Engines were running and lights were flashing Monday as Mansfield City Schools drivers completed one last check of their buses.
The priority was safety, safety and, of course, safety when Mansfield City Schools bus drivers met Monday for the start of school on Wednesday.
“We’re all about the safety of the kids,” said transportation supervisor Deb Rickert. “We’re all professionals. We follow the law.”
She urged the public to be ready to stop when a bus’s flashing yellow lights turn to red and mindful of children crossing the street at the driver’s direction.
District buses will travel more than 1,700 miles a day on 30 routes serving eight district buildings and, by law, local private, parochial, charter and special-needs schools.
Postcards listing stops and times were sent to the homes of all bus riders, but Rickert said pickup times may vary the first day or two. She asked for patience.
“Sometimes parents are at the bus stops with kids on the first day and they may talk to the driver. That can throw off the schedule, but things will settle into a pattern soon,” she said. “As the year goes on, we will appreciate a courtesy call to 419-525-6303 if a child is not riding on a particular day.”
Route schedules are set to assure children reach their respective schools on time.
“We don’t set the times; we accommodate the times,” Rickert said. “We provide customer service for the district.”
Aides on the buses work hand in hand with drivers, she said, while emphasizing that drivers are always in charge.
After the meeting drivers started the engines of their respective buses and checked all lights and signals. Any last-minute adjustments were handled at the bus garage.