Portage Schools Superintendent George McKay, speaking for the county's school superintendents, said it doesn't seem reasonable to send an ambulance when a bus hits a mailbox unless there are obvious or potential injuries. He offered to provide the commission with revised language more acceptable to the superintendents.
Buses are a good place to be in an accident because of their sound construction.
Concern was expressed whether or not the decision to request an ambulance should be left to the bus driver. McKay said most schools rely on an administrator or safety director to make that call unless obvious injuries are involved necessitating immediate medical assistance. Bill Hanson, commission chairman and Duneland School Corp.'s director of security, noted that the commission's recommendations are non-binding on member districts and how to handle such emergencies is left to each corporation. Duneland is in the midst of reviewing its own policies regarding school bus accidents. The most recent occurred Wednesday when a bus with children aboard was rear-ended by another vehicle on Meridian Road.