Celebrating Bus Safety Week: A Shared Responsibility for Our Schools and Community
October 2025
As we recognize National School Bus Safety Week, Five Town CSD and SAD #28 want to take a moment to appreciate the daily commitment of our transportation team and to remind our students, families, and community members that safety is everyone's responsibility — on and off the bus.
Our Number One Priority: Safety
“Safety is always our drivers’ number one concern,” says Maggie Massengale, Assistant Director of Transportation and Facilities for Five Town CSD and SAD 28. “They have so much to focus on — from changing weather conditions to traffic patterns to student behavior — it’s a lot and, and all the more reason why it is so important for students to be well-mannered and polite on the bus.”
Our bus drivers are highly trained professionals who participate in safety training programs twice a year, ensuring they are up to date on best practices and emergency procedures. Each bus in our fleet is equipped with modern safety technology, including:
New radios for reliable communication
Camera and tracking systems for enhanced oversight and accountability
Snow tires every winter, ensuring safe transportation even in challenging Maine weather
And even one electric school bus, as part of our district’s move toward sustainable solutions
This school year, 256 or 80% of students from Camden-Rockport Elementary School use District transportation; 477 or 45% of combined students from Camden-Rockport Middle School and Camden Hills Regional High School use District transportation.
A Tight Schedule, a Big Responsibility
The transportation schedule across our three schools — Camden-Rockport Elementary School, Camden-Rockport Middle School, and Camden Hills Regional High School — runs on a tight 45-minute window from start to finish. This makes timeliness critical for everyone involved.
“Bus drivers don’t have time to wait for students in the mornings,” Massengale explains. “We need students to be at their bus stops on time and ready to go. A late student doesn’t just delay their own ride — it has a ripple effect across the entire schedule.”
A Message to New Drivers: Know the Law, Save a Life
Each year, our drivers continue to report a troubling trend — young drivers and other motorists illegally passing stopped school buses. This is not just against the law — it’s a matter of life and death.
"Especially with new student drivers on the road, we’re asking families to talk to their teens about the importance of stopping for school buses," says Massengale. "Nothing is more important than a child’s life."
Drivers must stop when a school bus extends its stop-arm and flashes its red lights, whether they are behind the bus or approaching it from the opposite direction on an undivided road. Failing to do so is not only illegal — it's dangerous.
Working Together for a Safe Ride
As a district, we’re proud of our dedicated team of bus drivers and the investments we’ve made in our fleet to keep our students safe. But we also recognize that true safety takes a village — including students who behave responsibly, parents who ensure their children are on time, and community members who respect the rules of the road.
Let’s make every week Bus Safety Week by staying alert, staying courteous, and staying safe.
Thank you to our transportation staff for your daily commitment to safety and service. We appreciate you this week and every week.