FRISCO, Texas — Transportation professionals discussed how national school transportation specifications can help districts strengthen safety practices, improve staff training and address challenges involving students with disabilities and alternative transportation during a panel discussion at the TSD Conference in Frisco, Texas.

The session, “How Are You Using the National School Transportation Specifications?” moderated by Editor in Chief Ryan Gray of School Transportation News included panelists Joshua Hinerman of the Tennessee Department of Education, Teena Mitchell of Greenville County Schools in South Carolina, Kenny Mulder of Special School District in Missouri, and Megan Elsberry of Cleveland Independent School District in Texas.

The discussion examined revisions approved during the 17th National Congress on School Transportation (NCST) in May 2025 and how districts are applying the 18th National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures (NSTSP) held in May 2029.

Hinerman said Tennessee’s Department of Education and Safety, where he serves as state director of student transportation, agreed to adopt the updated specifications in their entirety as statewide best practice guidance rather than law. He explained that the document provides transportation supervisors with recommendations when state regulations offer limited direction.

That guidance has become increasingly relevant as districts turn to alternative transportation to serve students experiencing homelessness, those in foster care and students requiring specialized transportation arrangements.

Hinerman emphasized that districts remain responsible for student safety even when transportation services are contracted to outside providers. He identified driver qualifications, contractor oversight and student loading and unloading procedures as areas where additional guidance could help districts establish clearer expectations.

Mulder, the director of transportation for Special School District of St. Louis, offered an example of how those expectations are being applied. He said his district uses approximately 60 alternative transportation routes through four companies and includes requirements for driver licensing, motor vehicle record checks and criminal background checks in its requests for proposals.

Beyond alternative transportation, panelists addressed how the specifications can help districts make decisions involving specialized equipment and student safety.

Mitchell, the immediate past-president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation and special needs coordinator for Greenville County Public Schools, discussed extensive revisions to the section covering infants, toddlers and preschool children, including procedures for attendants during student pickup and drop-off, loading children in infant-only car seats and responding to medical emergencies.

She explained that the specifications can provide direction when districts encounter situations that are not clearly addressed by existing policies.

As an example, Mitchell described the challenges of purchasing buses with flexible seating arrangements to accommodate students using wheelchairs. She noted that transportation departments must carefully consider wheelchair placement to avoid obstructing emergency exits.

Wheelchair safety was also a focus for Elsberry, Cleveland ISD’s operations manager, who discussed updates to securement recommendations and questioned whether transportation teams receive sufficient training to properly secure students and their mobility equipment.

She emphasized the importance of providing drivers and attendants with clear guidance so they can consistently follow recommended securement procedures.

The conversation then turned to the responsibilities of school bus attendants, particularly when transporting students with disabilities.

Elsberry explained that attendants should receive training on the equipment used on buses and actively participate in supporting students rather than simply accompanying them during transportation. She also stressed the importance of considering each student’s individualized education program when determining transportation support.

Mitchell similarly raised concerns about inadequate attendant training and encouraged transportation personnel to use recommended practices to demonstrate the need for additional resources and support from district administrators.

The panel also examined differences between transportation requirements for Head Start programs and other preschool students. Elsberry emphasized the importance of training personnel to recognize when young children need appropriate safety restraint systems, regardless of differences in program requirements.

Looking ahead to the 18th NCST in 2029, Mitchell encouraged transportation professionals to participate in future revisions by working with writing committees, contacting state delegates, or identifying concerns that require additional guidance.

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