Maine School Transportation Safety Commission

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Maine School Transportation Safety Commission 

Following the tragic deaths of two Maine students in transportation-related incidents, Governor Janet Mills signed an Executive Order in January 2026, establishing the Maine School Transportation Safety Commission. This Commission will review current statutes and practices related to school transportation protocols, safety standards, and trainings to identify necessary changes or improvements to school transportation in Maine. This work is ultimately intended to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and school bus drivers across the state.  

Thousands of Maine students rely on school transportation each day to attend school and school-related activities. The Maine Department of Education, Maine Department of Public Safety, and Maine Department of the Secretary of State share a joint responsibility for supporting and enforcing safe transportation policies in Maine. As such, members of this Commission are representative of these various agencies and others, including the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation, Maine Department of Transportation, and Maine School Management Association.  

Members of the Commission include: 

  • Lieutenant Bruce Scott, Maine Department of Public Safety (co-chair) 
  • Megan Welter, Associate Commissioner of Public Education, Maine Department of Education (co-chair) 
  • Rob Susi, Director, Maine School Safety Center 
  • Mitzii Smith, President, Maine Association for Pupil Transportation 
  • Chris Pasciuto, Vice President, Maine Association for Pupil Transportation 
  • Robert Skehan, Director of the Office of Safety and Mobility, Maine Department of Transportation  
  • Wayne St. Pierre, Director of Transportation, RSU 39 
  • Stephen Marquis, Executive Committee member, Maine School Superintendents Association 
  • Cheryl Brackett, Transportation Coordinator, Maine School Safety Center 
  • Christopher Ireland, Director of Driver License Services, Maine Department of the Secretary of State 

Findings of the Commission may range from new best practices for school bus safety that would be shared with all school administrative units (SAUs), to the determination of the most effective technology features that could be installed or replaced on existing school buses in Maine, to the identification of training needs for school bus drivers statewide—and means to support that training.  

The Commission is slated to issue a public report to Governor Mills and the Maine State Legislature on or before April 30, 2026. 

Related Materials 

Relevant Rules and Statutes: