The Legislative session was only over for a couple of days when I received a call from the Governors office saying the governor accepted my invitation to come to Browns River Middle School to sign the School Bus Idling Bill. Patty Brushett’s seventh grade “OLE” class undertook a yearlong project to research the effects of school bus exhaust on the environment and health. They followed this study with additional learning and advocacy on how to get a state law enacted that would prohibit school bus idling while waiting for students on school property. The reason the governor came to BRMS for the signing of the bill they had worked so hard on.

The class named their project SOM: Sustainability is Our Mission. When I arrived at the school on Friday, May 25, Ms. Brushett’s class was busy practicing what they were going to tell the governor about their project. The class had elected five members, Mikaela Osler, Dakotah Patnode, Haden Bove, Jimmy-Lynn Mead, Adam Martin to be the reporters of the project. They have been very busy this year testifying to three legislative committees, the school board, talking to the press and now to the governor. The whole class gathered in the library where a circle of chairs for visitors and a table for the governor to sign the bill was set up. Many proud parents, teachers, Representative Carol Hosford of Waitsfield and two television cameras were waiting. Rep. Hosford introduced a similar bill in the last session, reported the bill to the House and chaired the conference committee. I introduced her to the class and she told them how proud she was of their hard work. The class sat in front of the table anxiously waiting for the governor. We all stood and applauded when Governor Douglass arrived with George Crombie, the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources. Principal Nancy Guyette introduced the Governor and other special guests, welcomed them to BRMS. Patty Brushett gave a summary of the project, the team gave there cheer “OLE”! The Governor praised the students for their work and listened intently as the five students gave their speeches on why this bill is so important. The Governor signed the bill with his pen that he gave to Ms. Brushett and five other pens that he presented to the five student reporters and then led an “OLE” cheer. The Governor read a portion of the bill, “the operator of a school bus shall not idle the engine while waiting for children to board or to exit the vehicle at a school and shall not start the engine until ready to leave the school premises “ and noted that the bill was written to take effect immediately. Bus drivers take note. Secretary Crombie presented Principal Guyette with the first driveway sign that will be sent to every school that says “Turn Off Your Engine For Our Health”.

The students did not stop with the signing of the bill. They attended the Chittenden East Executive Committee meeting to testify about the importance of a district policy to limit the idling of all motor vehicles on school property. A policy was adopted by the Board, so we all must get into the habit of shutting off our cars when we pull up in front of or visit our schools.

The students also created a wonderful photo story presentation of the SOM project. Visit the Browns River Middle School web site to view it: www.brownsriver.k12.vt.us.

The legislative session is over but I am still available to help you navigate state agencies or assist in helping find the appropriate contacts in state government. Contact me at Rep.BillFrank@verizon.net or 899-3136.