The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released best practices on safer routing and stop selection, including the recommendation that districts minimize the need for students to cross any road to or from their school bus.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require three-point seat belts at all passenger seating positions in newly manufactured motorcoaches and the lap/shoulder belt systems for drivers of all motorcoach and school buses weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

As more and more school districts nationwide consider the option of charging parents for school bus rides as a way to stay out of the red, a recent survey of states shows that there could be laws or regulations in place that prohibit such revenue-raising efforts.

D. Leeds Pickering formally announced he is stepping aside from his position as state director of student transportation for the Wyoming Department of Education after a 28-year career. His retirement is effective Aug. 13.