Back-to-school season is officially underway, and area school bus drivers are hitting the ground running with a morning of collaboration, hands-on training, and professional development.
Wednesday, Bellefontaine hosted the annual “County Plus” in-service training event, bringing together transportation staff from across the region.
Drivers from Ridgemont, Indian Lake, Urbana, Bellefontaine, West Liberty-Salem, and several from Benjamin Logan, Kenton, and even one from Sidney took part in the event.
The in-service served as the state-mandated annual training session, consisting of four hours of instruction and activities.
Organizers say they strive each year to keep the content fresh and engaging to help sharpen drivers’ skills and reinforce safety standards.
Participants reviewed key safety protocols, including proper procedures for railroad crossings, using real-life accident examples to emphasize how tragedies could have been prevented.
Bellefontaine School Resource Officer Doug Walters led a session on accident and threat response procedures, underscoring the need for drivers to remain alert and prepared at all times.
Another important topic included the post-trip inspection process — a critical step that ensures no students are left behind on the bus and that the vehicle remains secure after each route.
Outside the school, drivers participated in a series of interactive stations.
Bellefontaine Fire & EMS led a session on first aid procedures, giving drivers practical guidance on how to respond in emergencies.
Other stations covered proper mirror adjustments according to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, safe following distances, and correct pickup and drop-off procedures — including the crucial designation of a “place of safety” for students.
A highlight of the outdoor training was a fleet of four buses, each “rigged” with five hidden defects.
Drivers had to identify these issues during a simulated pre-trip inspection, reinforcing the importance of daily checks to ensure each bus is safe to carry students.
The event wrapped up with an obstacle course challenge, where drivers maneuvered through a serpentine path, executed tight left turns, and navigated diminishing clearance areas designed to mimic narrow city streets or construction zones.
With the first day of school approaching quickly, the in-service offered a valuable opportunity for drivers to refresh their skills, learn new safety procedures, and reconnect with fellow transportation professionals.
“These drivers are transporting our most precious cargo,” Robert Ball, Transportation Supervisor from Ridgemont said. “It’s critical that they are confident, capable, and ready for anything.”
