Message from Elisa Hanley, Pupil Transportation Branch Manager
As we welcome summer and school is out, now is the time to get the buses refreshed, drivers trained and recertifications completed. So much is going on with training and conferences, please make sure to have a little bit of fun in between all you have to do!
Here at KDE, we are working on the items that went through the legislature, updating documents and manuals, and preparing for the fall, all while we are out training and attending the same conferences you are. If for some reason you try to reach our office and you don’t get an answer, please send an email. Many times, we can respond to emails much quicker than phone calls, especially if we are in a district or attending a training.
As someone who has worked in a hot environment, I want you to remember to hydrate in this heat. Heat stress and stroke are serious medical conditions that can change your life forever. Take care of yourselves and know the symptoms!
Team KDE will be attending conferences being held by the Kentucky Association of Pupil Transportation, the Student Transportation Association of Kentucky and KYTA. We are excited and ready to see you all!
Safety Reminder: Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down.
When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness (coma)
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
First Aid
Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:
- Call 911 for emergency medical care.
- Stay with the employee until emergency medical services arrive.
- Move the employee to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
- Cool the employee quickly, using the following methods:
- With a cold water or ice bath, if possible
- Wet the skin
- Place cold wet cloths on the skin
- Soak clothing with cool water
- Circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling.
- Place cold wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.
Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect:
- The elderly
- People with high blood pressure
- Those working in a hot environment
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Thirst
- Heavy sweating
- Elevated body temperature
- Decreased urine output
First Aid
Treat an employee who has heat exhaustion by doing the following:
- Take the employee to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.
- Call 911 if medical care is unavailable.
- Have someone stay with the employee until help arrives.
- Remove the employee from the hot area and give liquids to drink.
- Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
- Cool the employee with cold compresses or have the worker wash their head, face and neck with cold water.
- Encourage frequent sips of cool water.
To learn more, visit the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) website.
Message from Joe Shepherd
School Bus Driver Training Instructor Workshop Update
We're excited to report a successful School Bus Driver Training Instructor (DTI) Workshop held back in April, certifying 16 new driver trainers. A big thank you to Franklin and Fayette counties for their valuable assistance.
Calling All Helpers!
If you’re interested in assisting with DTI workshops this summer, please let me know. We appreciate any help you can provide.
Training Requirements Reminder
A critical reminder: Regardless of experience or origin, anyone who is not a certified Kentucky school bus driver must complete the full curriculum. This applies to drivers who:
- Have never driven a school bus in Kentucky.
- Haven't completed an 8-hour update training within the past 12 months.
ELDT Assistance Available
Facing challenges with the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) system? Don't hesitate to reach out! I understand many of you don't regularly access the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Training Provider Registry. I am here to help you register your candidates in the system.
Looking Forward to a Safe Summer!
With summer approaching, we wish everyone a safe and successful season. Stay tuned for further updates.
Training Opportunities
The Kentucky Department of Education offers a wide range of training classes designed to empower directors and assistant directors of transportation.
Directors and assistant directors are encouraged and invited to audit the driver training instructor workshop, initial inspector class, and 6-hour and 4-hour recertification classes this summer. Limited spaces are available for auditing the driver trainer courses. However, space at the recertification classes is unlimited.
For each training course, no make-up dates will be offered, so don't wait until the last minute to register. The last session listed is your final chance to attend in 2024. Mark your calendar, plan for any potential conflicts and stay on top of your certification requirements.
EILA credit is available for each of the training classes listed below:
The 2024 driver trainer 6-hour recertification schedule is available online. All driver trainers are required to complete this training to maintain their certification.
- Most classes run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. Conferences may have different schedules. Be sure to check the conference agenda.
- The final 6-hour recertification class held in 2024 will be on July 30 in Bowling Green. This class also serves as the last opportunity for a make-up class if you were unable to attend any prior classes.
The 2024 inspector 4-hour recertification schedule is available online. All certified school bus inspectors are required to complete this training to maintain their certification.
- Most classes run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time. Conferences may have different schedules. Be sure to check the conference agenda.
- The final 4-hour recertification training class for 2024 is scheduled for July 15 during the 2024 Kentucky Technician Association Conference in Elizabethtown. This class also serves as the last opportunity for a make-up class if you were unable to attend any prior classes.
Inspector Training Class - New Dates
Districts may nominate candidates with a minimum of 2 years' experience working on heavy trucks and/or school buses and a Class B CDL.
The initial 8-hours of classroom instruction are broken down into two days and are held online via Microsoft Teams on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. The hands-on test will be scheduled after completing the online class.
Participants must have a school district email address and functional audio and video capabilities.
To nominate a technician or to audit the class, please complete a request for school bus inspector training on SharePoint. For more information, email Carl Meehan or call (502) 564-5279, ext. 4442.
2024 Driver Training Instructor Workshops
The Kentucky Department of Education will be hosting four school bus driver training instructor workshops this year. Before registering, carefully review the requirements to ensure eligibility. Each trainee must register using their own school district email address.
Register early to secure your spot! There's a limit of four trainees per district, per year. You can view dates, locations, and registration information on the School Bus Driver Training Instructor Workshop webpage.
A list of hotels in Frankfort is available for your convenience on the School Bus Driver Training Instructor Classes SharePoint webpage.
Director of Transportation Training Class
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is offering a comprehensive training program designed to equip directors with the knowledge and resources needed to succeed. This five-day training program will be in Frankfort July 29-Aug. 2, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ET.
Topics include: laws, regulations, kindergarten and preschool transportation, special needs transportation, and funding.
Various KDE and outside agency experts have been invited to present participants with valuable information to ensure Kentucky has the the safest transportation possible.
Class size is limited to 40 participants (due to room capacity).
Prior registration is required. A computer will be needed for one of the days. Be sure to bring your binder from the last class (if you have one).
To register, please complete the New Transportation Director online registration form. Please email Elisa Hanley or call (502)-564-5279, ext. 4406, with any questions.
Flag/Waiver/Waiver/Restriction V Declaration
In March 2023, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) passed alternative standards for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders who were unable to pass the CDL medical examination.
These alternative standards allow CDL holders to obtain a commercial driver’s license by submitting additional documentation requested by the certified medical examiner and provided to the FMCSA. The documentation refers to hearing, vision, artificial limbs or body part skills assessment, seizure, or stroke.
However, it’s important to note that while these drivers qualify federally for a commercial driver’s license, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) regulation, specifically 702 KAR 5:080, is more restrictive. As a result, CDL holders who meet the FMCSA’s alternative standards may still be disqualified from driving a Kentucky school bus that transports students.
Remember, certified medical examiners play a role in qualifying CDL holders but are not responsible for certifying Kentucky school bus drivers. 702 KAR 5:080 states,
"if there is limitation of motion in joints, neck, back, arms, legs, or other body parts, due to injury or disease that may limit the driver's ability to safely perform the task of driving a school bus or performing other driver responsibilities, the person shall not be employed as a school bus driver."
When a school bus driver utilizes the FMCSA’s alternative standards, they are not obligated by either the FMCSA or KDE to provide the FMCSA documentation to their employer. However, this may be subject to a written school district policy. In such cases, the certified medical examiner should complete the Flag/Waiver Restriction Declaration and send it directly to the school district via email or fax, avoiding submission through the school bus driver. If a school district becomes aware of any unallowable condition, they must promptly remove the driver.
As an additional precaution, school districts should always review any school bus driver who has received a one-year medical examiner’s certificate to verify their qualifications. If a driver has received a one-year-or-less medical examiner’s certificate, the school district should provide the Flag/Waiver/Waiver/Restriction V Declaration to their contracted certified medical examiner. This process ensures that the one-year certificate is not due to alternative standards. Once received, the school district should upload the form to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet via email to KYTC.CDLwaivers@ky.gov and file it in a secure, privacy-protected location.
You can locate the Flag/Waiver/Waiver/Restriction V Declaration on the School Bus Driver Training Instructor SharePoint webpage on the right hand navigation menu.
For further assistance or questions, please feel free to email Monica Napier.
2025 School Bus Specification Changes
The School Bus Specification Committee met on Feb. 27 in Frankfort to make necessary changes to the school bus specifications for the 2024-2025 school year.
Inspectors and technicians, please review the 2025 Kentucky Minimum Specifications for School Buses once it is released. Technicians and directors must review the changes each year and understand what is different and what can be retrofitted.
Listed below are the top changes:
- Added a battery shut off switch to disconnect the batteries in the summer or during long-term non-usage.
- All lights will be LED, if available from the original equipment manufacturer.
- Addition of illuminated school bus destination signs and stop arm signs, heated cross view mirrors and the option for cross view mirror lighting.
- Updated seating options for better ergonomics.
Wolfe County Electric School Bus Update
Since our last update, we’ve made significant strides in our transportation fleet by adding three new electric vehicles (EVs). These cutting-edge EVs have been put to the test and I’m pleased to share our experiences with you.
The First EV
Wolfe County received the first electric school bus in Kentucky on Aug. 7. The delivery was part of an effort funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program. Our inaugural EV school bus #2230 has already covered approximately 6,000 miles. While it encountered a few minor issues during assembly (such as loose nuts on switches and improperly secured electrical wires), overall, it has performed admirably.
February Additions
In February, we welcomed three more EVs to our fleet. These vehicles have proven to be dependable, with one notable exception – the Intel park brake occasionally acts up. Interestingly, our colleagues at Boyd Cat have encountered similar challenges with their diesel buses, so we’re not attributing this issue solely to the EVs.
Field Trips and Range
Our EVs have been a great fit for field trips within the surrounding counties, typically covering round trips of less than 60 miles. Despite losing about 50 miles of range during winter due to heater usage, the instant warmth upon boarding has been a welcome feature. As temperatures rise, we’re gradually recovering that lost range – 30 miles and counting!
Cost Savings
Our electric bills have averaged $432 per month per EV bus. The most significant advantage? We no longer worry about diesel exhaust fluid, oil changes or belt replacements. Plus, the warranty coverage ensures that any issues are promptly addressed by Boyd Cat.
Looking Ahead
I’m optimistic about the future of EV adoption in other districts. While every school bus may encounter occasional hiccups, time and continued improvements will iron out the wrinkles. Our EVs are well on their way to becoming a reliable and eco-friendly addition to our fleet.
Thank you for your continued support as we embrace cleaner, more efficient transportation options!
John Halsey
Wolfe County Transportation Director
A Tribute to Former Daviess County Public School Bus Driver Evelyn Keown
Evelyn Keown/FB
Former Daviess County school bus driver, Evelyn Keown, was recently featured online in an article written by former student Chadwick Benefield and published by 1490 News Talk WOMI Radio in Owensboro.
To read the touching, heartwarming article on Keown, visit WOMI's website.
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