As the district works to decide what learning for students will look like for the next semester due to COVID-19, bus transportation protocols have been established in the Path to Reopening for K-12 Schools: Health and Safety Plan V. 2.0 which is a document on the school district website, www.salisburysd.org.

The lead individual on the transportation aspect of the plan was Director of Transportation Mark Donnelli.

Should district buildings open for students next quarter, the following protocols are in place.

•Symptom screening will be done by all parents/guardians before the school day. No children with symptoms will be sent on a bus or brought to school.

•Bus drivers and students will be required to wear face coverings.

•Established protocols are in place for bus stops and loading/unloading students to minimize congregation of children from different households. The bus will be loaded from back to front.

•There will be two students per seat, when possible. Siblings will sit together.

•Drivers will be screened at the terminal before dispatch.

•Hand sanitizer will be located at the terminal and on the bus for the driver (not for students).

•Students are encouraged to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer at home before boarding the bus.

•Only water bottles are permitted on the bus.

•No field trips will be provided during the yellow phase. Limited field trips in the green phase.

•Touch points will be cleaned between bus runs.

•Buses will be disinfected at the end of each day using hand fogger.

•Posters encouraging staying at home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands often will be placed on the bus in sight of all passengers.

•Buses will be aired out when not in use.

•Students will be encouraged to sanitize hands when they exit the bus.

Paragon Transit Inc. is the contractor for transportation services for the Salisbury Township School District. Owner Russ Leibensperger said he also had some input into the plan which he said was “very well thought out.”

Leibensperger said currently half the fleet is out with a smaller dose of students.

“I have been in this business for 40 years and have always taken the safety of our students very seriously,” Leibensperger said.

“We will be doing the recommendations and we will do our job. We are ready to go.”