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SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS NEED TO KNOW • Being in the meeting gives the schools the opportunity for a
better understanding of the complexity of providing transportation
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 for the needs of so many.

504 Plan should be updated annually to ensure that the student is • ere may be information that is crucial to best meet the needs
receiving the most e ective accommodations for his or her speci c of the children we transport.
circumstances, Fish explained. • Many times a student needs transportation but not a special
It is important that someone should represent transportation in needs bus.
IEPs and should share the information with drivers. “We want to be Depending on their ability to access their education is the
part of the process – we want to be part of the solution,” Fish said. deciding factor to receive specialized transportation.
“We are always the last to know. ey make plans for the student Fish also commented on the training provided for bus drivers
and the driver wonders why he or she is transporting that child.” so they can recognize behavioral problems, the medical needs of
For example, a child may have been kidnapped in a foreign students, who the go-to person is in case of an incident, when to
country and exhibits emotional problems. “ e bus driver needs call 911, who takes care of the equipment, and taking a class in
to be in that conversation in the beginning,” she said. “How can we sign language.
provide service for that student? Some kids are mentally fragile, but Regarding whether drivers and their assistance teams work well
you wouldn’t know it by looking at them. We have to work with together, Fish said, “If it’s not working, you need to make a change.
schools – show them that we’re not just a bus driver. If an autistic Always focus on what is the best for the child. at’s the bottom
kid is screaming, the driver needs to know why.” line. In the end, you can only be as good as your sta is. So give
Reasons why school bus drivers should attend meetings about them all the tools to make them successful.”
special needs students, according to Fish, include:
• When you’re involved in the meetings you can have insight Virginia “Ginny” Fish can be reached at: virginia. sh@
that may not be in the paperwork. wesdschools.org or (602) 896-5273 or cell, (602) 478-8050.

AASBO 2018 Legislative/State Board of Education Agenda

1. Funding of School Finance Formula – Work with the Governor, Legislature, Superintendent of Public Instruction,
other education groups, and the business community to restore the existing budget cuts to District Additional
Assistance including a timeline for full restoration.

2. Special Program Funding – Work to obtain funding for special education students that reflect the actual cost of
providing mandated educational services by restoring the special education cost study and move to funding all Group A
disabled as Group B students.

3. Current Year Funding - Eliminate or modify the move to current year funding

4. Administrative Reduction – Work with other education organizations and districts to reduce administrative burden
on schools.

5. Transparency and Accountability-Implement comparative financial reports for public (district and charter) schools
including annual expenditure and revenue reports.
6. Renewal of Prop 301- Work with the Governor, Legislature, Superintendent of Public Instruction, other education
groups, and the business community to develop and implement a plan to renew and improve prop 301.

7. Prop 206 Impact – Continue work to obtain modification to the funding formula to reflect the impact of the increased
costs to school districts from the implementation of Prop 206.

8. Increase efforts to provide reports and information to state leaders and the public on the impact of the current school
funding formula on the ability to provide educational services to students.
9. Work with the Arizona Department of Education and school districts to provide accurate data including updates and
corrections to existing reports.

10. When appropriate, provide analysis of the impact of proposed financial legislation on school districts

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