Warren City Schools in Ohio kicked off the new academic year with a spirited community celebration at Courthouse Square. While the atmosphere was upbeat, school officials took the opportunity to address a pressing challenge facing the district; a shortage of school bus drivers, reported WKBN 27.
“Our goal is to have a lot of positive energy and to kick school off in a very positive light,” said Superintendent Steve Chiaro via the article, who praised the strong turnout and community support.
But behind the celebration lies a logistical concern. John Lacy, executive director of business operations for Warren City Schools, stated the district is “barely covering routes” and urgently needs more drivers to avoid double routes and delays.
To attract applicants, the district showcased a school bus during the event and shared details about the position. Bus drivers in Warren earn approximately $24 an hour, receive full benefits, and work year-round, not just during the school year. The district also fully covers the cost of CDL training for new drivers.
“We’re doing everything we can to recruit,” said Lacy via the article. “People are often surprised at how good the pay and benefits are.”
The district said it remains hopeful that community outreach and incentives will help ease the shortage. In the meantime, Superintendent Chiaro reportedly emphasized the importance of community involvement in supporting student success.
“Because we can’t do it alone,” Chiaro said. “We need every aspect of assistance in helping our kids along the way.”
TransAct Communications has officially rebranded to Pathwise, unveiling a new name, visual identity and website that the company said signals a renewed focus on simplifying K–12 school operations.
While the brand’s visual identity has changed, the company remains under the same leadership and ownership, as does its core mission to reduce the administrative burden on school staff so educators can stay focused on student success through transportation logistics, governance, compliance, and out-of-school time programs. Pathwise will continue to serve school districts, charter organizations and state departments of education across the country with no disruption to its services or leadership.
“This rebrand reflects who we’ve become a trusted partner with deep education roots and a clear focus on helping schools run more smoothly so educators can focus on students,” said Nate Brogan, CEO of Pathwise, via a press release.
The rebrand comes on the heels of significant growth. Since partnering with Polaris Growth Fund in 2020, the company said it has quadrupled its revenue and made major investments in leadership, product innovation and customer experience. Dan Lombard, managing partner at Polaris, noted in a statement that the rebranding was a natural step toward aligning the company’s public identity with its expanded impact and long-term goals.
The name Pathwise was chosen to convey more than just progress. The company said t represents guidance, purpose and partnership and positions the company not just as a vendor but as a trusted advisor to help schools manage the unseen but essential operations that keep learning on track.
Pathwise launched a redesigned website that it said refined its messaging to better communicate the value it brings to K–12 education.
The company serves over 3,000 school districts and charter organizations, as well as more than 25 state departments of education.
The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) announced the recipients of its Annual Awards Program, given to individuals in student transportation who had outstanding achievements in the industry.
The Distinguished Service Award will be awarded to Stephanie Walker, director of transportation for Habersham County Schools in Georgia. Walker has been serving as director at the district since 2021 and is also vice president of the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation. She currently has her certified director of pupil transportation (CDPT) and certified in special needs transportation (CSNT) delineations from NAPT. Walker was recognized by School Transportation News as an industry “Rising Superstar” in 2019.
Denny Coughlin is also a Distinguished Service Award honoree this year. Coughlin was the fleet manager at Minneapolis Public Schools for over 30 years and currently owns the School Bus Training Company. He is a familiar face at the STN EXPO and TSD conferences, presenting educational sessions or leading hands-on training.
The Continuing Education Award sponsored by Thomas Built Buses goes to Michelle Summers, assistant director of transportation at Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Texas as of July 2025. She previously held the same position at Friendswood Independent School District also in Texas. Summers has experience working as a special needs supervisor as well as a routing supervisor prior to her assistant director role.
Sherri Zulick was chosen to receive the IC Bus School Bus Driver Training & Safety Award. She has been with Maine School Administrative District 06 since 2017 and was nominated for an STN Rising Superstar award in 2019 by Transportation Coordinator Sarah Marean. Marean said in her nomination that Zulick has been a strong addition to the team and worked to bring the district’s driver training program up to entry level driver training (ELDT) standards and has been successful in her efforts to assist new transportation employees in obtaining their CDL.
Special Needs Route Supervisor Katherine Michael is the winner of the Special Needs Transportation Award sponsored by Q’Straint/Sure-Lok. Michael is currently at Fayette County Schools in Georgia.
Finally, the Heroism Award sponsored by Blue Bird is being given to Spartanburg District 6 bus driver Crystal Foster and bus monitor Joclyn Johnson. Foster and Johnson made news headlines earlier this year when they saved three children from a house fire while driving their route and were praised for bravery and quick thinking.
The awards will be presented at the NAPT ACTS Annual Awards Presentation on Saturday, Nov. 1 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Tony and Ryan discuss regulatory updates, the importance of vendor partnerships, a sensationalized incident involving a Texas school bus, and this year’s Garage Stars.
Charles Chilton, vice president and general manager of IC Bus, discusses his engineering and school bus driver background, navigating the uncertain clean bus market, and supporting IC Bus customers.
Alongside dozens of educational sessions and four inspiring keynotes, attendees have several opportunities to practice their skills and learn from expert instructors on how to safely transport students with disabilities and preschoolers as well as effectively manage the equipment used on routes.
Kicking off the conference on Friday, Nov. 7 is the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) Child Passenger Safety on School Buses National Training, an all-day class on the proper use of child safety restraint systems on school buses, with a concentration on preschool-aged children and children with disabilities.
Also on Friday, the three-hour Mastering Wheelchair & Occupant Training Certification Class feature instructors from AMF-Bruns of America. This class will teach the proper safety techniques on using occupant securements, understanding the WC-18 and WC-19 standards, wheelchair anchorage and how to correctly secure and deboard students, all with real equipment they can practice on.
On Sunday, Nov. 11, the Hands-on School Bus Evacuation for Students with Special Needs & Preschoolers will take place at Prosper Independent School District. Attendees will first review best safety practices and emergency evacuation protocol in an instructional classroom setting. They will then go outside to practice rescue skills on a school bus filled with theatre smoke. Class participants will have a time limit to rescue the “students” represented by training dolls.
There will also be a roadeo competition sponsored.by Q’Straint/Sure-Lok on Sat. Nov. 8 at Prosper ISD and an interactive sign American Sign Language training with instructors from the Texas School of the Deaf to close the conference on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Stay tuned for more updates at tsdconference.com.
The TSD Conference will be held Nov. 6-11 at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel and Convention Center. Register by Oct. 3 to save $100 on main conference registration with the Early Bird Discount.
A 13-year-old boy is recovering in the hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run crash moments after stepping off a school bus in the south Las Vegas Valley, reported Fox 5.
The incident happened Aug. 20 just before 4:30 p.m. Las Vegas Metro Police said the article that the teen had just exited a school bus and was crossing the street when he was hit by a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Yarla Valeriano-Perez.
Police added Valeriano-Perez initially fled the scene, abandoning her vehicle nearby. She later returned and cooperated with investigators. Impairment was not believed to be a factor in the crash.
Authorities reportedly confirmed that the school bus had its lights flashing at the time, signaling that children were being dropped off. Witnesses reported seeing the teen thrown approximately eight feet into the air upon impact.
Valeriano-Perez was reportedly taken into custody and now faces multiple charges, including felony hit-and-run and reckless driving, along with a misdemeanor count for illegally passing a school bus displaying active signals.
According to the news report, she appeared in court last Thursday, where prosecutors emphasized the severity of the incident, noting that she failed to stop despite visible school bus warnings. Her defense attorneys asked the court for leniency as she has no prior criminal record.
The judge reportedly set bail at $300,000 with a condition that she be prohibited from driving. Valeriano-Perez was scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday.
The teen’s current condition has not been publicly disclosed, but police described his injuries as “substantial.” The investigation is ongoing.
Just days into the new school year, Fulton County Schools in Georgia has already dismissed or accepted the resignation of multiple bus drivers found in violation of the school district’s strict student safety protocols, reported WSBTV News.
Since the academic year began on Aug. 4, three drivers reportedly were removed from duty or stepped down after failing to follow district policy regarding the drop-off of young students. These incidents involved children in pre-K through first grade being let off the school bus without a parent or approved guardian present, a violation a long-standing safety rule.
An internal email obtained by local news reporters revealed that a total of seven drivers had been lost within seven days, according to the district’s transportation coordinator. The email underscores the urgency with which the district is addressing these violations.
Fulton County Schools maintains what it calls a “zero-tolerance approach” to the safety of its youngest school bus riders. District rules reportedly specify that students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade must be met at the bus stop by a parent or guardian or be accompanied by an older sibling in second grade or above. For students in special education programs, individualized transportation plans dictate their drop-off procedures.
“There is no excuse for failing to follow this standard,” said the district via the article. “Drivers are trained on this requirement when they are hired, it is reinforced by management throughout the year, and it was a key part of all back-to-school transportation trainings last month. We provide the training, support and student management strategies to make it happen.”
The district added via the news report that the vast majority of its nearly 800 bus drivers follow these expectations every day, and that it remains committed to hiring and retaining only those who demonstrate a strong commitment to student safety.
“This isn’t just a part-time job or simply transporting children,” said parent Lola Green to local news reporters. “It’s a serious responsibility. Families are trusting these drivers with what matters most to them.”
Green, who reportedly withdrew her son from the school system this year, described a troubling incident last year involving her son, who has autism. Despite his individualized education plan requiring a guardian to be present at the drop-off, she said the bus driver released him without anyone there to receive him. Doorbell camera footage showed the child arriving alone at their home.
“Anything could have happened to him,” Green said. Following her complaint, the district removed that driver from her son’s route.
The email from the transportation coordinator to local news reporters also noted that the recent driver dismissals occurred across both the northern and southern parts of the district, not concentrated in one area.
While Green said she’s encouraged by the district’s swift response, she believes it’s just one step in a larger process. “Do the work to make sure they’re hiring people who are going to meet the needs of the children and the families they serve,” she said.
RICHMOND, Va. – According to a recent nationwide survey conducted by the nonprofit Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), 87 percent of parents and K-12 educators say it’s important that their children get to and from school in low-emissions school buses. The survey asked respondents about their awareness and attitudes toward school bus emissions and alternative fuels like propane, and the results illustrate the overwhelming demand for cleaner school buses.
However, that desire doesn’t match reality as most students still ride to school on diesel buses despite nationwide programs to fund cleaner transportation options. A June 2025 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that, while billions in federal funding have been committed to electric and other alternative-fuel buses, many of those buses remain delayed in deployment — often due to charging infrastructure and delivery challenges keeping older, higher-polluting diesel buses on the road longer.
Diesel exhaust is a known carcinogen that causes lung cancer and increases the risk of bladder cancer. With propane school buses, that risk is eliminated. In fact, propane school buses reduce harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 96 percent compared with diesel and emit near-zero particulate matter (PM) emissions. Both NOx and PM emissions are known triggers for issues like asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Every child deserves a safe, clean, healthy ride to school,” said Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC. “The way children ride to school today is like how I rode to school – in an aging, dirty diesel bus. Parents will remember that cloud of black smoke from the exhaust pipe, the smell of the diesel, the headaches, and the noise. With propane, all of that is gone, so children arrive safely and ready to learn.”
While 76 percent of parents agreed that the biggest benefit of low emissions buses is cleaner air for children, the survey results indicated that parents didn’t want to use funding from other academic areas to pay for cleaner transportation. Propane school buses address this issue as an affordable option that costs marginally more than a diesel bus but can reduce operating costs by half. Compared with electric school buses, propane buses cost one-third the price, allowing districts to replace their aging diesel fleet three times faster.
“I am often asked, ‘what about electric buses?’”, Stutheit said. “While electric buses may not have tailpipe emissions, we need to remember that 65 percent of the grid is still powered by coal and other fossil fuels emissions are generated when those buses charge. There is no such thing as a zero-emissions vehicle. And when you compare the full lifecycle emissions, propane buses hold their own as a clean energy and at an affordable cost to replace diesel buses and reduce emissions more quickly.”
Currently, 1.1 million children across the country ride to school every day in 22,000 propane autogas school buses. Those buses operate in more than 1,000 school districts in 48 states.
Once presented with the facts that propane school buses reduce emissions while saving school districts money, 90 percent of parents surveyed said they would be at least somewhat likely to support their use. Parents and educators who are interested in learning more on how to talk to their school district about adopting clean propane school buses can visit BetterOurBuses.com.
About PERC: The Propane Education & Research Council is a nonprofit that provides leading propane safety and training programs and invests in research and development of new propane-powered technologies. PERC is operated and funded by the propane industry. For more information, visit Propane.com.
Lisle, Ill. – Durham School Services and its sister brands are proud to recognize its newest group of ASE Master Technicians and Blue Seal locations. Both of these esteemed and highly respectable recognitions are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to respectively distinguish an individual’s and location’s extraordinary level of maintenance expertise and service excellency. ASE-certified technicians are regarded as experts in their field and at the forefront of industry standards.
New ASE Master Technicians (Sister brands are specified in parentheses)
Arvidson, A – Robbinsdale, MN
Clement, R – Indian River, NY
Davenport, M – Milford, OH (Petermann Bus)
Dusharm, B – Indian River, NY – Double ASE Master
Fradkin, B – Algonquin, IL – Triple ASE Master
Gillen, R – West Jefferson, PA
Lal, G – San Mateo, CA
Rodriguez, A – San Bernardino, CA – Triple ASE Master
Snyder, D – Kings, OH (Petermann Bus)
Solomon, S – Crowley, TX
Warner, M – Indian River, NY – Double ASE Master
In addition to individual recognitions, business locations can also be certified for their team’s overall industry experience, expertise, and service excellence through ASE’s Blue Seal of Excellence; one of the highest accolades within the automotive service industry that can be bestowed upon a business. To achieve Blue Seal status, at least 75% of a location’s technicians must be ASE certified, and there must be ASE-certified technicians for each area of service performed.
New Blue Seal Locations (Sister brands are specified in parentheses)
Collierville, TN
Coppell, TX
Pleasant Valley, IA
Robbinsdale, MN
San Carlos, CA
West Jefferson, PA (Matthews Bus Company)
Maintenance Manager Gayanandra with team San Carlos, CA’s Blue Seal Plaque.
Blue Seal Renewals (Sister brands are specified in parentheses)
Ann Arbor, MI
Everett, WA
House Springs, MO
Pickerington, OH (Petermann Bus)
Rochester Hills, MI
Tallmadge, OH (Petermann Bus)
Ann Arbor, MI team with their ASE Blue Seal Plaque.Rochester Hills, MI team with their ASE Blue Seal Plaque.
“Congratulations to our newest group of ASE Master Technicians and Blue Seal locations for being recognized as the best of the best in the industry,” said Wayne Skinner, Senior Vice President of Fleet & Procurement, Durham School Services. “These highly regarded ASE certifications are a powerful representation of the time, effort, and commitment each individual and location has put into perfecting and elevating their skills and service excellence. I simply cannot praise these individuals and teams enough for these coveted recognitions and living up to the Company’s commitment to safety.”
Lastly, Skinner shared, “I am beyond proud of each and every one of you for your achievements. Congrats again for joining your fellow peers on the Company’s ever-growing list of top experts and thank you for always putting in your best efforts to keep our vehicles in top shape year-round for the safe transport of our students.”
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals. ASE Certified Technicians perform in every part of the automotive service industry.
Durham and its sister brands proudly support our technicians’ ASE certification through our internal ASE Advantage Program. This distinguished program provides free training, bonus incentives, and more for technicians who seek to be ASE certified in various maintenance categories of the transportation industry, including transit, student transportation, automotive, and inventory management. Since the establishment of its ASE Advantage Program in 2019, Durham has significantly increased its number of Certified Technicians, Master Technicians, total company ASE certifications, and Blue Seal locations.
About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, such as Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, for more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.
Alexandra Robinson, a well-known figure across the global student transportation industry, will be recognized for her contributions with an induction into the National Pupil Transportation Association (NAPT) Hall of Fame this fall.
Robinson has spent over 30 years in student transportation, which includes serving as the executive director of the Office of Pupil Transportation at the New York City Department of Education, and before that director of transportation at San Diego Unified Schools in California and a transportation coordinator for exceptional student education at the Florida Department of Education. She was also NAPT president from 2011-2014.
Currently, she is president of A. Robinson Consulting that provides services to school districts and vendors as well as expert witness work on legal cases. She also co-found and manages the industry organization Women in Transportation (wit.). She is known by the School Transportation News community as part of the STN Editorial Advisory Board and the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) tenured faculty. Robinson is also a frequent speaker at the STN EXPO and TSD conferences, sharing her leadership and operational expertise with conference attendees.
“Alex’s induction celebrates not only her extraordinary achievements but also her unwavering commitment to advancing the student transportation profession and the people who make it possible,” NAPT said in a statement Monday.
The release noted that Hall of Fame induction requires nominated individuals to “meet the highest standards of personal and professional integrity, including distinguished service to both the industry and the Association.” NAPT said Robinson was chosen from the nominations based on her personal contributions, eminence, influence, and permanence.
Robinson will be officially inducted at NAPT ACTS on Saturday, Nov. 1 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Reno, Nevada is a dichotomy in July, where the sunbaked desert meets the lush Truckee Meadows, and fir and pine trees lead the way to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Temperatures easily reach triple digits, but strong afternoon winds rolling down the mountainside make evenings pleasant. It is also the scene of the annual STN EXPO West, which last month celebrated its 32nd year, and it has hosted many events and training activities over that span. This year, it brought a new element to the conference.
The National School Bus Inspection Training Program included a high-voltage electric school bus overview that identified key safety components when working on these vehicles. Thanks to Washoe County School District Transportation Director Scott Lee and his staff, Derek Bryant of Automotive Service Excellence utilized an electric Type D Blue Bird to show and discuss with 30 participants the intricacies of electric school bus maintenance and safety inspections. Bryant was joined by Jannet Malig of the Long Beach, California chapter of Clean Cities and the head of California’s Community College program that trains school districts on electric school bus maintenance.
The high-voltage training started the Saturday portion of the hands-on training at Washoe’s South transportation facility after a day of classroom exercises and a written exam. Providing an overview of ASE’s new accreditation for high-voltage safety, Bryant took participants through an electrical journey across the entire school bus, which was elevated on a mobile lift. The overview was about an hour and a half long, and thankfully the Reno heat cooperated as the aforementioned breeze came early.
High-voltage safety training is a must for school bus maintenance technicians nationwide, not only in nearby California, where electric school bus adoption is accelerated. This fact was hammered home several days after the EXPO concluded, when the new owner of Lion Bus formally notified U.S. customers their warranties are now void. This means some 2,000 electric school buses officially have no support. Any owner of a Lion electric bus will tell you that that service has been lacking for some time.
Earlier this year, STN reported some options available to U.S. school districts. More recently, the World Resources Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative and CALSTART announced they are working to provide more resources to Lion customers.
The situation highlights a legitimate concern about new entrants into the electric school bus segment, whether that be the vehicle itself, chargers and infrastructure, or service. Already, several companies have fallen by the wayside. With the exit of Lion from the U.S. market, student transportation leaders must ensure the provider they select will be there tomorrow. Certainly, Blue Bird, IC Bus and Thomas Built Buses are in for the long haul. BYD spinoff Ride has a legacy that goes back to 2013, about the same as Lion, but BYD holds the distinction of being the largest electric vehicles manufacturer in the world.
Meanwhile, the feeding frenzy on $5 billion from the EPA Clean School Bus Program appears to have subsided, though EPA finally broke its silence last month with an update on the rebate process as well as promising more information on future funding. There will likely be changes, such as more money for propane school buses. Still, with over 5,200 electric school buses on the road—and another 14,000 in the pipeline, according to the World Resource Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative—maintenance professionals must receive training and assistance. That includes warranty work.
Electric school buses aren’t going anywhere. All the OEMs have spent considerable time and money in developing their low- and zero-emissions products. No amount of uncertainty from Washington, D.C., changes that. I believe electric school buses, will ultimately be successful in specific areas and on routes where the vehicles make the most sense—and other fuels will be necessary for years to come to make up the difference. And technicians in these school districts will need to provide maintenance.
With electric school buses, there are no oil changes, no fuel filter replacements and in many cases no transmission work. But as highlighted by ASE’s high-voltage accreditation, and the work being done elsewhere, it is critical school districts and bus companies have well trained professionals on staff able to take an educated approach to maintaining them. There is nothing contradictory about that.
Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the August 2025 issue of School Transportation News.
A local school bus driver has been arrested on multiple felony charges involving child sexual exploitation and child endangerment, following an investigation led by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, reported 2 Idaho News.
According to the Idaho Attorney General’s Office via the article, Brian Hendricks was taken into custody on Aug. 7 and now faces seven counts of possession of child sexual exploitation material. The Boise Police Department charged both Hendricks and his partner Rochelle Hendricks with four counts each of felony injury to a child, as well as misdemeanor charges for dog nuisance and general animal nuisance.
According to the news report, Attorney General Raul Labrador praised the collaborative law enforcement effort, stating, “Protecting the people of Idaho is my office’s top priority. I thank the Boise Police Department for their partnership and teamwork in serving this search warrant and helping to remove the children that were in the home,” he continued. “We will continue to diligently work with our law enforcement partners across the state to protect Idaho families as children return to school this fall.”
The arrest reportedly followed a search warrant executed at Hendricks’ residence, where officers discovered several children living in what authorities described as unsafe and uninhabitable conditions. Police reported that the children were in imminent danger and were promptly removed from the home. Multiple animals were also seized due to concerns over neglect and nuisance conditions.
Boise Police Department units, including the Neighborhood Contact Unit, School Resource Officers and patrol officers reportedly assisted the ICAC team in the arrest and investigation. Boise Police Lieutenant Tim Brady emphasized the importance of a unified response.
“The Boise Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to our law enforcement partners and the dedicated professionals who worked on this significant investigation,” he said via the article. “This collective effort was instrumental in ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved in this case. We remain steadfast in our dedication to working together to protect and serve the most vulnerable members of our community.”
It is unclear if Hendricks was immediately fired for his position as a bus driver. At this stage of the investigation, authorities say there is no evidence of any local victims, but they encourage anyone with relevant information to contact local police. The case remains ongoing.
A new report reaffirms California’s commitment to zero-emission vehicle adoption and deployment despite attempts by Congress and the Trump administration to remove federal waivers that provide the state authority to cut pollution levels within its borders and elsewhere.
The state currently is involved in multiple lawsuits challenging the administration’s efforts to revoke the waivers approved by the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency and others.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) released the report last week in response to Gov. Gavin Executive Order N-27-25 in June that directs CARB and several other state agencies to recommend strategies that make clean transportation more affordable, reliable and accessible. The report outlines strategies to expand the adoption of Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) across all vehicle types, including school buses, as part of the state’s broader effort to combat air pollution and climate change.
The report highlights California’s leadership in clean transportation, noting that the state has already surpassed its goal of deploying 2 million ZEVs. With 56 ZEV manufacturers operating in the state and nearly 178,000 public or shared private electric vehicle chargers installed, California is setting the pace for the nation.
However, the CARB report notes that five of the 10 most polluted cities in the U.S. are in California, and millions of residents still live in areas with dangerously high ozone levels, especially in the Los Angeles area and the San Joaquin Valley.
To address these challenges, CARB recommends actions across six key areas: Private investment, incentives, infrastructure, fuel pricing, regulations, and procurement. CARB seeks to sustain the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program that utilizes credits from 200 participating companies and from utilities to subsidize clean fuels like renewable diesel and to continue taking advantage of other existing funding programs. It recommends backfilling the federal clean air vehicle tax credits that are set to expire at the end of next month and providing “reliable and consistent funding” to the agency and the California Energy Commission for ZEV deployment and infrastructure incentive programs.
Noting that infrastructure remains one of the largest barriers to ZEV adoption, the report highlights the need for increased reliability of and access to EV chargers, including timely repair. CARB also recommends streamlining permitting processes and utility energization timelines. This includes implementing flexible service connections and other strategies to eliminate delays in EV charging installation.
CARB also calls for unlocking the benefits of V2G by improving the energization process to enable vehicles to power homes and businesses or to export power to the grid during peak demand periods. This includes developing utility rates “that align EV charging and discharging with grid needs” and establishing incentives to automakers that build EVs that can provide backup power. CARB also writes that standards are needed for chargers to enable the use of vehicle-grid integration.
School buses are directly impacted by the state’s push for ZEV adoption. The report emphasizes the need for incentives and infrastructure to support the transition to zero-emission buses. For school districts, this could mean additional access to funding programs that make it easier to replace aging diesel buses with electric or even hydrogen-powered alternatives. Additionally, CARB says the focus on building reliable charging infrastructure could alleviate concerns about fueling capacity and range limitations.
For companies operating school buses, the report’s recommendations present both opportunities and challenges. The emphasis on private investment through programs like the LCFS could provide financial incentives for operators to transition their fleets. Additionally, the state’s focus on workforce development could help create a pipeline of skilled workers to maintain and operate ZEVs.
However, the transition will require careful planning. CARB states operators will need to navigate new regulations, invest in charging or fueling infrastructure and ensure their fleets meet the state’s reliability and durability standards. Collaboration with state agencies and local governments will be key to overcoming these hurdles.
The CARB report also notes 17 other states and the District of Columbia have chosen to adopt at least part of California’s vehicle standards. The demand in these states for clean transportation collectively represents 40 percent of the nation’s new light-duty vehicle market and 25 percent of the nation’s new heavy-duty vehicle market, which are three to four times that of California alone. In addition, three of these states have established complementary regulations similar to California’s LCFS to further advance the clean vehicle market.
News always travels fast, but it is not always accurate, which led to a Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (Cy-Fair ISD) bus driver being incorrectly accused of driving erratically while transporting students via a local news station. The district’s superintendent released a social media statement setting the record straight.
On Monday, KHOU-11 published a news article reporting that the unidentified Cy-Fair ISD bus driver was pulled over by police and administered a field sobriety test after a receiving report from a bystander claiming they “saw the bus driving erratically.”
Cy-Fair Superintendent Doug Killian released a statement Thursday defending the school bus driver and clarifying the events.
“On Monday morning, one of our new drivers hit a curb on a tight turn to avoid a vehicle in the opposite lane,” Killian stated. “A community member reported this to Harris County Precinct 5 Constables. Our team reviewed the video of the route multiple times and can definitively say the driver was not driving erratically, as it was reported.”
Killian confirmed the driver was given a field sobriety test twice by law enforcement, as was shown by KHOU-11, and both tests came back negative. The school bus driver was then taken to a clinic for drug and alcohol testing, per district protocol. Killian confirmed those tests also came back negative.
The school bus driver was reportedly back on route Friday.
In the statement, Killian expressed his disappointment in the “click-bait report” that was released by the news station and said that the district is requesting an on-air retraction and apology to the driver.
“The media story created unnecessary embarrassment for this driver and was released prior to the completion of our full investigation. It painted a negative light on the true professionalism of our CFISD bus drivers and transportation staff,” he said.
He continued that while he does not hold out hope that the retraction and apology will happen, he felt it was his duty as superintendent to publicly release the facts of the incident and that he “cannot in good conscience sit by and watch a staff member be attacked or presented in a poor light when their actions were not poor or negatively impactful to kids.”
He explained that after the school bus driver was pulled over, the students onboard behaved well despite the delay, which he attributed to the “quality of our drivers and the high expectations they set for our riders since the first day of school.”
Killian thanked the driver involved for their service and said he encourages the media to report on positive news stories throughout the school year.
On social media, Kilian’s statement was commended by the community for defending the reputation of the driver. One Facebook commenter noted that following the release of the story, “There were so many hurtful and ugly negative comments,” illustrating how a story shared on social media can quickly garner a strong public reaction, even if the facts have not been verified yet.
“This was truly a fantastic example of leadership, accountability, and standing and speaking directly to the people and FOR the people you serve,” said another Facebook comment.
Meanwhile, KHOU published an updated article Thursday noting Killian’s response and the school bus driver passing all drug and alcohol tests, adding, “That criticism came despite the fact that we reached out to Cy-Fair ISD multiple times throughout the day ahead of our story Tuesday night and shared the district’s statement that noted the driver passed two field sobriety tests and an alcohol test, but had been placed on paid leave pending drug test results.”
The news station also reported it asked Cy-Fair for access to the video exonerating the school bus driver, but the request was denied.
A Fayette County school bus driver is under investigation after reportedly leaving a group of young children unattended inside a restaurant while he ordered breakfast and used the restroom during his morning route, reported Fox 13.
The incident reportedly happened on Aug. 7 when the driver pulled up with five elementary-aged students estimated to be between 5 and 7 years old and brought them into the restaurant. Cyndi Oliver, owner of Sweet Creations & Our Daily Bread in La Grange, Tennessee, said the school bus driver told her he couldn’t leave the children alone on the bus, so he escorted them inside before heading to the restroom.
“He came back in and said, ‘You know, I really can’t leave the kids on the bus,’” Oliver recalled. “Then he went to the restroom and left the children here.”
Oliver said the students were left sitting at a table, unsupervised, for about 10 minutes while the driver was in the restroom. After receiving his order, the driver reportedly returned to the bus, parked across the street and ate his meal before continuing his route.
According to the news report, Oliver was concerned about what she saw and contacted the Fayette County School Board immediately but said she didn’t receive a response for several hours. She later posted about the incident in a local community Facebook group, urging parents of children who ride bus No. 73 to reach out.
“Ten minutes is a long time,” she said via the report. “If I hadn’t been that person, I could have asked any one of those children to come with me … and they would have gone.”
In response, Fayette County Public Schools issued a statement via the article acknowledging the incident and confirming that the situation is under review.
“Student safety is our top priority, and we take this matter very seriously,” the statement reads. “The situation is currently under investigation in accordance with district policy and procedures. Because this is a personnel matter, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
Oliver said she was later contacted by a school district official who assured her that steps would be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, the district has not provided details regarding those specific measures when contacted by local news reporters.
As of this report, the bus driver’s status with the district remains unclear pending the outcome of the investigation.
Technology experts joined a North Carolina transportation director who weathered Hurricane Helene to discuss how safety, communication and flexibility are central to serving students with special needs or who are experiencing housing insecurity.
Courtney Pallotta, chief marketing officer for alternative transportation provider and webinar sponsor EverDriven, reviewed the company’s “Future of Modern Student Transportation and Safety” study, which found that 62 percent of U.S. school districts reported increasing enrollments of students with special needs and 49 percent reported rising McKinney-Vento student counts.
She shared public information statistics indicating 7.6 million students with special needs require transportation as a related service under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as outlined on their Individualized Education Programs. The 1.22 million students experiencing homelessness under McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act protections make up more than 17.5 percent of all K–12 students in the U.S., Palotta added.
Modernizing operations could be the key to improving operations although that requires a student-centric and safety-focused approach.
“Budget oversight, accountability and safety standards have never been higher,” she said. “How do you put the student at the center of your modernizing strategy?”
Adam Warner, EverDriven’s vice president of operations and head of safety, shared that over half of the school districts surveyed said they face a school bus driver shortage or could not provide adequate transportation for these vulnerable student populations.
Jeremy Stowe, director of transportation for Buncombe County Schools in North Carolina, noted that consistency for students is important during shifting life circumstances, the most recent egregious example being last September’s Hurricane Helene. This, he said, requires transportation to be nimble while still safe and to keep transparent lines of communication open with parents.
Post-Hurricane Helene roads – image courtesy of Buncombe County Schools.
Safety and Innovation
Alan Fliegelman, EverDriven’s vice president of product management, and Warner noted that everything from student ridership to driver behavior to vehicle inspections can be effectively tracked and managed through telematics and technology.
“How do we use technology to create a safer, smarter, more adaptable ride?” Warner questioned. “I want to get to a place where these tools ensure that compliance is not assumed but is actively verified.”
“Safety is the only acceptable standard,” Pallotta agreed.
Stowe confirmed as a director of transportation that he expects nothing less than the best for the companies he partners with to serve his school district’s students. As Sears and Roebuck was overshadowed by Amazon, he cautioned pupil transporters to not just lean on the ubiquitous yellow school bus without evolving as needed.
Communication and Transparency
“I have to run at the speed of trust,” declared Stowe, adding he works hard to provide a positive impression of the easily identifiable yellow school bus so parents trust that it is safe and reliable for their children.
“The best thing we can do is meet expectations and earn trust,” Pallotta concurred.
Proactive and real-time communication reduces parent anxiety and unnecessary calls, Warner noted. This is especially important to set up before starting a new school year or gearing up for winter operations, he said.
Technology that incorporates routing software and communication apps helps parents, drivers and district leadership stay on the same page, Fliegelman stated.
Flexibility and Adaptability
The trifecta of safety, transparency and flexibility was crucial when servicing families affected by Hurricane Helene, Stowe relayed. So many families were temporarily displaced that the district saw its McKinney-Vento student ridership triple.
He recalled encountering EverDriven at industry conferences, including STN EXPO East, and the help in removing a barrier so these students could receive education, be fed and return to normalcy at school.
Stowe said that while he may be able to transport 99 percent of his students on yellow school buses, he sought out the right partner with the right tools for the job of transporting the remaining one percent.
“The only way to handle these [instances] without disruption is to build an operation with a contingency plan at its core,” Warner said. “There’s a lot of things that can change in the course of a day. You have to build all these operational practices up front.”
Three action steps provided during EverDriven webinar.
Partnership and Implementation
Technology automation can greatly assist in cases where changes to one bus or driver could cascade into affecting other buses and drivers, Fliegelman noted.
in an age where parents have live location apps on their children’s phones and screaming school bus drivers go viral on social media, technology effectively used by transportation departments helps get ahead of incidents.
“If you’re not talking to parents, they’re talking about you,” Stowe said. “Pump that information out and control the narrative.”
A personal touch is crucial for not just students but parents too. To assist with technology implementation, Stowe said he leveraged personal connections by involving social workers to help parents download the communication app. “That paid huge dividends,” he added.
“Students may forget everything we taught them, but they’ll remember how we treated them,” Stowe summed up.
Transportation professionals nationwide are invited to attend the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs Conference and Trade Show from Nov. 6—11, 2025 at the Embassy Suites in Frisco (Dallas), Texas. Immerse yourself in the latest trends in special needs transportation training, products, and services. Connect with like-minded individuals, attend educational sessions and workshops, and explore product demonstrations. Learn more and register at tsdconference.com.
One of Ethan’s bus drivers failed to make a morning stop, prompting a call from a concerned and upset mother. Instead of feeling stressed by the call, the transportation director felt noticeably calmer. That’s because he had a new team member in place and was confident the incident could likely be resolved in minutes, not hours.
In the past, a missed bus stop in Ethan’s district typically meant an hour of research, at minimum. He needed details quickly and some took considerable time to acquire due to travel, driver responsiveness and staff availability. Often, it took Ethan hours to collect the information, evaluate and report on a single incident.
Face the same challenges? Level up, like Ethan did.
Motivated by the need for easier event resolution and assistance with daily operations, he shopped for a streamlined solution to facilitate efficiency. Ultimately, he brought the A-game to his operation: ARMOR Software Suite.
When integrated with high-definition REI cameras and DVRs, the suite delivers a remote, all-in-one fleet management solution designed to boost efficiency, safety and peace of mind. How would ARMOR’s innovative tools simplify your fleet management, like they did for Ethan and his team? Let’s take a look:
Track Vehicles in Real Time
Shortly after the mother’s call, Ethan accessed the Insight tool to find the bus route and capture details. A click on the stop’s location enabled him to view and download video of the alleged missed stop. Minutes later, he had video proof: The student was absent, and his driver did stop. The process would be just as easy for your operation.
Automate Processes & Communication
The Actions tool allows you to set up automated video downloads, automated event notifications, automated diagnostic warnings/updates and other useful reports. This eliminates trips to pull hard drives, speeds up event resolutions and helps reduce costs.
Simplify Video Search
AutoPilot serves as an archive of auto-downloaded and manually requested video clips. Users may filter videos by criteria to save hours of search time. Ethan frequently shares videos with other administrators via password-protected links.
Enable Live Look-In
With ten thousand students on the district’s afternoon buses, Ethan sees all types of events. ARMOR Live allows him to view and hear these events in progress, enabling him to respond quickly. Think how much time and effort it would save your team.
Access Data & Video Remotely
With ARMOR Cloud, district administrators can securely access ARMOR from anywhere, at any time, using internet-connected devices. This allows them to request the video clips they wish to review and eliminates some tasks for Ethan and his team. Even more, the cloud service minimizes server management responsibilities and costs for hardware and IT resources. Security, scalability and software updates are administered for them.
Interested in taking your fleet management to the A level? Want to score info about all of ARMOR’s tools? Contact REI or your sales representative.
Requires additional hardware and/or specific cellular service plans. Ask for details.
The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.
SHELTON, Conn. -Just in time for back-to-school, the City of Shelton announced today the launch of a new school bus safety program in partnership with BusPatrol. The initiative is designed to protect children as they travel to and from school by curbing the dangerous and illegal motorist behavior of passing stopped school buses.
Starting Tuesday, August 26, Shelton Public Schools’ fleet of 68 buses will be equipped with BusPatrol’s AI-powered stop-arm enforcement technology. The program will begin with a 30-day warning period during which vehicle owners who illegally pass stopped school buses will receive warning letters without monetary penalties. On September 29, the program will enter live enforcement, with violators subject to a minimum $250 civil penalty under Connecticut law. Every violation is reviewed by trained municipal staff before a fine is issued.
Importantly, the program is provided at zero cost to the City, school district, and taxpayers. BusPatrol covers the upfront investment, including the technology, installation, and ongoing maintenance. The program is entirely violator-funded, meaning drivers who break the law and put children at risk pay for this important student safety program.
Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti said: “We’re proud to lead the charge as the second city in the state to launch stop-arm enforcement. This is about one thing: protecting our kids. We’re setting the standard for student safety and sending a clear message – passing a stopped school bus is never worth the risk.”
Justin Meyers, President and Chief Innovation Officer at BusPatrol, said: “Every day, drivers put kids at risk by blowing past school bus stop-arms. The data shows these programs work. Nine out of ten drivers who receive a violation notice do not do it again. That proves the technology changes driver behavior and makes roads safer. By bringing AI-powered enforcement to Shelton, we are helping the City tackle a public safety issue with a solution that is protecting children nationwide.”
Dr. Ken Saranich, Superintendent of Shelton Public Schools, said: “The safety of our students is our top priority at Shelton Public Schools, and implementing this program will mark a major step in further safeguarding our children as they ride the bus to and from school daily. We are grateful to partner with BusPatrol to enhance student safety and promote safer driving behaviors in our community.”
Shelton is the latest city in Connecticut to implement a BusPatrol program, following Bridgeport, and joins a growing movement across New England. Neighboring Stratford and Trumbull are also expected to launch the program in the new school year, along with Waterbury, Danbury and New Haven.
Every day, more than 330,000 children ride school buses in Connecticut. A recent study found that cameras on just 74 buses recorded nearly 10,000 illegal passes in six months, equivalent to 75 violations per weekday. Each violation represents a moment where a child’s life is put at risk.
Connecticut law requires drivers to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended, so children can cross the road safely. This applies on two-lane and multi-lane roads in both directions. The only exception is when traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway with a raised median or barrier.
Engine manufacturers using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emission control technology have new federal guidance allowing them to more gradually “derate” systems when diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) depletes.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced during the Iowa State Fair last week the new action designed to protect American farmers, truckers and other diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by DEF systems.
“We have heard loud and clear from small businesses across the U.S. that the current DEF system is unacceptable,” Zeldin said in a statement. “It is unacceptable that farmers, truckers, construction workers, and many other small businesses continually experience failures of diesel-powered equipment when they need it most—costing millions of dollars in lost productivity. Today, we are responding to those concerns by calling on manufacturers to take action to update their software and eliminate the unnecessary sudden loss of power and frustrating shutdowns that too many Americans have experienced.”
EPA issued the guidance urging diesel engine and off-road farm equipment manufacturers to revise DEF system software in existing vehicles and equipment to prevent these sudden shutdowns. Starting with model year 2027, all new diesel on-road trucks and motorcoaches must be engineered to avoid sudden and severe power loss after running out of DEF.
EPA said it also has a fix for derate issues in legacy diesel vehicles with SCR.
“To fix the problem for vehicles already in use, EPA’s new guidance, developed in collaboration with manufacturers, will work to ensure that the necessary software changes can be made on the existing fleet,” the press release notes. “In addition to providing certainty to manufacturers about how EPA wants this issue resolved, the agency is not requiring separate approvals beyond that provided in EPA’s guidance. This ensures that bureaucratic steps do not delay manufacturers’ ability to put solutions into the field.”
Since 2010, SCR has used on-board diagnostics sensors to detect when DEF runs out or diesel particulate filters clog and then initiate a rapid derate of the engine. Within four hours of DEF depletion, vehicles automatically slow to five miles per hour.
But the results for industries have been “catastrophic,” said EPA, as disruptions have occurred to logistics, agriculture and construction. Several diesel engine manufacturers also initiated recalls over their SCR technology. Cummins recalled 2010 to 2015 medium- and heavy-duty engines, including the ISB 6.7 for school buses, because the SCR unit catalysts degraded faster than expected.
“At Cummins, we recognize our responsibility in powering some of the country’s most economically vital applications, from the buses that take our kids to and from school to the trucks that deliver critical goods,” a statement from the company reads. “Collaboration with our customers is at the heart of what we do, ensuring we deliver solutions that meet their business needs while continuously innovating to improve fuel efficiency, reduce costs and enhance reliability. SCR is a widely accepted, proven technology utilized in many applications, and we are committed to working closely with the EPA and the select customers affected by SCR inducements. Together, we aim to provide regulatory certainty, greater flexibility and the dependable solutions that contribute to the American economy.”
Daimler Truck North America told School Transportation News it welcomes the new guidance.
“We are supportive of the efforts to provide more flexibility with regard to DEF inducement and are actively working on solutions to support our customers,” the statement reads.
“EPA has heard from users of diesel trucks, tractors and equipment and, working with manufacturers, has responded with these adjustments to improve operational performance while ensuring emissions integrity,” Executive Director Allen Schaeffer said. “EPA’s announcement [Aug. 12] provides new guidance that allows manufacturers to adjust these systems to ensure that farmers, motor coach operators, and truckers, who all rely on diesel engines and equipment, will be able to complete critical work with sufficient lead time for scheduling maintenance and repairs.”
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Blue Valley Schools started the new school year on a strong note last week thanks to the dedicated efforts of its long-time school transportation partner, Durham School Services, and the Blue Valley Schools transportation team. For the first day of school, Durham drove a total of 105 routes and transported 4,000 students.
Durham has been the district’s transportation provider for 14 years, and just last year, announced a five-year partnership renewal that runs through 2029 – a clear indication of the school’s continued, deep trust with Durham’s service and team. Further, over the years, as a committed community partner, Durham has supported various local pantries through donations, provided grants to teachers, and has annually sponsored the Blue Valley Educational Foundation’s (BVEF) Annual Community Breakfast event as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program.
“Blue Valley Schools are off to a strong start this fall, thanks to the efforts of our transportation team and Durham School Services,” said Jason Gillam, SFO, Director of Business Operations, Blue Valley Schools. “On-time performance has continued to improve each day as routes settle in, and families are experiencing smoother service overall. We’re grateful for the hard work and collaboration that made the first days of the 2025–26 school year one of our best bus start-ups yet.”
“Congratulations to our team and Blue Valley Schools for such a smooth, successful start to the new school year,” said Cody Aksamit, General Manager, Durham School Services. “I’d like to thank my team for their ever admirable hard work, along with the preparation efforts they’ve put into ensuring school start-up runs as smoothly as possible. From safety start-up meetings to practice runs of routes, our teams stayed focused on their objective, and it paid off. I’d like to also give special thanks to Blue Valley Schools for their unwavering support for the past 10+ years. Welcome back, everyone, and here’s to a great start to the school year!”
About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, Stock Transportation and Petermann Bus, are dedicated to the safety of our students and People. Collectively, for more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services and its sister brands have earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities they serve.
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