RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 181
December 21, 2001

INFORMATIONAL

TO: Division Superintendents

FROM: Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Special Education Transportation Symposium

April 2829, 2002

The Department of Education is pleased to announce the fourth annual symposium on special education transportation, April 28-29, 2002, at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville.

The transportation of infants, toddlers, and students with special needs is a major component of public school transportation programs. Many students with special needs are transported on specially equipped school buses to and from schools in the Commonwealth. In addition, a number of children under the age of five are transported to programs offered by school divisions. This symposium will address the issues that school divisions face in transporting this special needs population.

More specific information about this symposium will be sent to the Director of Transportation in your school division. The Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation (VAPT) is sponsoring a ROAD-E-O for drivers of specially equipped school buses. On Sunday evening, a session will be held on harassment on school buses and important issues that have developed in transporting special needs children. Mondays program will include hands-on sessions on securing wheelchairs and child safety seats on buses, evacuation procedures, and planning for special needs transportation. The symposium will conclude at 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon.

A federal grant is available to help offset some of the costs of this symposium. School divisions will be required to cover the lodging costs and there will be a $10 registration fee for each participant.

Individuals that should consider attending the symposium include a special education administrator, a transportation administrator, a technician/mechanic, school bus driver trainer, and a school principal in charge of discipline.

If you have any questions concerning this symposium, please contact Ms. June Eanes, director of support services, at (804) 225-2037.

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