This month's column is about school transportation. I understand the topic can be rather dry, especially if you don't have children riding a school bus. However, ask a parent or guardian of a child riding a school bus, and his or her response most likely will be distinctly different than the unaffected citizen. What is of interest to everyone is a safe and cost-effective transportation operation. Every Connecticut school district is required to provide transportation services to eligible students, but contracts governing transportation services vary by district.

In Branford, through a competitive bidding process, the Board of Education awards a contract to a transportation vendor. Last year the board awarded a five-year contract to First Student. While the details of the contract are numerous, this column focuses on the enhancements sought out by parents, administration, and the board.

This year, you will notice that buses appear newer. The reason for a fresher-looking fleet is the average age of the fleet was reduced from 10 years to eight years. In addition to newer buses, the entire Branford fleet is now equipped with the ability to digitally record activity on the bus. Branford Public Schools had this ability in previous years, but only on a limited basis. Digital recordings are appropriately used to maintain and monitor passenger activity.

In the event a bus needs to be rerouted, located, and/or stopped in transit, we now have a Global Positioning System (GPS). The GPS system gives First Student and the district the ability to locate any bus immediately should the need arise. Each bus possesses the ability to communicate directly with the dispatcher located on East Main Street. The combination of an accurate GPS and dependable communication ensures buses transporting students can be contacted and directed by the appropriate authority.

The many improvements to this year's transportation operation clearly are important and originated from careful board leadership, administrative planning, parent input, and First Student's willingness to collaborate to make Branford's operation safe and successful. One other unique enhancement to this year's transportation operation is that all bus drivers were trained in the administration of an epinephrine pen (EpiPen). This type of training alone does not guarantee a positive outcome in an emergency, but it does clearly increase the likelihood of a positive outcome should an allergy emergency occur.

This year's yellow bus is an improvement over last year's bus. I look forward to students being transported in a safe manner and exceeding academically, socially, and emotionally in school. Please feel free to make a suggestion for future topics at

bpshats@branfordschools.org.