OCTOBER 5, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 10:45 a.m. at Syracuse City Transportation Department with 20 members present. Followed by the pledge of allegiance. Today was the “Kick Off” meeting for Operation Safe Stop.

Secretary’s Report
A motion was made by Pat Bailey, seconded by Chuck Paquette, to accept the minutes from the June 30, 2005 meeting. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report
A motion was made by Carol Hawk, seconded by Dave Fuller, to accept the treasurers report from the June 30, 2005 meeting wit ha balance carried forward of $1471.36. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Correspondence Committee: No report at this time.

Legislative Committee: No report at this time.

SBDI/MI Committee: No report at this time.

Special Needs Committee: No report at this time.

Pupil Safety: No report at this time.
Chuck will be updating us with s report shortly on the “newly formed” seat belt committee.
They will be sending out surveys and Chuck will give us a report soon.

Poster Committee:
Deb Stevens has not received the awards or certificates yet from this year’s poster contest.
Sandy Creek, Chittenango and Liverpool should all be receiving these awards. NYAPT is aware of it - but she will call Lori again to see what is holding them up.

Operation Safe Stop:
Today was a wonderful “Kick Off” for Operation Safe Stop. The press Conference went well. There were remarks from The deputy Commissioner of the DMV, Donald Savage;
S.C.S.D.. Commissioner of Education, Laurie Menkin; S.C.S.D. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Robert DiFlorio; Onondaga County Executive, Nick Pirro; Syracuse City Police Chief, Gary Miguel; Senator, David Valesky; Assemblywoman, Joan Christensen and NYAPT Operation Safe Stop Coordinator, Paul Overbaugh. Mrs. Salomone’s Kindergarten class from Webster School put on a wonderful presentation for us! Refreshments were sponsored by Bus Parts Warehouse.

Scholarship Committee: No report at this time.

Professional Development Committee: No report at this time.

Head Mechanics Committee: No report at this time.
Diane Watkins will take over as the committee chairperson.
Nominations Committee: No report at this time.

Awards Committee: No report at this time.
Congratulations to all who received awards in June!

Rodeo Committee: No report at this time.

“S” Endorsement Committee: This Committee will now be dissolved.
It’s mission was accomplished!

Entertainment Committee: No Sheila - No report!

Old Business:
1. We still have some openings on the sign up sheet for the rodeo next may. Please sign up
to do your part. Bus Parts Warehouse will sponsor the Roadeo in May! Thanks!
May 21st is the date of the 2006 Roadeo.

New Business:
1. Mid- Day-Minutes - NYAPT is asking us to re-address doing the School Bus Safety Program Exhibit at the State Fair Over the years it got more and more difficult to get districts to run the exhibit and many days it did not get opened because no one was there. It is such a busy time of year for school transportation - it is hard for everybody get away. Pat Bailey approached the Board and told them we could resume the program only if we had a commitment from EVERY Chapter for ½ a day. A vote will be taking place in at the December board meeting in Albany to see if other chapters are willing. Our CNY chapter is more than willing to do our share. Being right here and the size of our Chapter, - we could easily commit to 2 days.
2. The Shock Absorber is looking for “fuel” stories. Is anyone implementing anything?
Any ideas please contact the Shock Absorber.
3. Ideas are needed for next year’s conference. Contact Bob Peters with suggestions.
4. October 16-22nd is School Bus Safety Week.
5. Some people have still not paid their conference fees from this year. Check with your business office to see if your bill has been paid or that they even sent an invoice so it could be paid. A notice will be sent out shortly that Charge cards will be charged if the bill is still unpaid.
6. Dave Deuel passed out a draft proposal for Professional Certification for Transportation Directors. Look it over and we will discuss thoughts and concerns at our next meeting so Dave can report back to the board at their next meeting.
7. A MVCC Sub-Committee of the Professional Development Committee is requesting that the Chapter Presidents ask their membership to poll their chapters regarding interest in the MVCC Transportation Management Certification Program. They are requesting the following information:
a. Number of transportation staff members in your operation?
b. Number of staff members that may be interested in participating in the MVCC program?
Please return responses to: Maureen Ryan - Director of Transportation
New Paltz CSD
196 Main Street
New Paltz, NY 12561
Mryan3@hvc.rr.com
8. Would we consider doing Operation Safe Stop earlier? September 14th was brought up. The
police have grant money (to do safety “things” in school zones, etc. and have extra officers
on staff)to use by mid September or they lose it. The middle of September is a very bad
time for most of us, but the police would like to do there part in September (such as following
buses, speed in school zones, etc.) We could then do our press conference in coordination
with bus safety week and report on the success of Operation Safe Stop. We will re-visit this.
9. Joanne Martin says thanks to all who participated, judged, sponsored or helped at he State
Roadeo this year . It was a huge success!
10. All dues for our Chapter need to be into Karen Doucette by December 1st. There is a dues
form to fill out on our CNY website.
11. A motion was made by Dave Fuller, seconded by Pat Bailey, to nominate Shawn Scovill
from Cicinatus, for membership in our chapter. Motion carried. Welcome Shawn!
12. A motion was made by Chuck Paquette, seconded by Karen Doucette, to nominate
Tim Durham from First Student, for membership in our chapter. Motion carried.
Welcome Tim!
13. Safety Camp this year is at Hobart again. Chuck Paquette is coordinating all the
instructional teams. If interested, please contact him. The dates will be June, 23,24,25.
14. Last June, the turnout for our last chapter meeting was very poor. Please be thinking about
a day in June that would be better to hold the meeting.

Round Table:
Diane Watkins: We had a nice opening.
Chuck Paquette: We had a smooth start. We have 15 new drivers and need 12 more!
Tim Durham: Nice to see everybody!
James Dark: The new C-2 buses are in! Yeah!
Al Sgroi: Things went smoothly in Chittenango.
Deb Stevens: We’re looking forward to lots of snow this year! The lake is still very warm!
Joyce McMaster: Things are good in Caz!
Cindy Denison: She heard predictions of 75 ft. of snow!
Rich Denison: It was not good fishing this year- the water was too warm!
Shawn Scovill: Things are good in Cincinatus!
Dave Fuller: It was an easy opening in Dryden. The rain raise havoc with cars.
Dave gave all the newly hired teachers and the Superintendent a
bus tour of the district. He had their attention for 1 ½ hours to
talk about school bus safety!
Carol Hawk: Things are good in Weedsport!. The new facility will save the district
money because now the buses are inside. When Carol did her PDS -
she invited some teachers and her Superintendent. They loved
her safety message and have invited her to the schools to “spread the word”
Terri Smith: The opening went well!
Lynn Matlock: Nice to see everybody!
Scott Griffi: It was a smooth open!
Kathryne Rivas: Things are great! She is feeling much better. Almost 100%!
She hopes the predictions for 75 ft. of snow are not true!!
Terri Kuss: Great Opening in Syracuse! No news Channels or reporters!
Pat Bailey: Thanks to a great “team” - we had a great opening! Dave and Matt
Did a great job at the board table in Albany! Time has passed quickly -
this is her last year as NYAPT President.
Karen Doucette: J-D had a great opening! They have 5 new C-2’s - They are wonderful!!
Thanks for all the answers on the “fuel survey.”
Dave Deuel: Judy says hello and she will try to make it to the next meeting!
F-M had a smooth opening. Just a few glitches to iron out.
The new Superintendent was very impressed with
The transportation department.
Peg Gilbert: ESM had a great opening! Nice to see everybody!
Matt Conti: T-NT had a nice start up. This year he has noticed a much more positive
atmosphere!

A big thank you to Pat Bailey and her Staff for hosting today’s Operation Safe Stop Press Conference and this meeting!

We also want to thank Bus Parts Warehouse for sponsoring today’s “festivities” and the great
food and drinks!

See everybody at the next meeting: Thursday , November 10th at Barbagallo’s sponsored by Leonard Bus Sales.

A motion was made by Chuck Paquette, seconded by Karen Doucette, to adjourn the meeting
at 11:30. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Peg Gilbert