By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The beginning of August is always a busy time for school bus managers.

It’s when schools turn their focus to make sure their bus fleets are ready for the new school year.

Jeff Vose, the head of Illinois’ regional superintendents of schools, said some schools own their buses while others outsource their buses to private companies. He said it’s the state’s job to make sure the buses are safe.

“Both [school districts and bus companies] are required to keep their buses maintained and ready to be on the road,” Vose explained. “It’s the Illinois Department of Transportation that is required to drop in and do inspections of the buses.”

Vose said regional superintendents are responsible for overseeing bus drivers.

Hundreds of drivers will be hired over the next few weeks. Each has to pass a state required background check, drug test, and eight hours of training. Vose says the background check is what keeps most people from becoming drivers.

“If somebody has an enumerated offense which would not allow them to be around children,” Vose said. “Be it sometime of criminal activity or something in regard to domestic violence. Those type of things would prohibit them from becoming a driver.”

Vose said this is also the time of year when schools remind drivers to start to be on the lookout for kids and buses.

Vose said drivers should never speed past a school and always stop for a stopped school bus.