STATE BOARD MEETING
Salem, Oregon
December 17, 2009

Meeting called to order at 11:08 by President, Robin Biden.

Members Present:

Robin Biden, Michael Shields, Chris Ellison, Denice Blake, Matt Kutcher, Kathy Houck, Mary Conger, Patricia Carner, Patti Green, Carl Salstrom, Marty Hopper, Steven Huillet.

Members Absent:

Keith Wright, Lynnette O’Dell

Past Minutes:

Robin Biden read Minutes from the meeting on October 8th. Motion to approve, as read, by Patricia Carner, seconded by Denice Blake.

Financial Report:

By Kathy Houck 07/01/09-12/16/09

Income: membership dues, conference registration, Trade Show
Total Income: 5,816.36

Expenses: Board expenses, Conference expenses
(speakers), Safety Exercise expenses, Board travel
and meals.
Total Expenses: 4,685.12

Overall carryover 1,131.24

Denice Blake made a motion to accept the report as read, seconded by Pat Green.

Kathy Houck reported that the documents are ready for the auditors in January.

It was noted that the actual cash carryover correction is needed on the proposed budget.

Committee Reports:

2010 NAPT Conference-

There has been no recent news. The Oregon Tourism Board has been instrumental in organization of the details. It was noted that the conference in Louisville did not receive the same support from their Tourism Board.

The National Event Director will be looking for volunteers to assemble conference packets. President, Robin Biden wants to make it known, that he can count on OPTA for any support.

There is a “Call For Presentations” for the 2010 NAPT Conference. See website for application.

State OPTA Conference: Marty Hopper
Valley River Inn-Eugene
June 21^st- 24th

Committee Members: Marty Hopper, Doug Feddersen, Steven Huillet, Matt Kutcher, Denice Blake, Keith Wright, Terri Brady, Pat Green.

Organizing a meeting for middle of January. The committee is planning on a full conference from Monday through midday Thursday.

3 speakers are currently scheduled for the conference.

Discussion: Do we want a Keynote speaker, everyday? Is there a contingency plan, if the budget fails?

It was proposed to present Valley River Inn with granite OPTA Plaque, in appreciation for working with us, and re-negotiating our previous contract.

STATE SAFETY EXERCISE: Carl Salstrom, Chairperson
Location: Mc Nary High school, Salem
Date: June 5^th or June 12^th.
The facility has new asphalt, no islands or light poles. The committee met December 17^th, 2009.
Discussed the need for both chapters to work together in the future to coordinate safety exercise dates, with the State Safety Exercise Committee.

Patricia Carner has been appointed Head Judge for the State Safety Exercise.
Dave Phillips has been appointed head judge for the NW Regional Safety Exercise.
There are several people under consideration for the head judge of the S. Willamette Regional Safety Exercise.

It was discussed there is a need to go through the Safety Exercise Manual to review the rules and possibly implement a separate backing event that coincides with the new skills testing. Also to review the size and category of mini-buses. The question whether to use buses with air brakes or not, so winners can be competitive in the National competition.

Poster Contest:

Denice Blake is the State Poster Contest Chairperson. The S. Willamette chairperson is Tom Saddler, and the NW chapter chairperson is Charisse Wall. They are working together to get the flyers out to promote the Poster contest, across the state.

Chapter Reports:
South Willamette Chapter:

Winter Workshop: Sweet Home High School
1641 Long Street
Sweet Home, Oregon 97386
February 2oth, 2010

“BUS DRIVER BOOTCAMP”

Speaker-Kathryn Phillips of Total Behavior Management: Student Management

Breakout sessions: Pre-trip, Fire Extinguisher Training, and Agility Testing.

S.Willamette Regional Safety Exercise:
Grants Pass Transportation Center
May 1^st, 2010
Requesting Judging staff and equipment. Steven suggested contacting Medford School District for Conventionals.

Best Practices Program: New Program
Last meeting-1^st Tuesday of November
Topic: “Routing 101”- Invited discussion
Attendance: 15; 3 non-members
Next Meeting:
Topic: “Dispatching” - Substitute Assignments, Trip assignments.
Date: February 2^nd. 5:30-7:00
Location: Greater Albany School Dist. Transportation Center

Tom Saddler mailed letters to Safeway, Power Chevrolet, and US Bank requesting donations for the Summer Conference. Robin Biden suggested that the NW Chapter also write letters requesting donations.

Northwest Chapter:
Meeting 3^rd Tuesday of the month at Village Inn, Tualatin.

NW CHAPTER Winter Workshop:
Monarch Hotel~ Clackamas
Monday, March 15, 2010
Registration: $15.00
(Includes cont. breakfast and lunch)

NW WINTER WORKSHOP
“NETWORKING THE PUPIL TRANSPORTATION HIGHWAYS”
DMV Testing Changes
ODOT Traffic Safety & School Buses
Safe Walk Guidelines
Special Guest: “Networking Made Easy”

Next Meeting: January 19, 2010
Discussion Topic: Motivational programs, employee morale boosters. Portland Public Schools- “Attendance Bingo”.

ODE/Legislative Report:
Electronic filing with DMV coming very soon.
Will be required to notify DMV electronically, 48 hours in advance of testing.
After testing, report test results, in the same manner.
New 3^rd Party Testers certificates being mailed out.
It was suggested to have the “tested” sign prior to the test. They have to sign regardless of results, and may not be in a good frame of mind, if not a positive result.

3^rd test section-“Backing” which will consist of 3 separate backing procedures, will soon be implemented in the skills test.
Senate Bill 46: Allows Oregon Department of Education to require fingerprints of all new hires of school districts or private schools.

Reminder to promote “Love The Bus”. February 14,2010.
Supported by Susan Castillio, Superintendant of Public Instruction.
Press Release Template can be downloaded at:
www.yellowbuses.org/events/lovethebus.aspx

2-way Radios: FCC Banding. 
Transferring from “wide” band to “narrow” band, January 1, 2013. Wide band will no longer function, after that date.

ACS:
A company that installs and monitors “stop-arm violations cameras” on school buses. Looking for districts for “pilot” program. Location has to have the right policies established in their city or county. ACS installs, monitors and sends information to the local police agency. The program works similar to “red light” cameras. The company, the policing agency and the school district, get revenue from the tickets.

“Red light” violation day-
A request has been made to change the date or have an optional day. Some districts don’t have school on the scheduled date.

Fuel:
There are concerns with the 2% minimum requirement of bio-diesel in the diesel fuel supply. There is no quality control of the fuel and the problems of gelling in cold weather cause a lot of problems for the buses. Fuel needs to be treated with additives.
Some districts would like to see the bill changed to where there is an exemption in the winter months, due to safety concerns in school buses.

Old Business: None at this time

New Business:
Tom Saddler made a recommendation to nominate Marlan Rohlena and his wife Barbara of Western Bus Sales, as an honorary member of OPTA. He read two letters of support from L.D. Ellison and Jim Roderick.
Robin Biden suggested tabling this issue for board members to consider the precedence it may set, with them actually being venders, and not directly associated with the operation of Pupil Transportation.

Next Meeting:

February 11^th, 2010
11:00 am
Almost Home Restaurant
Salem