It’s National School Bus Safety Week and today West Irondequoit CSD Superintendent, Aaron Johnson, joined Monroe County Executive, Adam Bello, in announcing our district’s participation in a County program to enhance safety for students who ride the bus. The program takes advantage of stop-arm enforcement technology, using cameras to capture motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses with extended stop-arms and flashing red lights.

The partnership includes our bus vendor, First Student, and BusPatrol, the stop-arm technology provider. Representatives for all attended this morning’s announcement at our renovated Department of Environmental Services maintenance facility.

 “No parent, child, or school bus staff should ever feel anxious or worried when a child is boarding or leaving a school bus,” Bello said. “This partnership with BusPatrol and the West Irondequoit Central School District strengthens our countywide initiative to promote school bus safety, hold dangerous drivers accountable and prevent tragedies before they happen. I thank Superintendent Dr. Aaron Johnson and the Board of Education for prioritizing student safety, as we recognize School Bus Safety Week. I encourage every district in Monroe County to join us in making safety and accountability a daily commitment.”

Drivers in the U.S. illegally pass school buses more than 39 million times a year. So far this school year, the Monroe County School Bus Safety Program has issued more than 1,200 citations to vehicle owners in participating school districts. In total, more than 14,000 citations have been issued since the program’s inception in October 2023.

West Irondequoit joins Spencerport, Hilton, East Irondequoit, Webster, and Greece in the County program. All suburban districts in Monroe County are eligible to participate.

"Partnering with Monroe County and our transportation team to add stop-arm cameras to our buses is really about one priority: Keeping our kids safe,” Johnson said. “Too many drivers take risks around school buses, and these cameras will help hold them accountable as a deterrent. I’m grateful to our Board of Education for standing behind this effort and for always putting student safety first.”

Coincidentally, Bello and Johnson each have children who attend our schools. Bello is a 1998 graduate of Irondequoit High School. County Legislator David Long, who also spoke at the announcement, has children in our district. He is a former WICSD Board of Education member.

The program is expected to launch in the next few months. There will be a 30-day “warning period.” During this time, violators will receive warning letters without fines. After the warning period, drivers caught illegally passing a stopped school bus will face a $250 fine for a first offense, with escalating penalties for repeat violations within 18 months.

For the full County news release, click here.

For more information on the County stop-arm camera safety program, click here.