[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6262142,"mediaKeyId","3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63","parentId",3115907,"title","Van crash temporarily sidelines a vehicle; district to consider replacement purchase; driver resigns next week","audioSeconds",280,"startMs",3460000,"endMs",3740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63&start=3460&end=3740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63/thumbnail_3460000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6262142/Maine/Van-crash-temporarily-sidelines-a-vehicle-district-to-consider-replacement-purchase-driver-resigns-next-week","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262142-cee3ecff07d6f0f9d6620f6932fc7c2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773586954&Signature=Y9E96QiE4CL-Z~oWaBgFhjlS-KZbDX9Jaj1ynsI5l7tBC1FgOZ9j33ER8Jodzet16Tw9VHkpGjP6dKDV6N8a8FMwwQgLWnDnMulIaUbuSmiJoKQ3zNSbzhDIaH0~TZ-fVdQvpn-utlIyHrzkQiMTz-6U2YsfZBkz2JaTxWIY7Ig8cXjo24FbgzVHcnlQx855ATZOX0LjN2lFj8p0yVAFR9ShEsHd~3aK928pesqnWDrpggirLspLHQEWpOs7Btr9ItLlnniqrskd2d1r0GM6w-hjtn4sn6YenH6ISgiJEgtYp04t5t4P4SQEF~sO0-JmhP~Qyt20mDXqs~aR7E6ekA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","RSU 40/MSAD 40","date","2025-04-25T00:53:49.107Z","article","The district reported a van crash that occurred near Route 1 and Route 32 in the afternoon; six students were on board and there were no injuries. Brian and transportation staff said the van’s passenger-side sliding door was struck when a pickup truck turning right collided with the van. Staff and a building administrator on site checked students and notified parents; one student was upset and staff stayed with that child until the parent arrived.

Transportation staff said the van is an older vehicle (just over 50,000 miles) and, given its age and damage, the district expects the insurer may declare it a total loss. Staff notified the district insurance carrier and said the other party’s insurer typically contacts the district after initial notification. Because the loss reduces the active fleet during a period of driver shortage, staff indicated they will likely request approval to purchase a replacement van outside the regular procurement cycle.

The committee clarified drug-and-alcohol testing procedures that apply after crashes: staff said testing is required when there is a fatality, when a vehicle is not drivable, or when a driver receives a citation related to the crash. In this incident the driver was not cited, and staff said testing was not required.

Separately, transportation staff announced that Matt Simmons, a driver and trainer with about three-and-a-half years of service, submitted his resignation; his last day will be next Friday after he completes a scheduled field trip. Staff said Simmons also served as a trainer and that replacing him will be a significant operational loss. The district reported it has a trainer registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to continue training new drivers and will continue licensing work to increase available drivers.

No vote was needed on the incident itself; staff will follow up with insurance and the board if they request an out-of-cycle vehicle purchase.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Facilities Transportation Committee 04/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","A district van carrying six students was struck at an intersection; no injuries were reported and all students were checked at the scene. The district expects the vehicle may be totaled and plans to request an out-of-cycle van purchase. Separately, driver/trainer Matt Simmons submitted his resignation, effective next Friday.","taxTitle","RSU 40/MSAD 40, School Districts, Maine","taxId",68150,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262148,"Committee reviews student-bus-transportation policies; staff asked to clarify van coverage, training frequency and drug-testing triggers",0,3120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63&start=3120&end=3120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63/thumbnail_3120000.jpg","/articles/6262148/Maine/Committee-reviews-student-bus-transportation-policies-staff-asked-to-clarify-van-coverage-training-frequency-and-drug-testing-triggers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262148-65dc342b3fb8051352148f0190a380e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773586954&Signature=k~pBbUp4PHRQVjNEU6Sncm~C~IKuV4078uN7X9Myny1oYOr-GUvL0aAlcAmI0kp5l7lv8TmleQ9OtyKVZtjz-f73BhnMHWsGzBAVmNT1Hbc9h0IKxpQ31yMQqcdPyWLA32eRfTeCqxA-jbB-z~kmNC6kn7KlNBMx7liK312H-J02mnVScPUMcBRWAwqp1tpYVkIrwBONBpL3NWSnPWkm5V3nWc7P3QbHNGnLy75oCQEQZEOwMJxusrfJ0pSIWHssWfxlSO3ixvPN7bheqgzijPXbnHrjwxt9OR8RKo9kFwp42rSxPJcNIvxTk-UFr1a94749Z6VlecfsP2eKtK0JDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members reviewed the district’s student-bus-transportation policy (EEAA) and its procedure and discussed several operational clarifications staff should provide to the policy committee.

Members asked staff to confirm the policy’s scope, noting the text sometimes references “buses” but also should cover district-provided transportation such as vans. Staff agreed the policy should be clarified to state that it applies to district-provided transportation generally.

On training, the draft procedure lists a “minimum training requirement” of once each semester (noted parenthetically as twice per school year). Members observed the district uses trimesters in some grades and asked staff to propose consistent language (for example, “twice per school year” or a fall/spring schedule) so training frequency is clear across schools.

Board members also asked about the district’s drug- and alcohol-testing protocols after vehicle incidents. Staff explained that the district’s current policy requires testing in the event of a fatality, if a vehicle is not drivable, or if the driver receives a citation tied to the crash; because the van involved in the recent accident was not cited, staff said testing was not required in that case. Members asked staff to ensure the procedure cross-references the district’s drug/alcohol testing policy and to confirm how that policy applies to both CDL drivers and non-CDL van operators.

Committee members suggested adding language that activity/late buses are subject to limits not just on budget but also on driver availability, given shortages. Members did not take a formal vote on this item but requested staff bring clarified draft language to the policy committee.","Members discussed the district’s EEAA student-bus-transportation policy and related procedures, asking staff to clarify whether language covers vans and other district vehicles, to specify driver-training frequency given trimester schedules, and to confirm the drug- and alcohol-testing policies that apply after serious accidents or citations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262151,"Committee unanimously votes to send sample JICC‑R student-conduct-on-buses procedure to policy committee for review",641,2031000,2672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63&start=2031&end=2672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","/articles/6262151/Maine/Committee-unanimously-votes-to-send-sample-JICCR-student-conduct-on-buses-procedure-to-policy-committee-for-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262151-bdedf6fae348925acdcd0a1738a271df/orig.mp4?Expires=1773586954&Signature=cFh1L1cR54u6sn5cO1wmfyH08zzkNHd~9qPpcw2lRGyKyoI4IAG35GzRDpFrUkzm~GL3WYhmmwxdcSt6uYsPwLAk2euDKOt9MGJgMNVdaHYisFnx0sHhJcGMIhBUMUfSLitrG~vjdzwkCUevvN7sEfYD4g~8ycAjBUTj3dEoCKYQdttkI4Ct4f1TQFEk7GJ6lwfky4mnXqAx1FPhA2ySsK~xEHEHmalOeI5i1gdRZxkuffzN9HsXVbYppIX7qu986wzjpYXWvi7Wv4FZCpBfooI~MvJoxH0Dy6uelsoDGCAUsRv~LRRWJR89RUaXr6DtAtXRaTkYJwRgPOoounIrXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The RSU 40/MSAD 40 School Committee voted unanimously to send the sample JICC‑R procedure (student conduct on school buses) to the policy committee for review.

Board members said inconsistent corrective actions across schools had caused frustration for drivers and parents. Brian and several drivers described uneven application of discipline: one driver praised Miller School’s consistent response while other speakers said similar offenses often received different sanctions depending on the school. Members specifically flagged vaping as an issue that is not consistently addressed and asked that the policy language reference existing drug, alcohol and vaping policies where appropriate.

The committee clarified that JICC‑R should cover district-provided transportation beyond only “buses” (for example, vans) and asked staff to confirm the procedure’s application to all district vehicles. Members also asked staff to clarify who makes final disciplinary determinations—building principals, the transportation director or another administrator—and suggested the policy or procedure explicitly state decision authority and any delegation.

A motion to send the sample JICC‑R to the policy committee passed unanimously. Committee members asked to have transportation staff attend the policy review meeting so drivers and transportation staff could offer operational perspective on suspension, removal from transportation and appropriate procedural safeguards for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans.

No board member provided a recorded roll-call; the motion’s outcome was announced as unanimous and counts were not specified in the meeting transcript.","The committee voted unanimously to send the sample JICC‑R (student conduct on school buses) procedure to the policy committee for further review after members raised concerns about consistency across schools, vaping, and application to vans and other district vehicles.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6262154,"District hears presentation on BuzzRite tablet GPS and parent-notification system; board to consider limited pilot",1112,141000,1253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63&start=141&end=1253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3115907-b0fb0e3d95e27f4312b5e0fdb901ae63/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6262154/Maine/District-hears-presentation-on-BuzzRite-tablet-GPS-and-parent-notification-system-board-to-consider-limited-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6262154-3387cb8e3577f8df13387e40cb7d4a3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773586954&Signature=BdyE2HNsb4RyP8tEEPBHXPLkKsMBeY2t8L5JTht2j0h66E9fU-ED~pzMWKowtp5~8-TML1x6bfeWJ9lbK4qKQb3~WdDU5~D-jq6tJ8CWrw6j0hHU3Lk4HEppUuT~RJCbsv1~N~BbmvGQoDU7K6Mq7Z0qtl2LNss853SpexI6g56BDpG~9NoExiuFrObDqKI8gCVr~FsmCxCpaY3hVqUkuguyNAe7VXS-gnvo0hu05gnti43TRbd0xL2YKbpR4zAEhv5H9Ngb0CM7MI~YYnWR0Hc0zoHdJIN5r-Xr03yACCzeXfBJ0lIbRzkihoVo~hjAPzLqZaN2Jc~OUlLnb3mdUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marty, a regional sales manager for BuzzRite, demonstrated the company’s tablet-based routing, two-second GPS tracking and parent-notification features to the RSU 40/MSAD 40 School Committee during the transportation discussion. The presentation described live tracking of buses and vans, historical run storage and configurable parent alerts, and prompted questions about privacy, coverage in low-cellular areas and implementation scope.

The vendor said each vehicle would get a tablet that automatically loads the driver’s route when the bus is started, provides turn-by-turn visual and audible directions and sends location updates every two seconds. Marty said the system stores every run “indefinitely,” allowing staff to review stop times and vehicle speed to respond to parent complaints or investigate incidents.

Committee members asked how much information parents would see. Marty said parents would only see their child’s stop and an approximate ETA, and the district can limit map detail to roughly a quarter-mile so parents cannot track entire vehicles. Holly Doe asked whether BuzzRite signs a data-privacy agreement; Marty responded that the vendor would sign a DPA and offered to confirm whether an agreement has already been executed with nearby districts. Sarah Davis noted the district participates in the Student Data Privacy Consortium and that any vendor would be required to sign the consortium’s agreement or an addendum.

Board members discussed next steps: several favored a phased approach (a small pilot at one school or a limited number of vehicles) rather than outfitting the entire fleet immediately. Committee members asked about cellular coverage in rural areas and were told BuzzRite operates in remote Maine regions and reported successful coverage; Marty said the tablets continue to function in low-coverage areas the vendor serves. Cost estimates presented to the committee were about $1,100–$1,200 per tablet per year under a multi-year contract; that figure includes training and replacement tablets. Marty said districts typically sign a four-year agreement but indicated the vendor might accept a shorter term for an initial test.

Board members also discussed potential partial state funding for the purchase; participants said the amount varies by district and the vendor had identified that some state funding may be available but that exact shares were not yet confirmed. Several members asked staff to pursue more detail on cost, possible state contribution and the scope of a pilot before committing to a full rollout.

The committee did not take formal action at the meeting; members asked staff to return with a proposal for a limited pilot (for example, using one school’s regular runs and a small number of vans) and with information on exact pricing, state funding availability and executed data-privacy agreements.

The district will decide whether to pursue a pilot and whether to include parent notifications, the map limitation settings, and the number of vehicles to equip in an initial phase.","A vendor demonstrated BuzzRite’s tablet-based GPS, routing and parent-notification platform for school vehicles. Board members discussed pilot testing, data privacy, costs (about $1,100–$1,200 per tablet), potential state support and phased rollout options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Van crash temporarily sidelines a vehicle; district to consider replacement purchase; driver resigns next week

Committee reviews student-bus-transportation policies; staff asked to clarify van coverage, training frequency and drug-testing triggers

Committee unanimously votes to send sample JICC‑R student-conduct-on-buses procedure to policy committee for review

District hears presentation on BuzzRite tablet GPS and parent-notification system; board to consider limited pilot