CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Revised regulations for public school buses, written to bring the Mountain State into compliance with federal standards while reflecting technological developments, take effect later this year in West Virginia.
Overall, David Baber, one of five state school bus inspectors, said the rules emphasized student safety.
“We have a very good safety record and we’re proud of it and we hope to be able to keep it that way,” Baber told members of the state Board of Education earlier this week.
He spoke before the BOE vote on Wednesday to approve Policy 4336, School Bus Transportation Regulations, Procedures, and Specifications for the Design and Equipment of School Buses .
“The proposed changes will update and improve the school bus transportation and procedures for school bus transportation and the specifications for the design and equipment of school buses,” said Tommy Young, executive director of the state Department of Education’s Office of School Facilities and Transportation.
The revised policy does not mandate seat belts for students on school buses.
Drivers are required to wear seat belts.
There is no requirement for aide staffing on school buses.
“We put a lot of work into this, a lot of hours and time and we think it’s a very good policy and it’s productive to what we’re doing today for the safety of our students,” Baber said.
Baber and his fellow school bus inspectors are assigned an equal number of school buses for annual inspections.
In addition to bus inspectors, Dr. Steve Paine, state superintendent of schools, had praise for bus drivers.
“They do an exceptional job,” he said.
“For years and years and years, our safety record has been at the very top of the heap in terms of states throughout the country and we’re just very proud of the care they give (students).”
Last fall, more than 150 administrators, principals, teachers, county school staff, parents, grandparents and others submitted input on the proposed policy revisions during a formal comment period.
The revised bus regulations were set to take effect 30 days after they were formally filed.