The Case is Made (Once Again) for Keeping Teens from Driving Their Peers

Another sad story unfolded prior to the Labor Day weekend when a 17-year-old boy fell out of a vehicle driven by an 18-year-old friend and was run over by a school bus. It happened in Willis, Texas, near Houston Friday afternoon as the victim’s brother and a busload of students watched in horror.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said the school bus driver had no time to react when Alex Caballero fell out of a car driven by Jose Juan Sanchez and into the path of the bus. According to the DPS, Caballero had just missed his bus and was receiving a ride home from Sanchez when the incident occurred. Apparently, Sanchez had been in an altercation earlier in the day with another student, as he and Caballero left the Willis High School parking lot, the fight resumed. What happened next turned tragic.

Someone in the other vehicle threw a car mirror at Caballero's vehicle, striking Caballero. He returned the mirror toward the other vehicle, at which point he apparently either fell out of Sanchez's car or was trying to get out to escalate the fight. He fell to the pavement and was run over by the school bus.

Hail, Hail the Band’s All ... Wait, Where Did it Go?

A quick look at how the economy is affecting school activity trips ...

As has been documented for sometime during the current economic recession, schools have been forced to make deep cuts to their transportation operations to ensure money continues to flow into classrooms. In additional to reductions in regular routes and school bus driver positions, a popular victim has been school activity trips and namely school bands. Take what has happened to the award-winning Richland High School band in Texas’ Birdville Independent School District.

Budget cuts have forced the band to decline an invitation to attend the prestigious Bands of America Grand National contest in Indianapolis this November. Bus transportation to such events held outside the greater Fort Worth area can cost the school district $2,000 a day not to mention competition entry fees, motel rooms and food. Last year, the American Association of School Administrators surveyed members and found that nearly half reported cut backs to student field trips. With many months, at least, remaining before the economy turns and state budget deficits affecting upwards of 48 states, things are getting tighter and tighter for schools

What to do about gossip school bus drivers...

Occasionally, Google brings across some really weird stuff. Today, we found a post on a blog all about gossip in which a parent asks, what s/he should do about a school bus driver that gossips with other drivers and the kids every time s/he brings up a problem*

Do other drivers gossip about parents like this? What about each other? What's going on in your operation?

Also online today:

• Texas Seeks to Ban Cell Phones in School Zones
• Student Accused of Hitting Driver in the Head
• Man Gets Prison in BBs Shot at School Bus
  

*Please note: In a rare exception, we have not included a link to the original story as the comments and postings on this site were offensive, unhelpful and potentially Not Safe For Work.

On Sale: School Buses for $682 Each

Houston ISD is selling nearby Galveston ISD buses at bargain basement prices, Houston Press reports. Prices from the auctioned buses were so low, the blog wouldn't believe 'em until the school system the spreadsheet.