Local and NEA ESP Board of Directors member testifies at state school bus safety commission
12/04/2013

Donna Nielsen, LaPorte bus driver and ISTA/NEA Association leader, traveled to Indianapolis yesterday to testify at the Indiana State School Bus Committee meeting. Donna advocated for the placement of “No Trespassing” decals on the outside of all school buses in Indiana.

During the 2013 legislature, the issue of school safety was addressed in Senate Bill 1. The bill’s discussion brought to light the need for more detailed attention to protecting our students and school personnel. Donna, as a local leader and member of the NEA Board of Directors, has been a leader in training personnel on school safety issues and bullying prevention. 

Other state legislatures have begun to address the issue of school bus safety. Earlier this year, Alabama passed the “Charles "Chuck" Poland Jr., Act”, in honor of a school bus driver who lost his after being killed by a gunman who boarded his bus and demanded students. Before being shot, Poland negotiated with the gunman and blocked his path, enabling 21 children to escape through the emergency exit.