Legal Focus

Many school bus contractors are faced with the Pennsylvania wiretap law dilemma. That is, school districts contractually or informally require video and audio taping on school buses for the purpose of enhancing student safety and addressing student discipline issues. But, audio taping is prohibited by Pennsylvania statutes and case law. The current statutes even impose criminal and civil penalties for violators. School officials point to specific examples of local law enforcement’s refusal to p...

In January of 1900, Theodore Roosevelt was governor of New York when he first used the phrase, “speak softly and carry a big stick” when writing about a particular victory in local politics. The phrase later became the trademark of his foreign policy when he served as 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. For Pennsylvania’s school bus contractors, their “big stick” is the good work done by the National Student Transportation Association (NSTA). In July, I had the opportuni...

Many states have recently consid-ered or have passed laws about advertising on school buses. While marketing companies hop-ing to sell advertising space are enthusiastic advocates and school boards hoping to offset costs are more cautious proponents, there are many who strongly oppose the concept. (Read more at Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood; www.commercialfreechildhood.org). But while the debate continues and some states enact legislation al-lowing school bus advertising, in-dependen...

The parents of a Pennsylvania child are seeking damages in a civil action, from the school district and the independent school bus contractor for injuries sustained during a school bus evacuation drill. A critical review of your evacuation drill policy and procedure would be wise.