating to health and safety

• Currently revising Charter Schools Transportation Currently revising Charter Schools Transportation Resource GuideResource Guide

• Spring trainingSpring training for new charter schoolsfor new charter schools and and districtsdistricts held in May, 2012 in three locationsheld in May, 2012 in three locations

• Charter schools transporting 44K students (about Charter schools transporting 44K students (about 27% of enrollment, vs. 38% for other schools)27% of enrollment, vs. 38% for other schools)

National Congress on School National Congress on School Transportation, May 16-19, 2010Transportation, May 16-19, 2010

• Purpose was to update the National School Purpose was to update the National School Transportation Specifications and ProceduresTransportation Specifications and Procedures

• Florida’s delegation: Mike Connors, Greg Florida’s delegation: Mike Connors, Greg Akin, Fred Murphy, Jerry Klein, Tad Akin, Fred Murphy, Jerry Klein, Tad Kledzik, Bill SchroyerKledzik, Bill Schroyer

• NSTSP and other info atNSTSP and other info at www.NCSTOnline.org www.NCSTOnline.org

www.FloridaSchoolBusSafety.gov

National Poster Contest Winner, German Salazar Seminole County

SESPTC ScholarshipsSESPTC Scholarships

• SESPTC awarded two $1,000 scholarships SESPTC awarded two $1,000 scholarships again this year for 2012 -13 college expenses again this year for 2012 -13 college expenses to two graduating Florida high school seniorsto two graduating Florida high school seniors

• Students receiving awards were from Students receiving awards were from Gilchrist and DeSoto (daughter of Charlotte Gilchrist and DeSoto (daughter of Charlotte driver)driver)

• For next year’s opportunity, contact For next year’s opportunity, contact [email protected]@fldoe.org

Missing Children’s IssueMissing Children’s Issue

• Florida’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Florida’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board continues to Clearinghouse Advisory Board continues to coordinate effortscoordinate efforts

• Florida Missing Children’s Day event (fmcdf.org) Florida Missing Children’s Day event (fmcdf.org) will be held Monday, September 10, 2012 at the will be held Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Florida CapitolFlorida Capitol

• An award presentation will be made to Florida’s An award presentation will be made to Florida’s School Bus Operator of the YearSchool Bus Operator of the Year

• FAPT is one of the event sponsorsFAPT is one of the event sponsors

Issues on the National RadarIssues on the National Radar • NTSB- Recent crash investigation reports on NTSB- Recent crash investigation reports on

motorcoaches (NTSB cited fatigue, faulty motorcoaches (NTSB cited fatigue, faulty maintenance in several crashes); Gray maintenance in several crashes); Gray Summit, Missouri crashSummit, Missouri crash

• Bullying prevention- USED curriculum; Bullying prevention- USED curriculum; release of movie, “Bully”; news reportsrelease of movie, “Bully”; news reports

• School buses exempted from electronic School buses exempted from electronic stability control (ESC)stability control (ESC)

• Bus thermal events Bus thermal events

Issues on the National RadarIssues on the National Radar • NTSB- NTSB-

• Gray Summit, Missouri- two persons killed Gray Summit, Missouri- two persons killed (one in school bus); caused by teen pickup (one in school bus); caused by teen pickup driver texting; several findings relating to lax driver texting; several findings relating to lax bus maintenance; need for electronic onboard bus maintenance; need for electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs); changes to school bus recorders (EOBRs); changes to school bus emergency window design; driver operational emergency window design; driver operational training and procedures; recommended training and procedures; recommended complete ban on use of personal electronic complete ban on use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) by motorists while drivingdevices (PEDs) by motorists while driving

““Hot Topics” in Hot Topics” in YellowYellow World World

• Transportation SecurityTransportation Security• Distracted DrivingDistracted Driving• Drive-bysDrive-bys• FUNDING challenges, service cutbacks, FUNDING challenges, service cutbacks,

threats to ridership, OLD busesthreats to ridership, OLD buses• Records checks; MECs, NRCMERecords checks; MECs, NRCME

FAPT Website and ListServeFAPT Website and ListServe

• www.FAPTFlorida.org www.FAPTFlorida.org • Calendar of EventsCalendar of Events• [email protected]@faptflorida.org- Use this address - Use this address

if you want to send email to all FAPT if you want to send email to all FAPT General MembersGeneral Members

• [email protected]@faptflorida.org- for FAPT - for FAPT Supplier MembersSupplier Members

Contact FAPT at:Contact FAPT at:

• (407) GRO-FAPT (407) GRO-FAPT (476-3278); (476-3278); newnew FAPT central phone numberFAPT central phone number

• [email protected]@FAPTFlorida.org

• www.FAPTFlorida.org www.FAPTFlorida.org

Resources and Links:Resources and Links:

• www.flrules.org/default.aspwww.flrules.org/default.asp

• www.leg.state.fl.uswww.leg.state.fl.us

• www.fldoe.org/transportationwww.fldoe.org/transportation

• www.FAPTFlorida.orgwww.FAPTFlorida.org

• www.NASDPTS.orgwww.NASDPTS.org

• www.AmericanSchoolBusCouncil.orgwww.AmericanSchoolBusCouncil.org

Questions and Comments?Questions and Comments?

www.fldoe.org/transportationwww.fldoe.org/[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]@fldoe.org

2012 State and National Issues Presented to 64 th FAPT Symposium and Trade Show June 26, 2012...

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