Streetsboro City Schools recently completed its annual bus evacuation and safety drills for all grade levels, reinforcing the district’s commitment to student safety and compliance with state transportation laws.
Ohio law requires school districts to conduct at least one bus evacuation drill per year. Streetsboro makes it a priority to complete the training early in the school year.
“You never know when an emergency could happen,” said Transportation Director Amanda Hall. “We want to make sure students are prepared, whether they’re first-time riders or have been riding for years.”
Students in pre-K through grade 5 participated in drills on September 30, followed by grades 6-12 on October 1. The exercises were held in the morning before the school day began. Buses ran their normal routes, and drivers informed students ahead of time so they could dress appropriately for the weather and be ready to exit the bus efficiently.
Running the drills before school prevents afternoon delays and gives time for teachers and school staff to plan for the brief adjustment in arrival times.
The drills were conducted simultaneously across all buses at each building, with additional staff on-site to assist any student who needed help. Each driver led their own bus group, reviewing expectations and walking students through three evacuation methods: front-door exit, rear-door exit, and split evacuation, which removes students from both ends of the bus for the fastest clearance.
Students seated near emergency exits were given the opportunity to open the window, giving them hands-on experience with safety equipment.
“Students only do the drills once a year,” Hall said. “We try to make it count. We don’t want them to try to figure it out for the first time in the middle of a real emergency.”
Students who ride on buses and need additional accessibility supports did not exit their vehicles but instead participated in verbal walk-throughs to maintain student safety and comfort. Drivers and aides discussed individualized evacuation strategies and submitted written transportation plans to ensure substitute drivers are also prepared.
Of the district’s more than 2,000 students, the district is responsible for an average of 1,500 daily riders, which is why consistent safety practice is so important.
Beyond daily routes, Streetsboro drivers also conduct safety briefings for athletic teams before traveling to away games, as well as for students attending field trips, club events, or any non-routine trip. These talks ensure everyone is included, especially students who may not ride the bus regularly or were not part of the yearly evacuation drill.
Hall said the district’s goal is simple: preparedness through practice.
"We hope our students never have to evacuate a bus, but if they do, they’ll know what to do and who’s going to tell them where to go,” said Hall.