Message from Elisa Hanley, Branch Manager
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with peace and joy.
The past 12 months have been a whirlwind, especially for our Eastern and Western Kentucky districts that were affected by the tornados and floods. I am humbled by the outpouring of assistance that came within hours of each of these events, from all over the state and even outside of Kentucky! The past 12 months have not been easy, but somehow, transportation always keeps on moving.
We have seen how a lack of drivers has really affected our districts. Routes have been cut, stops have been eliminated and cancellations have occurred. As we move into the new calendar year, more drivers have retired and changes will continue to be made. I have no doubt districts are doing the best they can.
Let’s continue to do our best, in the safest way possible. Keep an eye out for each other as drivers, technicians, monitors and even directors pick up additional roles and hours to keep those buses on the road and our students safe. Remember: Safety First, Schedule Second.
We look forward to working with everyone in the new year!
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
- Jimmy Dean
Driver Training Message from Joe Shepherd
Hello everyone,
We hope everyone had a safe and restful holiday season!
I want to share some helpful information. Directors and driver trainers, please make sure your drivers get any paperwork from specialists (i.e., sleep apnea cards and heart issues) well before their medical exam certificate expires. Some specialists are scheduled months in advance, so schedule your visit and have the documents ready before the physical is scheduled to avoid a lapse and suspension of the commercial drivers license.
The Trainer Provider Registry (TPR) and Entry Level Driver Training seem to be running well. I have heard of very few issues lately. Make sure your dates for classes and behind-the-wheel completion TPR entry does not fall more than two business days apart. You don’t want to be flagged by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Lastly, we have the 2023 Driver Trainer 6-Hour Updates and Driver Trainer Instructor Workshops tentatively scheduled. Please check the KDE Pupil Transportation website regularly for updates.
IMPORTANT: We will have one 6-hour update makeup date in Frankfort in July. The date will be announced in early Spring. That will be all that is offered in 2023. Make plans now to attend the June updates.
Quarterly Driver Trainer Meeting
The next quarterly driver trainer meeting will be on Jan. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. We will have a special guest joining from the Kentucky State Police regarding pre-trip.
Driver trainers whose email address is listed on the Driver Trainer SharePoint webpage will receive a calendar invite. Please accept the request and it will show up on your calendar.
If you have not received a calendar invite, first ensure that your school district email is listed on the SharePoint webpage, and then email Joe Shepherd to receive a link.
Buster The Bus Spreading Holiday Cheer
On Dec. 15, the Kentucky Department of Education held its annual Team KDE Holiday Meeting, which included a holiday photo contest and best of all – an ugly sweater contest.
KDE’s Pupil Transportation Branch decided to up the ante. We decided to dress up Buster The Bus! Yes, you read that right. We thought it would be a great tool to boost employee morale and give everyone a reason to smile. While sadly Buster didn't win the ugly sweater contest, he brought many laughs and lots of joy and cheer to everyone! See before and after photos below.
Before the Christmas makeover:
 Mikala Ferguson with KDE's Pupil Transportation Branch posing with Buster pre-makeover.
After Buster's festive Christmas makeover:
  Note: The aftermarket changes do not meet state specification requirements for school buses. We ask that you do not decorate actual school buses.
Director Winter Safety Reminder
Be prepared and have a plan for weather conditions and delays.
- Establish and communicate alternate routes/snow routes.
- Set earlier start times for drivers.
- Communicate clearly about the policies and procedures for late starts/cancellations and disabled vehicles.
- Use communication system or protocol to keep drivers, students, staff and parent/guardians aware of plans and timing, especially if routes are running late.
Bus Evacuation and School Safety Reminder
Four bus evacuations are required every school year. Two should have been completed already. The third evacuation is required to be completed the first full week of school after winter break. The remaining can be done any time during the semester.
Per 702 KAR 5:030 Section 14, "all students shall receive school bus safety training, in addition to the four bus evacuations." We ask that every student in the district watch the new KDE safety training videos during their annual school bus safety training session. There are videos for kindergarten-3rd grade, 4th-8th grade and 9th-12th grades. These videos can be watched in groups, as classes or individually.
The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety provided the funding for the creation of the videos. KDE must report back to them at the end of the year. Throughout the year, as each district finishes the training, it should be reported using the online School Bus Safety Video Reporting survey.
FMCSA Clearinghouse Reminder
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all employers to do an annual Clearinghouse check for all current employees.
Many districts do their annual check at the beginning/end of the calendar year and others the fiscal year. Please ensure your district has completed the annual check. Districts also should be running a check as part of any pre-employment driver investigation.
All employers of commercial drivers license drivers must purchase a query plan in the FMCSA Clearinghouse. This query plan enables employers to conduct queries of drivers. If you have any questions about the FMCSA Clearinghouse or the query plan, please contact Joe Shepherd via email or by calling (502) 564-5279, ext. 4411.
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates significant accidents for air, highway, pipeline, railroad and marine. They do extensive investigative research and issue safety recommendations to mitigate future accidents.
There are two investigations the have led to findings and recommendations for pupil transportation. The Decatur, Tenn., crash and the Pala Masa, Calif., rollover. You may share these and conduct discussions and training regarding the information.
 The Decatur (NTSB/HIR-22/06) investigation found that lane departure warning systems and lane-keeping assist systems can prevent many lane and road departure crashes, and may have averted this crash. Recommendations were made by the NTSB based on the facts found in this crash, including non-recoverable and critical sloping surface of the roadway and the drop-off edge of the paved shoulder. Several of the school bus passengers were not seated properly in their seats and lap/shoulder belts would have mitigated the forward inertial movement of the unbelted passengers on the school bus, keeping them within the protecting seating compartment and reducing their risk of injury. Onboard video recorder information can be used to identify risky student behaviors such as out-of-position seating to proactively correct these issues and maximize occupant protection for compartmentalized passengers.
The Decatur investigation also has reiterated the video camera positioning, which allows investigators to analyze video footage from the inward-and outward-facing cameras.
The Pala Masa rollover investigation report addresses driving at safer speeds on wet roadways, ensuring adequacy of the tire tread depth standard and maintaining safe tire tread depths on commercial vehicles.
There were deficiencies in tire replacement and rotation procedures and the bus operated with tires that had less than the required tread depths. Safety can be enhanced by requiring the recording of the tread depths of the tires on buses, because it would provide a reminder to maintenance staff about the wear status of the tires. This is currently required in Kentucky during each monthly inspection.
Drivers would benefit from a driver training program that includes consistent and authoritative guidance on driving at safe speeds on wet roadways and in other inclement weather conditions. This is a common training for eight-hour updates. Consider reiterating the reminders during inclement weather.
As you may be aware, KDE has pushed its training on tires and tire depth. This was well before the accident, but the recommendation reiterates the fact that the training we have provided is relevant and important. Please ensure your drivers and technicians are following proper guidelines for pre-trip inspections, monthly inspections and tire purchasing.
Employee Years of Serve Recognition
 Janice Sizemore, Bus Driver of 28 years at East Bernstadt Independent.
Thank you Janice for all of your years of service!
Driver Trainer Recognition
 By Brian Collier, Director of Transportation for Calloway County
Amanda Morgan has worked for us for 15 years. She started out driving a bus, but currently she is our driver trainer and administrative assistant, but that doesn't do justice for all that she does for us!
Amanda is currently driving as a long-term substitute bus driver, covers the phone and radio mid-day and when I have a sub available to reliever her for a route, helps me with finances, and all things between!
Bus Driver Recognition
 By Cristin Chadwell, Transportation Director for East Bernstadt Independent Schools
Curtis Storm goes above and beyond. He is both a full-time middle school teacher, archery and basketball coach, drives for all of the ball games and field trips and drives a daily route.
He has been a bus driver for 18 years at East Bernstadt Independent School. He only averages one absence a school year. He will do anything you ask.
The students on his bus love him. He is a top-notch employee and all-around great person.
Bus Monitor Recognition
 By Matthew Simpson, Director of Transportation for Jessamine County
Charlotte Roberts has been a bus monitor since 2001. She served in several capacities as a bus monitor, working with children with special needs, preschool students, and kindergarten students.
Charlotte knows her students by name. She is very conscientious and observant. When she has a substitute driver, Charlotte knows the route and every single stop. She does a tremendous job communicating with parents as she takes students hand-to-hand.
Charlotte is a tremendous asset for Jessamine County Schools and I am grateful to have her on our transportation team.
Technician/Inspector Recognition
 By Brian Collier, Director of Transportation for Calloway County
Roger Morrison accepted the lead technician position last fall after replacing Randall, who had been with us close to 20 years.
Roger has been with us since February 2019. He hasn't missed a step and has been instrumental in getting two new technicians, with one becoming certified last year and one working through the process now. He works on buses, parts, service and covering the phone and radio in mine and Amanda's absence. He always steps up when needed and is always willing to help.
Technician/Inspector Recognition
 By Matthew Simpson, Director of Transportation for Jessamine County
Bryan Turpin began working for us as a bus driver in 2016. He has been working as a mechanic for nearly three years.
Bryan is committed to every aspect of our department, and frequently subs as a driver when needed. He serves with a positive attitude and is always willing to lend an extra hand.
Bryan continuously looks for areas to engage in. He is constantly busy and looking for opportunities to give his time and talents. Any task that he's asked to complete is done so without complaint or delay. It is always done promptly and to the best of his ability.
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