To the editor:

Kansas school bus drivers are true professionals. Qualifications for Kansas school bus drivers are stringent. They must qualify for and obtain a commercial driver’s license. Laidlaw drivers have a minimum of 15 hours actual “behind-the-wheel” training, in addition to 24 hours of classroom instruction.

They submit to the same physical examination as “over-the-road” truck drivers and a pre-employment drug test, as well as random drug testing. In addition, driving records are scrutinized and criminal backgrounds checked. Complete “defensive driving” skills training and first aid/CPR training are required, along with monthly safety training meetings. School bus monitors require much of the same training. Annual re-evaluations are completed on all employees.

Following all of that, these drivers and monitors are permitted to transport our children to and from school safely each day. These personnel transport from one to 75 students in a school bus, depending on its size, with their back to them at all times. They must keep order AND get from “point A to point B” in the best and worst conditions that Kansas weather can deliver. They help with stuck coat zippers, wipe runny noses and bloody noses, clean up following sickness (you get the idea!). They do all of this for a part-time job with relatively low wages.

Oct. 18-22 is National School Bus Safety Week. Wednesday, Oct. 20, has been set aside as a day to celebrate and honor your transportation providers. Let them know you appreciate their hard work.

They are true professionals.

Wayne Zachary,

Laidlaw Transit