2011 State of the State: Still Doing More with Less Presented to 63 rd FAPT Symposium June 28, 2011 Charlie Hood, Director, School Transportation Florida Department of Education

2009 Legislation--Passed SB 344- Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law- Provided that not wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle is now a primary enforcement actionSB 344- Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law- Provided that not wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle is now a primary enforcement action HB 481 and SB Increased penalty for illegal passing of bus by $65; funds go to trauma centersHB 481 and SB Increased penalty for illegal passing of bus by $65; funds go to trauma centers

2009 Legislation--Passed SB Revised s , FS, to require that contiguous districts have reciprocal agreements for school bus transportation services, inspections, and screening requirements for public schools, including charter schoolsSB Revised s , FS, to require that contiguous districts have reciprocal agreements for school bus transportation services, inspections, and screening requirements for public schools, including charter schools

2010 Legislation--Failed HB 179, SB 316- To require children ages 4 through 7 be in booster seats in motor vehicles (not including school buses); Florida is one of three states without this law.HB 179, SB 316- To require children ages 4 through 7 be in booster seats in motor vehicles (not including school buses); Florida is one of three states without this law. Distracted Driving- Various bills that would have prohibited texting and other forms of distracted drivingDistracted Driving- Various bills that would have prohibited texting and other forms of distracted driving

2010 Legislation--Failed HB 599, SB Would have authorized hazardous walking funding for middle and high school students; would have increased transportation funding eligibility for grades to three miles or more; would have allowed exterior ads on busesHB 599, SB Would have authorized hazardous walking funding for middle and high school students; would have increased transportation funding eligibility for grades to three miles or more; would have allowed exterior ads on buses SB 896- Would have required training for bus drivers in recognition of diabetes symptoms and responseSB 896- Would have required training for bus drivers in recognition of diabetes symptoms and response

2010 Legislation--Passed Appropriations- Student Transportation was included in overall FEFP again for , set at $431MAppropriations- Student Transportation was included in overall FEFP again for , set at $431M HB 221- Ronshay Dugans Act; created Drowsy Driving Prevention WeekHB 221- Ronshay Dugans Act; created Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

2010 Legislation--Passed HB To prohibit school personnel from manually physically restraining students with disabilities except in emergencies; requires district policies on whether bus drivers should be trained in manual physical restraint techniques

2011 Legislation--Failed HBs 109 and 315; SBs 558 and All four bills would allow districts to sell advertising space on the exterior of school buses; local policies and safeguards required for size, placement, and appropriate content of ads; recent position papers from FAPT and NASDPTS on their websitesHBs 109 and 315; SBs 558 and All four bills would allow districts to sell advertising space on the exterior of school buses; local policies and safeguards required for size, placement, and appropriate content of ads; recent position papers from FAPT and NASDPTS on their websites

2011 Legislation--Failed HB 11 and SB 238- To require that all children ages 4 through 7 use a federally approved child safety restraint seat or booster seat in a motor vehicle (school buses exempted).HB 11 and SB 238- To require that all children ages 4 through 7 use a federally approved child safety restraint seat or booster seat in a motor vehicle (school buses exempted).

2011 Legislation--Passed HB Ch revises Opportunity Scholarship law to allow expansion of parents’ option to choose higher performing schools, with transportation, within the districtHB Ch revises Opportunity Scholarship law to allow expansion of parents’ option to choose higher performing schools, with transportation, within the district SB Establishes criteria for high performing charter schools; no apparent references to transportationSB Establishes criteria for high performing charter schools; no apparent references to transportation

2011 Legislation--Passed Student Trans. Appropriations- Governor’s budget rec. for was $427M (-0.85%), still within FEFP, but proposed as “Education Choice Fund”Student Trans. Appropriations- Governor’s budget rec. for was $427M (-0.85%), still within FEFP, but proposed as “Education Choice Fund” Appropriations- Student Transportation was included in overall FEFP again for , set at $415,449,129; reduced approx. 16% since Appropriations- Student Transportation was included in overall FEFP again for , set at $415,449,129; reduced approx. 16% since

2011 Legislation--Failed SB Would authorize use by school districts of “school bus traffic infraction detectors” to allow photo enforcement of stop law; contains related provisionsSB Would authorize use by school districts of “school bus traffic infraction detectors” to allow photo enforcement of stop law; contains related provisions HB 833- Prohibits operators from using a hand-held cell phone or electronic communications device while operating school busHB 833- Prohibits operators from using a hand-held cell phone or electronic communications device while operating school bus SB 724- Prohibits use of cell phone while driving in a school zoneSB 724- Prohibits use of cell phone while driving in a school zone

Required Local Policies (Chapter 6A-3, FAC): To prohibit cell phone use by drivers while actively operating the busTo prohibit cell phone use by drivers while actively operating the bus Safe driver plans, including which infractions disqualify a driverSafe driver plans, including which infractions disqualify a driver Annual safety instructions/notice for parents and studentsAnnual safety instructions/notice for parents and students

District Idling Policy Required: Rule 6A , FAC, requires that districts adopt local idling policies (effective November 25, 2006)Rule 6A , FAC, requires that districts adopt local idling policies (effective November 25, 2006) Districts should ensure local policies are consistent with (and no less stringent than) the state DEP idling ruleDistricts should ensure local policies are consistent with (and no less stringent than) the state DEP idling rule NASDPTS working on model national idling reduction programNASDPTS working on model national idling reduction program

Legislation, Statutes, and Rules (Florida legislative bills and statutes) (Florida legislative bills and statutes) (Florida rules and statutes, especially Chapter 6A-3, FAC, and Sections to , and , F.S.) (Florida rules and statutes, especially Chapter 6A-3, FAC, and Sections to , and , F.S.) (federal rulemaking— dockets and public comments) (federal rulemaking— dockets and public comments)

Fatalities in (requiring school bus crash report to FDOE): Brevard, 9/1/09- Pickup truck driver crossed into path of bus, head-on; died 9/16/09Brevard, 9/1/09- Pickup truck driver crossed into path of bus, head-on; died 9/16/09 Escambia, 9/14/09- Teen driver ran stop sign and was hit by bus; died next day Escambia, 9/14/09- Teen driver ran stop sign and was hit by bus; died next day Clay, 9/29/09- Teen driver and adult rear- ended bus stopped to turn left; both diedClay, 9/29/09- Teen driver and adult rear- ended bus stopped to turn left; both died Palm Beach, 10/5/09- Adult male pedestrian allegedly jaywalking and died when hit by busPalm Beach, 10/5/09- Adult male pedestrian allegedly jaywalking and died when hit by bus

Fatalities in (requiring school bus crash report to FDOE): Highlands, 10/29/09- Motorcyclist crashed into bus in foggy weather and diedHighlands, 10/29/09- Motorcyclist crashed into bus in foggy weather and died Lee, 11/23/09- Motorist killed in early morning crash into school busLee, 11/23/09- Motorist killed in early morning crash into school bus Lee, 12/3/09- Adult driver and passenger of Honda Civic killed when the car veered into the path of a busLee, 12/3/09- Adult driver and passenger of Honda Civic killed when the car veered into the path of a bus

Fatalities in (requiring school bus crash report to FDOE): Gadsden, 3/8/10- High school age female bus passenger killed when bus driver lost control and ran off roadGadsden, 3/8/10- High school age female bus passenger killed when bus driver lost control and ran off road Miami-Dade, 3/17/10- Car driver rear-ended bus and was killedMiami-Dade, 3/17/10- Car driver rear-ended bus and was killed Polk, 4/22/ year old car driver killed in impact with Lake Wales charter school busPolk, 4/22/ year old car driver killed in impact with Lake Wales charter school bus Miami-Dade, 6/3/10- Motorcyclist hit left front of bus and was killedMiami-Dade, 6/3/10- Motorcyclist hit left front of bus and was killed

Fatalities (other): Bay, 10/28/09- Brother and sister hit by car while crossing to get to bus stop before bus arrived; the six-year old was killedBay, 10/28/09- Brother and sister hit by car while crossing to get to bus stop before bus arrived; the six-year old was killed Pinellas, 12/18/09- Teen girl killed by motorist while crossing busy intersection against light to get to nearby stopped school bus Pinellas, 12/18/09- Teen girl killed by motorist while crossing busy intersection against light to get to nearby stopped school bus Polk, 12/22/09- Teen student struck and killed by teen driver while walking home from schoolPolk, 12/22/09- Teen student struck and killed by teen driver while walking home from school

Fatalities (other): Leon, 3/23/10- Pedestrian student hit by car while walking to a public transit stopLeon, 3/23/10- Pedestrian student hit by car while walking to a public transit stop Marion, 5/28/10- Lake Weir Middle School Student killed by truck while waiting at her school bus stopMarion, 5/28/10- Lake Weir Middle School Student killed by truck while waiting at her school bus stop Volusia, 6/1/ year old middle school killed by car driver after her school bus had dropped her offVolusia, 6/1/ year old middle school killed by car driver after her school bus had dropped her off

The Sad Statistics ( ) 1 on-board student fatality1 on-board student fatality 10 motorists or passengers killed in other vehicles colliding with bus10 motorists or passengers killed in other vehicles colliding with bus 1 non-student pedestrian fatality when struck by bus1 non-student pedestrian fatality when struck by bus 6 pedestrian student fatalities (that we were made aware of) where school bus was not involved6 pedestrian student fatalities (that we were made aware of) where school bus was not involved

Crash Reporting Reminders: Reporting threshold is $1,000, started 07-08Reporting threshold is $1,000, started DOE is continuing to require that districts reconcile district-reported numbers (DOE system) with police reports (DHSMV system)DOE is continuing to require that districts reconcile district-reported numbers (DOE system) with police reports (DHSMV system) DOE receives daily clippings from DHSMV of ALL fatal crashes in FloridaDOE receives daily clippings from DHSMV of ALL fatal crashes in Florida

FATAL Crash Reporting Districts must provide immediate notice of any fatal crash to FDOE as soon as practicalDistricts must provide immediate notice of any fatal crash to FDOE as soon as practical Report by phone call and/or Report by phone call and/or Helps district and FDOE answer immediate questions from administrators, mediaHelps district and FDOE answer immediate questions from administrators, media Info is always treated as preliminaryInfo is always treated as preliminary Not meant as substitute for regular FDOE and police crash reportingNot meant as substitute for regular FDOE and police crash reporting

Parent-Student Safety Instructions Safety instructions must be provided annually, in writing, as required by Rule 6A Safety instructions must be provided annually, in writing, as required by Rule 6A DOE’s “Are We There Yet?” brochure can be printed for parents and othersDOE’s “Are We There Yet?” brochure can be printed for parents and others AWTY was updated in 2010AWTY was updated in 2010 Available at under the Manuals and Publications linkAvailable at under the Manuals and Publications linkwww.FAPTFlorida.org

Charter Schools Now almost 400 in Florida; continuing to growNow almost 400 in Florida; continuing to grow Districts must ensure charter schools are following laws and rules relating to health and safetyDistricts must ensure charter schools are following laws and rules relating to health and safety Currently revising Charter Schools Transportation Resource GuideCurrently revising Charter Schools Transportation Resource Guide More to come tomorrow in presentation by Adam Miller, FDOE Charter Schools DirectorMore to come tomorrow in presentation by Adam Miller, FDOE Charter Schools Director

National Congress on School Transportation, May 16-19, 2010 Purpose was to update the National School Transportation Specifications and ProceduresPurpose was to update the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures Florida’s delegation: Mike Connors, Greg Akin, Fred Murphy, Jerry Klein, Tad Kledzik, Bill SchroyerFlorida’s delegation: Mike Connors, Greg Akin, Fred Murphy, Jerry Klein, Tad Kledzik, Bill Schroyer NSTSP and other info at and other info at

Illegal Passing Survey Coordinated by NASDPTS ( ml)Coordinated by NASDPTS ( ml) Florida’s survey was March 2 nd in most of the 64 participating districtsFlorida’s survey was March 2 nd in most of the 64 participating districts 12,967 bus operators reported 8,917 illegal pass violations on day of survey12,967 bus operators reported 8,917 illegal pass violations on day of survey 271 (3%) on right side of bus271 (3%) on right side of bus

National Poster Contest Winner, German Salazar Seminole County

Issues on the National Radar NTSB-NTSB- Milton, FL crash; bus rolled twice; injuries mitigated by use of lap beltsMilton, FL crash; bus rolled twice; injuries mitigated by use of lap belts Huntsville, AL; driver not wearing belt; NTSB did not specifically cite lack of driver belt as cause, but many believe it wasHuntsville, AL; driver not wearing belt; NTSB did not specifically cite lack of driver belt as cause, but many believe it was SIR on Pedal Misapplication; NTSB recommending training for drivers, event data recorders, measures to separate students from bus traffic at schoolsSIR on Pedal Misapplication; NTSB recommending training for drivers, event data recorders, measures to separate students from bus traffic at schools Motorcoaches- NTSB cited fatigue, faulty maintenance in several crashesMotorcoaches- NTSB cited fatigue, faulty maintenance in several crashes

“Hot Topics” in Yellow World Transportation SecurityTransportation Security Distracted DrivingDistracted Driving Bullying preventionBullying prevention Drive-bysDrive-bys FUNDING challenges, service cutbacks, threats to ridershipFUNDING challenges, service cutbacks, threats to ridership Fuel costFuel cost Bus costBus cost Records checksRecords checks

SESPTC Scholarships SESPTC- Deadline was June 1; awarding two $1,000 scholarships again this year for college expenses of two graduating high school seniors; parent or legal guardian must be Florida public school transportation employee meeting income criteria (max $75K AGI)SESPTC- Deadline was June 1; awarding two $1,000 scholarships again this year for college expenses of two graduating high school seniors; parent or legal guardian must be Florida public school transportation employee meeting income criteria (max $75K AGI) For more info, contact more info, contact

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