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BRIEF: Smyth County school bus drivers get extra communications tool [Smyth County News & Messenger, Marion, Va.]
[September 15, 2012]

BRIEF: Smyth County school bus drivers get extra communications tool [Smyth County News & Messenger, Marion, Va.]


(Smyth County News & Messenger (Marion, VA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 15--Another safety measure for students riding school buses is in place thanks to local law enforcement agencies that donated two-way radios to the school system.



Dr. Jeff Cassell, assistant superintendent for administration, advised the school board Monday that radios have been put in all buses that travel in areas where cell phone service is limited. He particularly noted buses that transport students in Sugar Grove, Ceres, areas south of Chilhowie and Konnarock.

He said the radios have already been helpful. They were used in an incident Monday afternoon in which a car bumped a bus in a minor incident. "They have certainly improved communication," said Cassell.


Superintendent Dr. Michael Robinson explained that radio bases are in each school and the central office in case bus drivers need to contact someone.

School board member Jerry Catron asked if someone would be at the schools or central office when the earliest buses are on the road or the latest. Robinson said it's not covered at 100 percent, but he added that the radios use the county's public works frequency, which also reaches all of the county's convenience stations.

Cassell also noted that a staff member is at the school bus garage, which also has a radio, by 7 a.m.

___ (c)2012 the Smyth County News & Messenger (Marion, Va.) Visit the Smyth County News & Messenger (Marion, Va.) at www.swvatoday.com/front_page/scn Distributed by MCT Information Services

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