Ulster County Executive Mike Hein Announces The Winners Of The School Bus Driver Of The Year And Charles Schaller Awards

Posted April 27, 2018

Bill Wolfrom and Pamela Wanning Receive Awards For Their Dedication to Service and Safety

Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein is pleased to announce that the Ulster County School Bus Driver of the Year Award winner is Bill Wolfrom of the Onteora Central School District, runner-up wasChristine Sorbello of the Highland Central School District. The School Bus Driver of the Year Award recognizes driver’s with exceptional service and safety records, and is issued in conjunction with the Ulster County Traffic Safety Board and “Operation Safe Stop.” “Operation Safe Stop” is a cooperative project in New York State that seeks to promote school bus safety through education and enforcement efforts. The Charles Schaller Award was presented toPamela Wanning Director of the Mid-Hudson Health and Safety Institute at SUNY-Ulster and a member of the Ulster County Traffic Safety Board. The Charles Schaller Award recognizes an individual who is dedicated and committed to traffic safety in the community.The award is named in honor of Charles Schaller who served as Ulster County Traffic Safety Coordinator for approximately ten years and whose long-term interest in traffic safety and keeping the roadways created an enduring legacy in the County.

Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive

“Congratulations to Bill Wolfrom and Pamela Wanning. I truly appreciate Mr. Wolfrom’s dedication, care, and commitment to keeping our children safe each day as they travel to and from school” said County Executive Mike Hein.“He represents the approximately 700 school bus drivers throughout Ulster County who have one of the most important job’s--- to care for our children when they are on their way to and from school and ensure that their bus ride is safe. In addition, I commend Ms. Wanning’s critical efforts in helping to keep our roadways safe. I want to thank our law enforcement community for their participation in “Operation Safe Stop” and their continued efforts to enforce stopped-school bus laws as they protect our children and educate the public about the hazards of passing stopped school buses. I am thankful for “Operation Safe Stop’s” mission to educate the public and raise awareness of the dangers of illegally passing school buses. Unfortunately, it is estimated that 50,000 vehicles illegally pass school busses each day in New York State.”

To honor those who are committed to delivering our children to and from school safely each day, a ceremony was held Thursday at the Ulster County Law Enforcement Center Rotunda.Ulster County Deputy Executive Robert Sudlow presented awards to the following winners:

  • Bill Wolfrom received the Ulster County School Bus Driver of the Year Award, receiving an Arthur Mulligan Award and gift certificate to Applebee’s courtesy of General Manager Dan Savoca. Mr. Wolfrom has 21 years of experience as a school bus driver and has driven the BOCES Alternative Education and Special Education Bus route for over 10 years. Mr. Wolfrom is known for his calm and caring demeanor and rapport with students. He has completed training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and was nominated by Nicole Sommer, Transportation Director for the Onteora Central School District.
  • Pamela Wanning received the Charles Schaller Award recognizing her service and dedication to Ulster County and traffic safety.
  • Christine Sorbello received a Certificate from the Mid-Hudson Transportation Supervisors Association for her outstanding bus driving performance and community service.Ms. Sorbello drives for the Highland Central School District and has 14 years of experience and was nominated by Douglas Carter, Transportation Director for the Highland Central School District.

Also, on Thursday law enforcement officers around the state participated in Operation Safe Stop Day.During "Safe Stop," police officers in marked and unmarked patrol units monitor selected bus routes that have a history of illegal passing complaints and issue tickets to drivers who pass stopped school buses. New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law states:

  • It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when the large red lights located on top of the bus are flashing.Flashing lights mean the bus is picking up or discharging students.
  • You must stop whether you are approaching the school bus from the front or overtaking it from the rear.
  • You must always stop for flashing red lights, even on divided and multilane highways and on school grounds.
  • The first-time fine for illegally passing a school bus is a $250 to $400 fine, 5 points on your license, and/or possibly 30 days in jail.

Penalties for passing a stopped school bus include:

$$ -- FINES -- $$

By Conviction

Minimum
Fine

Maximum
Fine

Possible Imprisonment

First

Conviction

$250.00

$400.00

Up to 30 days

Second

Conviction
(within 3 years)

$600.00

$750.00

Up to 180 days

Third or
Subsequent Convictions (within 3 years)

$750.00

$1,000.00

Up to 180 days

Operation Safe Stop is a cooperative project supported by the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, New York State Education Department, New York Association for Pupil Transportation, New York State School Bus Contractors Association, student transportation industry and state, county, city and local law enforcement agencies.

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Pictured above:Photo 1:From left: Deputy County Executive Robert Sudlow, Transportation and Safety Board Chair Eric Kight, and Bill Wolfrom, Ulster County Bus Driver of the Year Award winner,

Photo 2:From Left: Superintendent of Corrections James Hanstein of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department, Transportation and Safety Board Chair Eric Kight, Christine Sorbello, the runner- up for School Bus Driver of the Year Award (Center), Deputy County Executive Robert Sudlow, and New Paltz Police Lieutenant Robert Lucchesi.