Governor Stein Proclaims School Bus Driver Appreciation Week

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK

2026

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, every school day in North Carolina, more than 10,000 school buses carry more than 600,000students to and from school; and

WHEREAS, without school buses and school bus drivers, many public school students would not have safe, reliable transportation to and from school; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that the use of school buses saves tens of millions of gallons of fuel statewide each year, compared with the amount of fuel required for individual family cars; and

WHEREAS, in the 2024-25 school year, school buses traveled nearly 150 million miles, navigating rural roads, neighborhood streets, and multilane highways to safely deliver students to their schools and homes; and

WHEREAS, weather and road conditions, student passengers, and other motorists can create special challenges to drivers as they carry out their duties; and

WHEREAS, the state of North Carolina salutes and appreciates school bus drivers and recognizes the invaluable contributions they make to public education and student safety; and

WHEREAS, the National Association for Pupil Transportation “Love the Bus” Month is celebrated in North Carolina during the month of February; and

WHEREAS, the state of North Carolina encourages citizens to “Love the Bus” and to recognize the excellence of our state’s school bus drivers and their good record of safety;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSH STEIN, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim February 9 – 13, 2026, as “SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.