This week is National School Bus Safety Week - October 17-21, 2022. The theme is "1 Bus + 1 Driver = A Big Impact on Education." The New York School Bus Contractors Association "NYSBCA" wants to thank our school bus drivers who keep our children safe and contribute to our education system, and make a difference.

EPA wants to hear from you on how to build its Clean School Bus Grants Program. Please come prepared to share your feedback on the program.

Click Here to Register

For more information, please visit our website: epa.gov/cleanschoolbus

If you have any feedback, please email: cleanschoolbus@epa.gov

Listen to Nicholas Vallone on NSTA's "The Bus Stop" podcast about "Addressing the Driver Shortage through Advocacy."

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Check out NYSBCA's past president, Corey Muirhead's podcast on NSTA's "The Bus Stop" about navigating the driver shortage, media, electric school buses, and more.

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DOH COVID-19 *NEW REVISED* Isolation and Quarantine Guidance

Released May 31, 2022

This guidance supersedes previous isolation and quarantine guidance. An exception related to quarantine and isolation was added for children’s attendance at childcare and early childhood education settings and language related to boosters and being “up to date” has been updated.

Click Here for the Updated DOH Guidance

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2022
1:00 p.m. ET

Hosted by the Alliance for Electric School Buses and the Electric School Bus Initiative.

This April, the U.S. EPA is expected to officially launch its new Clean School Bus Program, which will provide billions of dollars to help school districts invest in electric school buses over the next five years. Join us to learn more about this unprecedented funding opportunity and how you can leverage it for your school district and community. Drawing on years of federal and local experience, panelists will offer unique and helpful insights into applying for, receiving and deploying clean school bus funding.

From our meetings with stakeholders, it's our understanding that contractors will be able to apply for the funding directly. Join the webinar to learn more. There is a section to share your questions in advance for the panelists when you register.

Click Here to Register

It is with deepest sorrow to inform you that Ellis Marksohn, 31, beloved son of Bart and Jan Marksohn passed away on March 15 after a sudden illness. Memorial services will be private and the family asks for time to grieve their loss privately. The best way we can support the Marksohn family is to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Those who wish to express their condolences are asked to consider a donation to the GoFundMe page in memory of Ellis Marksohn.

Ellis’ brother Jesse and his fiancé Heather established the fund to honor Ellis’ life by supporting charities and organizations that were dear to him. Even a small donation could help Heather Clifford reach their fundraising goal to honor Ellis Marksohn. And if you can't make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser link to help spread the word.

GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/9ce904c9

Bart and Jan Marksohn are longtime members and supporters of NYSBCA. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, Jesse, Heather, and their family during this difficult time.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) waived until March 1, 2022, the requirement under 49 CFR 391.45 that CDL holders, CLP holders, and non-CDL drivers have a medical examination and certification, provided they had proof of a valid medical certification and any required medical variance (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5T such as an exemption letter or a skill performance evaluation certificate) issued for a period of 90 days or longer and expired on or after September 1st, 2021. Drivers whose medical examiners certificate (MEC) expired on or after September 1st, 2021 had until February 28, 2022 to submit an updated medical certificate to the DMV. Please note, effective March 1, 2022, drivers in this category who do not have an MEC on file were placed in a “Not Certified” status and will be notified by mail that their license will be downgraded to a non-CDL class in 55 days.

Commercial drivers that receive a downgrade letter and have an updated, valid medical certificate must submit their certificate to the Medical Certification Unit by fax: (518) 486-4421 or (518) 486-3260 or by Email: dmv.sm.cdlmedcertunit@dmv.ny.gov as soon as possible to avoid having their CDL license downgraded. Once a CDL has been downgraded, drivers must visit their local DMV office to upgrade their license and pay the appropriate amendment fees. Drivers should also monitor their license status using MyDMV to ensure that their submitted medical certificate has been received and added to their driving record.

Click Here for the FMCSA waiver.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION LINK.

The Leonard Family annual scholarship is open to the children of employees of New York School Bus Contractors Association member companies.

A one-time $2,500 scholarship will be paid directly to the educational institution for the 2022/2023 school year.

Please be sure to share this application throughout your company. The scholarship winner will be announced prior to the end of the current school year.

All applications must be received at the address stated on the application no later than 4/1/22.

An independent committee has been formed to accept and review applications and will be solely responsible for the selection of the scholarship awardee. Please do not submit applications to NYSBCA or to Leonard Bus Sales.

DEADLINE: APRIL 1, 2022

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO:

Community Foundation for South Central New York
520 Columbia Drive, Suite 100,
Johnson City, NY 13790
Att.: Leonard Family Scholarship Fund Advisory Committee

The Leonard Family Scholarship was created in 2015 in commemoration of the company’s 50th year as a family-owned business and to promote student success after high school. Preference is given to students with financial need. In addition $10 from every new bus purchased from Leonard Bus Sales is put toward this scholarship fund.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION LINK.

Click here to view the letter from Assemblyman Michael Benedetto to Governor Hochul regarding unreimbursed quarantine pay.

The Chair of the Committee on Education for the NYS Assembly, Michael Benedetto, is sending a letter to Governor Hochul tomorrow regarding the excessive financial burden faced by our industry due to unreimbursed quarantine pay. Assemblyman Benedetto’s letter to the Governor requests that the state reimburse school districts for this crisis payment. The dollars went 100% into employees’ wages, not for service, but for the health and safety of the children. The state should support these expenses as New York State provides no reimbursement or subsidy to employers for the paid sick leave benefits required under the law.

We ask you (NYSBCA Member) to call and email your local senator/assembly member to explain the hardship quarantine sick leave pay has had on your business. Ask your local elected official to send a similar letter to the Governor’s office/Leadership to help advocate for quarantine reimbursement.

NYSBCA continues to monitor and pursue a vast array of policy initiatives to strengthen our industry.