FRISCO, Tx. — Saturday featured a keynote from special education attorney Betsey Helfrich and numerous breakout sessions on collaborating across departments for the safety and support of students with special needs.

Additionally, the Roadeo Competition was coordinated by Women in Transportation (wit.) offsite at Frisco Independent School District.

A Lunch & Learn saw Blue Bird and Zonar client representatives discuss fuel of choice and technology case studies.

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FRISCO, Texas — Betsey Helfrich said school district polices never trump the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. “There is always an exception for a child with a disability,” said the special education legal expert during her keynote address, Avoiding the Bumps & Legal Hazards in Student Transportation, Saturday during the Transporting Students with Disabilities (TSD) and Special Needs Conference.

Helfrich, who practices special education law in Missouri and Kansas, provided an overview of legal updates, court cases and compliance practices in student transportation. She focused on students with disabilities under IDEA and Section 504. The session emphasized how transportation decisions intersect with legal requirements, equity and student safety, urging districts to train staff, document decisions and avoid blanket policies.

Despite current events on the federal level, such as the proposed closing the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and funding cuts, IDEA and Section 504 remain fully in effect. Congress would need to vote to disband the U.S. Department of Transportation as well as where IDEA and Section 504 oversight would move to. Funding shifts do not change the underlying rights, she said.

She provided brief overview of each law, noting that attendees in the room should go back to their school districts and teach their school bus drivers the same thing, so they understand the importance of federal requirements.

IDEA is a funded law requiring Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Transportation can be a “related service” if necessary for a student to benefit from an free and appropriate public education, or FAPE, in the least restrictive environment, or LRE. Section 504 is a civil rights law focused on equal access and nondiscrimination. It is broader, older and less specific than IDEA, and not tied to any monetary gains. She said Section 504 has not been updated since it was written in 1977.

Typically, Helfrich said, students should not have both an IEP and a 504 plan, as everything in the IEP is essentially a contract. She advised being cautious with automatic decisions like “door-to-door” transport, noting that the IEP team must determine needs on a case-by-case basis.

She provided court case examples, citing instances in which parents won and others which districts won, depending on the request and circumstances. She particularly stressed the importance of avoiding discrimination on field trips, extracurricular activities and other events.

For districts that rely on policy, she said they are opening themselves up a lawsuit, as “we don’t do that here” is not a legal defense.

An attendee told School Transportation News following the keynote that Helfrich is very knowledgeable and was able to speak globally on transporting students with disabilities. Even though she touched on different states, the attendee said the rules are the same, because the laws are the same.

The attendee from Maryland said she will be involved in a case next week. She noted that while her school district policy says one thing, it doesn’t mean it meets the needs of the student and federal law. “That was a huge eye-opening moment for me,” she said, noting that they shouldn’t be saying some things as it not legally true.

Helfrich said IEPs should specify supports like wheelchair lifts, on-board attendents or aides, and climate-controlled buses, but parents cannot dictate who drives the student and the type of vehicle used, unless it is pertinent to the child’s disability.

She reminded attendees to inform contractors of relevant IEP details, as they are part of the need-to-know under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, that protects student records. It is different from HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects personal health information.

Related: Mother of Sandy Hook Victim Discusses Tragedy Planning for Students with Disabilities
Related: Transportation Director Shares How Propane Buses Benefit Special Needs Routes
Related: Download App for 2025 TSD Conference
Related: Gallery: TSD Conference Hands-On Training, Ride & Drive, Welcome Party

Students with disabilities also have additional rights regarding behavior and discipline. However, school bus suspensions over 10 days will trigger a Manifestation Determination Review, where the behavior will be evaluated to determine if it is related or not to a student’s disability.

She said school bus drivers should be trained on Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), including triggers and calming strategies. Plus, Helfrich said when a child needs to be searched due to reasonable suspicion of having a weapon, she advised having policies and procedures in place. For instance, does the school bus driver search the child or call for assistance?

While Section 504 provides for the reasonable accommodation of service animals and protects students from being discriminated against for using them, she cautioned the attendees to know the difference between service animals and emotional support animals. Only trained service animals performing tasks are protected under the broader ADA. Emotional support animals are not.

In conclusion, Helfrich advised attendees to train all staff, especially school bus drivers, on IDEA, Section 504 and district procedures. Document all staff participation and policy adherence. She underscored the importance of collaboration with special education and IEP teams before making unilateral changes to the IEP in terms of transportation. She noted the importance of reviewing and updating polices to avoid blanket decisions or discrimination risks and to plan for staff absences and service disruptions.

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FRISCO, Texas – Transportation Supervisor Todd Silverthorn shared how Kettering City Schools in Ohio improved efficiency, safety and accountability by integrating technology and promoting hands-on staff engagement.

Silverthorn said in Saturday’s Zonar-sponsored TSD Conference Lunch and Learn session that Kettering City Schools was looking for a technology solution to help with issues such as drivers being unfamiliar with routes, two-way radios not working in communication blackout spots, and the need to improve on-time performance.

Pairing Transfinder routing information and ByteCurve driver management with Zonar GPS helped the transportation department discover efficiencies and eliminate multiple routes, he said. Tracking the school buses helps direct mechanics to a broken-down vehicle or locate a one when a parent asks where it is.

Payroll issues are also solved faster as each driver’s route is tracked so it can be determined, for instance, if they were on a field trip route on a day that they missed clocking in. Turn-by-turn navigation has replaced paper route sheets and digital report keeping allows the pulling of data requested by law enforcement, Silverton explained.

To assist with implementation, the district took a “train-the-trainer” approach and educated several employees who then instructed the rest of the staff. It also received National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) grants to help offset the cost of the software and subscriptions.

Related: (STN Podcast E278) Expert Advice: Special Needs Legal Spotlight, Technology & Top Teams
Related: School Bus Maintenance Process Recommendations Influenced by Technology
Related: Feeling Super About Transportation Technology?
Related: Gallery: Green Buses, Bus Technology Highlighted on STN EXPO West Day 3
Related: (STN Podcast E275) Teamwork & Innovation: Alabama Top Transportation Team & Exclusive Zonar Interview

Silverthorn advised not to add too many technologies at once. He underscored the importance of involving staff in planning discussions and building in time for troubleshooting. He said he shows his drivers that both he and the data are there to support them, not simply surveil them “Big Brother” style.

He added that the data from his technology stack facilitates fuel savings, route efficiencies, streamlined payroll, DVR storage, easier driver navigation and conflict resolution.

A third of his fleet transports students with special needs and on-time performance is huge for this population, he said, noting how crucial it is to pinpoint specific bus locations. He recounted one incident in which a bus on the highway needed immediate assistance due to a student having a meltdown. The live GPS tracking allowed a trained aide to be dispatched there quickly.

Being able to monitor bus locations and provide parents with answers as to where their children are helps prevent said parents from showing up to bus stops and becoming aggressive with drivers, said Silverthorn, who is also the executive director of the Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation.

In answer to an attendee’s question on data security, Silverthorn said that the data is simply a livestream within the routing software and does not leave that environment.

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FRISCO, Texas – An Illinois transportation director shared the story of how propane school bus implementation turned things around for students with special needs.

Recently retired Diana Mikelski has 32 years of experience in student transportation and, until this summer, served as director of transportation for Township High School District 211 in Illinois, overseeing 163 buses and 45 vans transporting nearly 9,000 students more than 7,700 miles each school day.

She recalled in the Blue Bird-sponsored TSD Conference Lunch and Learn Saturday afternoon that the construction of a new parking lot necessitated a change to where the school buses were parked. When school bus drivers started the ignition on the diesel vehicles, the smoke penetrated a nearby school building. Things got so bad. the principal came running out to alert the drivesr of the issue.

Seeking a cleaner energy option, she said district administrators consulted with nearby districts and chose propane as the new fuel to transition to. She received a budget of $1 million approved by Township High School District and paired it with EPA grant money to initially purchase and implement 15 propane buses, in what she described as a “seamless” process working with Blue Bird, ROUSH CleanTech, fuel provider AmeriGas, and local vendors.

Mikelski reviewed the extra particulate matter filters and treatment that older diesel buses require, which means more work and more money spent. District bus mechanics adjusted to propane well, she said.

“My shop was fine. If you can handle diesel and gas, you can handle propane,” she stated.

Fuel currently costs her $1.25 per gallon for Township, which frees up funds for bus air conditioning and other perks.

Related: Webinar Discusses Impact of Propane School Buses on Costs, Health and Maintenance
Related: Propane School Buses Save Districts 50% on Total Cost of Ownership
Related: Roundup: Informative Green Bus Summit Held at STN EXPO West
Related: Propane ‘Easy Button’ to Replace Diesel School Buses, STN EXPO Panel Claims
Related: Students, Staff at Illinois District Approve of Propane School Buses

The propane buses were a boon for special needs students, Mikelski said. An amazed special education teacher called to inform her that students were coming into school calmer, de-escalated and ready to learn. Together they discovered that the propane buses the students were riding were quieter than the diesel ones, so both drivers and students could communicate without shouting. They could actually hear the music they used to soothe themselves, and some students did not need their normal noise cancelling headphones.

“Everyone was calmer, happier getting off the bus and going into the building,” she confirmed. “It is a marked improvement.”

STN Publisher and session moderator Tony Corpin recalled that Saturday morning’s keynote by Betsey Helfrich discussing legal aspects like Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) noted that parents seeing these benefits may request propane buses in their child’s IEP.

In addition to the sound-level reduction, Mikelski shared that students in wheelchairs did not have to create makeshift blanket shields against noxious diesel fumes while loading the school buses, as they sometimes had to do. She confirmed that propane buses do not have to idle longer than 15 minutes to warm up, even in Illinois winters.

“These buses are running cleaner than anything right now,” she said, referring to the ultra-low nitrogen oxide levels of 0.02 g/bhp-hr that ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel systems are certified to meet. She added that Ford, Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech were more than satisfactory partners, noting she is not anxious about winter operations.

She corrected common misconceptions that propane could literally blow up the whole bus operation. Corpin reviewed the domestically produced, clean and safe nature of propane, which is commonly used to cook food via burners and grills. Mikelski said she even performed a test using a white hanky test to illustrate that propane school bus tailpipes don’t emit black soot like older diesel models can.

“Know that you’re supported,” she said. “This is a very easy way to move into an alternative fuel without a lot of angst along the way.”

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FRISCO, Texas — Michele Gay turned tragedy into teaching, as she recounted the loss of her daughter, Josephine, in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting at the opening keynote during the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference.

Now the co-founder and executive director of Safe and Sound Schools, Gay discussed Friday afternoon her personal journey and how she overcame a point in her life when she couldn’t see a future after the murder of her daughter, 19 of her classmates, and six school staff members. What helped her, she said, was rethinking school safety with another mother, Alyssa Parker, who also lost her daughter in the shooting.

Gay, who started her career as a special education teacher at age 21, said she had no training for how to keep children safe. She noted that the school district and those of the companies at the conference have something stated in their mission statements relating to safety. Yet, many forget to mention the how.

“Our Super Bowl is safe kids at school,” Gay said as she showed a chart outlining the framework for a comprehensive school safety plan and development.

She noted that if a child has a monitor or aide, often those school employees are viewed as the sole safety plan. However, she cautioned that mentality as when it comes to safety, “We’re all in this together.”

School safety is everybody’s job, and it’s the core of what people do. She explained that safety is more than procedures owned by one team and it must be embedded across all aspects of school districts. She advised rethinking how safety is taught, and said that it should be developmentally appropriate, low-stress and skill-based.

Don’t DIY safety, she said, adding that it’s important to coordinate and comply. Be vocal about safety and work through codes and compliance with experts and partners. A properly secured door, for example, is a simple but powerful layer of protection. Gay asked those in the room to be loud when it comes to student safety to and represent what they know.

Keep it simple and non-sensational was another message she encouraged throughout her keynote. Use clear, action-oriented language and minimal supporting icons, she said. Avoid evocative images or drama that create trauma; focus on behaviors and steps kids can take.

She broke down the key considerations for creating a safety plan.

• Ask the experts: Who are the experts on your students and your community? In terms of transportation, she said it’s usually the school bus drivers who know the children the best.
• All-Hazards Approach: Be prepared for anything. Comprehensive planning, skills and knowledge building, and generalization of skills.
• Teaching before Training: Equipping students, building confidence and trust, setting up for successful drills and exercises, building the life skills of safety. Gay said it’s not about pop quizzes, but instead talking to students beforehand on what the training entails and why the bus is built a certain way, for example.
• Skills for Life: Tools in the toolbox. Increases safety across settings and circumstances.
• No Drama, No Trauma: Focus on skills and behaviors. Skip the sensorial and sensational. Avoid evocative images. Consider your words. What do you want students to do if they’re in danger? She noted it’s not just about doing an evacuation drill, but instead talking about the behavior and steps that students need to take.
• Words Matter: Keep it simple. Use action-oriented words. Avoid dramatic words and phrases. Support text with simple images (icons, symbols) and keep them to three. Like Stop, drop and roll. Everyone remembers this saying, but how many actually had to do it?

If you can’t get on board with all those considerations, where do we start, she asked. She said it’s about meeting students where they are. She discussed the ladder of levels, where students can be on different rings based on their age and abilities. Use the ladder to tailor expectations and training intensity, Gay advised.

In terms of training exceptional students, she said standard plans often miss students with disabilities or unique needs. Her daughter Josphine had many exceptional abilities, as she called them, she was diagnosed with autism and later with global apraxia and apraxia of speech. Gay advised creating individualized, portable plans so any staff (including substitutes) know the supports required.

The inclusive safety planning six-step process includes:

1. 1. Gather your team
   2. Identify specific needs
   3. Build individual Teams
   4. Create an ISP
   5. Share the plan
   6. Preview and adjust

Related: Download App for 2025 TSD Conference
Related: Mother of Sandy Hook Victim Brings Student Safety Message to TSD
Related: Gallery: National School Bus Safety Week 2025

James Page, director of transportation for Putnam City Schools in Oklahoma, shared with STN following the keynote that he found the emergency plans for students with disabilities as his biggest takeaway.

“It was something that in the 20-plus years that I’ve been in school transportation that I’ve never thought about,” Page said. “It was eye-opening to see that. So as soon as I hit the ground Wednesday morning back at my district, that’s going to be one of the first things that I’m going to be working with my SPED department about. Sitting down and coming up with evacuation plans for our special education students.”

Gay also discussed the importance of transportation being involved in the student-parent reunification process and emergency planning. She recommended attendees engage in tabletop exercises, something that can be done on the school bus. For instance, ask students if the school bus was to catch fire right now, what would they do?

She noted it’s important to communicate with families and staff during crises, planning out how to speak with one another. She advised against one off, dramatic messaging for kids and instead recommended repeated, skill-based learning.

Overall, Gay advised attendees to start small and collaborate. Gather your team, introduce simple action words and icons, run low-stress practice, then expand it to scale, she said. Action checklists include forming a multi-disciplinary team (including transportation), inventory students’ access/functional needs, draft quick individual safety plans, practice tabletop scenarios on buses and standardize simple action-based messaging for each developmental level.

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On Friday, Nov. 7, the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference kicked off with hands-on securement training and a nearly four-hour Foundations of Special Needs session.

The day was followed by a keynote presentation by Michele Gay, who discussed developing and delivering safety curricula and training. The night ended with a Ride & Drive and Welcome Party at Topgolf The Colony.

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Two California farmworkers were celebrated as local heroes after saving 20 children from a burning school bus in Madera County north of Fresno last month, reported ABC News.

Carlos Perea Romero and Angel Zarco were honored on Oct. 21 by the Madera County Board of Supervisors for their quick thinking and bravery during the Sept. 4 incident, when they pulled students to safety from a school bus engulfed in flames.

“All the students made it out safely without any injuries due to the immediate action taken by the farmworkers and the bus driver,” the Board said via the article. “The Board of Supervisors recognize the two men for their selfless courage and bravery, demonstrating the highest ideals of public service, compassion and community spirit.”

Romero and Zarco were reportedly driving to work when they spotted thick smoke rising from the school bus. Without hesitation, they rushed to the scene and began evacuating the trapped children, battling heat and smoke to reach those seated in the back rows.

“We are profoundly grateful to the two farmworkers whose heroic actions saved the lives of more than 20 children,” said Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue via the news report. “Their quick thinking, bravery, and compassion in the face of danger exemplify the very best of Madera County.”

Zarco recalled the urgency of the moment.

“We were just making sure the kids were far away enough so that they wouldn’t get hurt,” he said.

Romero added, “One more moment that would have lasted, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Both men downplayed their heroism, saying they were simply doing what needed to be done. According to the article, CAL FIRE Division Chief Larry Pendarvis also praised the pair, saying their “situational awareness and fortitude” made the difference in saving lives. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Related: California Student Honored for Quick Thinking During School Bus Fire
Related: Two Juveniles Charged with Destroying Buses in Arson Fire
Related: Arkansas School District Thanks Driver for Quick Response During Bus Fire
Related: North Texas School Bus Engine Catches Fire, Students Evacuated Safely

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At the National Association for Pupil Transportation Annual Conference and Trade Show (ACTS) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, keynote speaker Darryl Bellamy inspired the audience with creating transparency around common fears and how to move forward from fear paralysis.

Bellamy said during his Nov. 1 presentation that over his career he has collected 75,000 fears handwritten by individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and careers. He explained that across the ages, from 8 years old to 80, the fears seem to fall into the same categories. He led attendees through multiple interactive exercises to analyze their individual reactions to fear.

After the first exercise, where attendees closed their eyes to visualize what thoughts the word “fear” triggered, Bellamy explained that generally people have a negative feeling when it comes to fear. However, he said, fear is not the enemy. Inaction is. Fear is a natural response, a check-engine light to signal us that we are feeling discomfort or unsafe and is something we need to survive as humans. But it cannot stop us from pushing through.

“What I truly want is for you to not feel fearless, but to fear a little less,” said Bellamy.

The next exercise had each member of the audience write down their greatest fears on pieces of paper and then place them in a symbolic fire on the stage. Bellamy read aloud some of these written responses, noting the common themes and statements made. These included fear of how we are perceived, fear of not accomplishing goals, fear of appearing incompetent, fear of not being good enough, fear of losing a job or income, fear of making mistakes and fear of letting others down.

Volunteers from the audience stood up to voice their biggest fears, and Bellamy asked the rest of the attendees to affirm their agreement with each fear by snapping their fingers. This demonstration, he said, proves that while fear can feel very isolating, oftentimes we are facing similar fears as do the people around us.

One attendee said, “My biggest fear is that someone is going to outwork me, that they’re smarter than me.” Another said “People who know me see me as strong, powerful but inside I feel like an imposter. I’m so scared, so anxious.” Many of the attendees nodded in agreement with the statement, “I fear that I’m not being an effective enough leader for my team,” and “I fear that my best won’t be enough.”

“You’re never alone in your journey. We just don’t talk about it enough. The fears we hide are the ones that connect us the most. Don’t keep it in your head, talk with someone about it, you give it less your power and we can work through it a little bit easier,” said Bellamy.

Bellamy said the first step is to “trace” or identify the fear, name it and break out of the “fear loop,” which he defined by feelings of stress, helplessness, distrust, dread, panic and anxiety. The next step is to “embrace” by managing your response and taking action.

He explained his 5-Second Rule. “When a thought comes into our head, we usually talk ourselves in or out of it in five seconds.” He used the metaphor of a retreat, where individuals were on a high-ropes course, and one woman was too afraid to let go of the rope to get back off the course. Bellamy said he counted out loud from five to one, and her instinct helped her let go. He explained that when we’re in a fear loop, our bodies often show physical signs of tension. Making a small change, such as deep breathing or smiling, can unlock the ability to take action. This action, Bellamy explained, may not always be perfect, but it promotes learning and growth as opposed to inaction.

Bellamy gave his list of the five questions he encourages attendees to ask themselves in a moment of fear:

1. What exactly am I afraid of?

2. What if it goes well?

3. If I failed, how would I grow?

4. What would be my first steps?

5. What regret would I have if I didn’t take action?

The final step, said Bellamy, is “grace,” being kind to yourself and bouncing back when things don’t go perfectly. He said reminds himself that we’re all on the same journey of life iwith the statement, “I made the best decision with the information and who I was at the time.”

Often, the uncertainty and the regret of inaction is what will cause more stress in the long run, he said. He referenced a study that asked subjects to write down all the things they were worried about and then track those events over the next 30 days. The study found that only 15 percent of the worries came to fruition while 79 percent turned out better than expected. He ended with words of encouragement. “You’ve survived 100 percent of your bad days. The goal is not perfection, it’s progress,” he shared.

Related: Gallery: NAPT ACTS 2025
Related: NAPT Announces More Annual Award Winners for 2025
Related: WATCH: South Carolina Bus Driver and Monitor Save Children from House Fire

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ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Gatekeeper Systems Inc. (“Gatekeeper” or the “Company”) (TSXV:GSI) (OTC:GKPRF), a leader in video and data solutions for school buses, public transit and smart cities, is pleased to announce the appointment of industry professional Hamish Dobson to its Board of Directors as an independent director.

Mr. Dobson has extensive security industry experience with senior leadership roles in engineering and product management at Motorola Solutions, a global leader in public safety and enterprise security solutions, and Avigilon prior to its acquisition by Motorola Solutions in 2018. Most recently, Hamish was Corporate Vice President of Video Security and Access Control for Motorola Solutions, where he led a worldwide engineering team who delivered AI-powered physical security solutions for the global market. Doug Dyment, Gatekeeper’s President and CEO commented, “We are very happy to have Hamish join our Board of Directors. His extensive experience in video analytics, scaling product teams, and product-led growth strategies will be a valued addition to our Board as we execute on our platform-as-a-service (PaaS)
product strategy”

Hamish Dobson commented, “I have followed Gatekeeper’s impressive growth in transit and school bus video solutions for several years and I look forward to contributing my support as director.” In conjunction with the appointment, the Company has granted 100,000 incentive stock options to Mr. Dobson, exercisable at $2.53 for a term of 5 years from the date of grant. The stock options are subject to vesting conditions and approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Gatekeeper Systems Inc.
Gatekeeper is a leading provider of video and data solutions for a safer transportation environment for children, passengers, and drivers on public transportation fleets. Gatekeeper has provided solutions to more than 60 transit agencies and 3,500 school districts throughout North America and has installed more than 63,000 Mobile Data Collectors for customers which record video and data daily from over 200,000 onboard devices. The Company’s hosted software applications facilitate AI-assisted video analytics for incident management and storage. The Company’s Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) business model is centered around the Mobile Data Collectors, which are the cornerstone of its data company transformation. www.gatekeeper-systems.com

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A Fleet Electrification Accelerator launched by Connecticut Green Bank earlier this year provides school districts with a free planning and deployment support program for local school bus fleets, with a focus on distressed municipalities.

The program is designed to help Connecticut school districts transition to electric school buses by offering technical, financial and operational guidance. It helps school districts overcome the various barriers to electrification such as EV adoption, infrastructure planning, vehicle procurement and cost analysis.

As of Tuesday, Preston Public Schools and the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System joined the Fleet Electrification Accelerator Fall Cohort. CTECS serves over 11,000 students across 17 technical high schools and one technical education center.

“The Green Bank is proud of the electric school bus investments we have made in 2025 through the Fleet Electrification Accelerator, which will help communities strive towards a cleaner future,” stated Bryan Garcia, president and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. “The participation of Preston Public Schools and CTECS reflects a growing commitment among Connecticut’s educational institutions to reduce emissions and deliver public health benefits through improved air quality while continuing to focus on the safe, reliable transportation of their students to and from school.”

Related: Connecticut School Bus Company Publishes Bilingual Book to Ease First-Day Bus Anxiety
Related: Webinar Discusses Impact of Propane School Buses on Costs, Health and Maintenance
Related: Strides in Vehicle to Grid Technology Continu

Through the program, Preston Public Schools and CTECS will receive everything from electric school bus basics, vehicle and charger recommendations, a road map, on site assessment, procurement timelines and funding and incentive opportunities.

“Preston Public Schools is one of approximately 10 school districts that owns and operates its fleet of school buses,” said Roy Seitsinger, Preston’s superintendent of schools. “The initial assessment shows the location of our transportation department to be the third best location statewide to provide the necessary power for electrifying our future fleet needs. We are proud to be one of the first school districts to partner with Connecticut Green Bank.”

Recruitment for the spring 2025 Fleet Electrification Accelerator is currently underway. The program is sponsored by CALSTART.

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RICHMOND, Va.– As fleets continue to shift away from diesel and toward cleaner, reliable energy sources, a new generation of skilled automotive service technicians is needed to maintain alternative fuel vehicles, like those running on propane autogas. The Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program, offered by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), is providing schools across the country with valuable training and resources needed to prepare students to work on propane autogas buses, trucks, vans, and more.

This innovative grant program provides U.S. educational institutions with up to $7,500 in funding to integrate propane-specific curriculum and equipment into their existing automotive training programs. The goal is to equip students with real-world experience maintaining and servicing vehicles powered by propane autogas. These skills are increasingly in demand as more fleets turn to propane autogas to reduce emissions and costs while maintaining operational efficiency.

“The Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program gives students an opportunity to learn these technologies in-depth, preparing them for successful careers after graduation supporting fleets that are increasingly turning to propane autogas,” said Joel Stutheit, senior manager of autogas business development at PERC. “This program also supports fleet owners by building a pipeline of talented and qualified technicians who can keep propane autogas trucks, vans, and buses on the road for years to come.”

Now in its second year, the grant program has already supported 24 schools in 16 states, training hundreds of students to inspect, service, and maintain propane autogas engine systems. Each participating school receives propane-specific curriculum, as well as funding to purchase propane autogas training equipment and to send an instructor to a “Train the Trainer” course. Eligible institutions must already offer an automotive program.

Today, more than 60,000 propane autogas vehicles are in operation across the United States, providing dependable service to transit agencies, delivery companies, emergency response fleets, utility crews, and more. Propane autogas is not only reliable but also clean, producing up to 96 percent fewer nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions than diesel. It offers lower fuel and maintenance costs, supports better air quality, and contributes to more consistent uptime.

“Enhanced curricula made possible by the Propane Autogas Vehicle Inspection Grant Program have given both students and schools a leg up,” Stutheit said. “Schools are able to expand their course offerings without increasing costs to students, while students gain new, valuable skill sets that position them for long-term success in a rapidly changing transportation industry.”

The application window is open through December 19. To learn more about the grant program or to apply, visit propane.com/autogasgrantprogram.

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.

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Heliox, A Siemens Business, is proud to announce its Heliox 44 kW V2G charger, a next-generation, all-in-one DC fast charging system engineered to meet the evolving needs of today’s electric vehicle (EV) fleets. Purpose-built for versatility and future-readiness, the Heliox 44 kW V2G delivers intelligent vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality, empowering fleet operators to maximize ROI while supporting energy resilience and sustainability goals.

The Heliox 44 kW V2G sets a new standard in fleet charging by providing robust bidirectional charging and discharging capability, allowing vehicles to return energy to the grid, lower operational costs, and play a pivotal role in local grid stability. With a powerful 44 kW output, the charger enables fast, efficient transitions for high-utilization fleets, optimizing uptime while supporting both networked and standalone operation. ISO 15118-20 and SAE J2847 compliance ensures broad compatibility EVs of today and tomorrow, while compact, all-in-one design allows for seamless installation across a range of facility layouts.

Operators benefit from flexible AC input settings, adjustable from 15A to 56A, making deployment possible even in locations with limited power supply. The NEMA 3R-rated enclosure delivers dependable performance indoors or outdoors, with wall-mount and pedestal options to accommodate varied site requirements. For intuitive fleet management, the Heliox 44 kW V2G features a LED indicating real-time EV State of Charge (SoC) and 7-inch LCD display for charging session information.

The charger’s advanced programmability enables time-of-use charging and scheduled energy transfers, unlocking energy cost savings for fleet managers. With V2G energy sales, operators can generate new revenue streams by selling surplus energy back to the grid. This technology also strengthens operational continuity, allowing vehicle batteries to provide backup power during outages. In addition, the system is designed, manufactured, and tested in the United States, making it fully compliant with the Buy America Act and eligible for government projects. A comprehensive suite of safety certifications, including UL 2202, UL 1741 SB, UL 9741, further demonstrates Heliox’s commitment to compliance and reliability.

With multiple cable length options (5m, 7m), robust communication features such as OCPP (1.6J and 2.0.1, ready for 2.1), Ethernet and 4G cellular connectivity, and preventative maintenance support, the Heliox 44 kW V2G is truly designed for long-term dependability. Fleet operators enjoy peace of mind with a 24-month warranty and the backing of a U.S.-based support team. With operating temperature capacity from -22°F to 122°F and an altitude rating up to 2,000 meters, the charger is ready for deployment across a broad spectrum of geographical and climate conditions.

The Heliox 44 kW V2G charger redefines what’s possible for EV fleets, delivering rapid charging, enhanced energy flexibility, and new potential for operational savings. For modern fleet operators, it represents a smart investment in efficiency, resilience, and the future of intelligent mobility.

About Heliox, A Siemens Business
Heliox, A Siemens Business, delivers world class EV charging equipment, EV charger maintenance and support services, and robust solutions for a broad range of EV fleets. Our portfolio encompasses all aspects of smart and efficient AC and DC charging infrastructure, including IoT-connected hardware, software, and a comprehensive service offering. Heliox manufactures UL compliant products that meet Buy America Act (BAA) and Build America Buy America (BABA) standards. Heliox’s high-quality, field-proven charging products are now backed by Siemens’ financial strength, global reach, and long-term stability—delivering the best of both worlds.

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In the heart of rural Tennessee, Stewart County Schools spans over 400 square miles, with just two traffic lights and a student population of around 1,900.

For decades, the district’s transportation system relied on the experience and memory of longtime Transportation Director Eric Watkins, who knows every road, house, and student by heart. But as Watkins contemplates retirement, he realized the next person in his role wouldn’t have the same institutional knowledge. That’s when Transfinder entered the picture—and changed everything.

“I’ve always said that my routing is in my head, but my head is getting very old,” he joked, “and it’s getting close to the time for me to call it quits here one of these days. I just said, ‘Listen, the next person that does my job is going to have something [Transfinder] because they don’t know where the roads are, they don’t know where the houses are, they don’t know where the kids are.”

Watkins had seen Transfinder at trade shows for years but always assumed it was too expensive for a small district like his. That changed when he met representatives from Transfinder, who walked him through the full package and pricing.

Watkins took the proposal to the school board with a clear message: “You either do it today or you do it when I leave. But at some point, you’re going to have to do it because I’m not going to be here forever.”

He successfully made his case and “they let me have the entire package,” he said.

Watkins was so confident in Transfinder’s award-winning solutions that he told the board that the technology would save enough money to pay for itself.

He was right.

One of the first major wins came from route optimization. Stewart County operates 32 bus routes, transporting about 1,500 students daily. With Transfinder’s GPS and mapping tools, Watkins could see exactly where each student lived, when they were picked up, and how long each route took.

This visibility is helping him consolidate routes without cutting jobs. When a driver announced an upcoming retirement, Watkins uses Routefinder PLUS to see where he can combine routes among existing drivers.

Watkins said he could easily adjust nearby routes and start shifts 15 minutes earlier which will essentially absorb that route. That single change eliminated the need to hire a replacement and saved enough money to cover the entire cost of Transfinder for the year.

But the savings didn’t stop there.

Using Transfinder’s fleet maintenance and inventory management tool Servicefinder, the district’s mechanics gained remote access to bus diagnostics. If a driver reports a warning light, the garage can instantly assess the issue and advise whether the bus can continue on its route or if it needs to be swapped out. This reduces downtime, avoids unnecessary dispatches, and keeps students on schedule.

Transfinder also helped improve fleet management. Watkins now monitors every bus on a 32-inch screen in his office, tracking location, speed, fuel levels, and more. Even buses on field trips 100 miles away are visible. This level of oversight has improved safety, accountability, and efficiency across the board.

The district is also rolling out Viewfinder, which allows school secretaries to instantly access bus assignments for students—no more radio calls or delays. “We’re in a different world now,” Watkins said. Now school officials can assist those elementary students about what bus to get on.

Tripfinder is another tool Watkins is excited about. Previously, the district used a separate system for field trip scheduling, but Tripfinder will allow drivers to log mileage and time directly, automatically generating invoices and sending them to payroll. It’s a seamless process that saves time and reduces paperwork.

Watkins also championed Stopfinder, a parent app that provides real-time bus tracking. “It was all me,” he said. “I want parents to have every bit of knowledge they can have. Plus, they won’t be calling me asking where the bus is.”

It’s a game-changer.

The impact of Transfinder on Stewart County Schools goes beyond savings. It’s about preparing the district for the future, improving safety, and serving the community more effectively. Watkins, who has served the district for 38 years, sees Transfinder as a legacy investment.

Watkins is sold on Transfinder.

“It’s been exactly what they told me it would be,” he said.

In a place where relationships matter and every dollar counts, Transfinder has proven to be more than just software—it’s a partner in progress.

To learn more about Transfinder’s award-winning solutions, call 800-373-3609, email solutions@transfinder.com or visit transfinder.com.

The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Students from Rochester City School District and the community were provided brand-new coats as a result of a new partnership between Monroe School Transportation, its sister brand, Durham School Services, and Operation Warm. Operation Warm is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing warmth, confidence, and hope for children in need by manufacturing brand-new, high-quality coats for them.

Just in time for the winter season, over 800 new, high-quality coats were donated to students of Rochester City School District at the school district’s Operation Warm event. The event was held on November 4, 2025, at the school district’s Dr. Freddie Thomas Learning Center, where students were given the opportunity to personally choose their own winter coats based on their own color preference. During the coat selection process, each student was guided and provided assistance by a volunteer from the school and/or Monroe School Transportation and Durham School Services team to ensure each student chose a coat that fit comfortably and was size appropriate.

“A warm coat is more than just protection from the cold; this ensures our students have the warmth and confidence they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools, Rochester City School District.

“We are very proud and excited to have forged this new partnership with Operation Warm,” said Tim Wertner, CEO, Durham School Services. “This new partnership is especially significant because of how it perfectly aligns with our Company’s value of giving back to our students and communities and directly benefits the well-being of our most precious cargo – our students.”

As student transportation leaders dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves, Monroe School Transportation and its sister brand, Durham School Services, continuously seek out opportunities to support its communities as part of its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program. This new partnership with Operation Warm is of especial significance because it fulfills an important need – a warm coat– that directly relates to a student’s well-being and can impact a student’s ability to attend school and receive a well-deserved education.

About the success of the event, Wertner shared, “We couldn’t have done it without the help of over 38 volunteers, which included those local to New York and those who traveled from all over the country, and, of course, the support from the Operation Warm team and Rochester City School District. With the success of this first event, we plan on holding one every year with a different school district partner so that we can continue to positively impact and support our students’ well-being and education. Thank you again to everyone who provided a helping hand in making this inaugural Operation Warm event such an incredible success.”

About Monroe School Transportation: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Monroe School Transportation has served the Rochester community for over a decade and is a sister brand to Durham School Services. Together with its sister brands, such as Durham School Services, we are dedicated to the safety of our students and People.

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services and its sister brands, such as Monroe School Transportation, 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.

About Rochester City School District
The Rochester City School District (RCSD) serves more than 20,000 students across the City of Rochester. Guided by a mission to cultivate a culture of academic excellence for all and a community of empathy, equity, and accountability that empowers students to succeed beyond graduation, the District’s vision, activating dreams and unlocking potential, drives opportunity. A high-quality education is every child’s civil right, and that principle remains at the heart of everything RCSD does.

About Operation Warm:
Operation Warm is a respected national nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering warmth, confidence, and hope to under-resourced children through basic need programs that connect them to vital community resources. For 26 years, Operation Warm and our esteemed supporters have utilized the powerful gift of brand-new coats and other essential clothing items to empower children and families in need. Together, we are transforming lives and making a lasting impact on communities across the nation. To get involved, visit operationwarm.org.

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CAMPBELL, Calif., – ChargePoint (NYSE: CHPT), a leading provider of EV charging solutions, today announced it has been awarded a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract to provide EV charging solutions to public agencies in the U.S. and Canada. The award represents ChargePoint’s third consecutive agreement with Sourcewell, dating back to 2017.

Through the agreement, entities such as municipalities, transit authorities, and public schools can deploy ChargePoint EV chargers, software, and services through a streamlined procurement process with preferred pricing. ChargePoint secured the Sourcewell contract following a rigorous request for proposal (RFP) process, ensuring compliance with local procurement requirements while delivering exceptional value and service. This agreement enables any public agency access to purchase from ChargePoint using Sourcewell-vetted pricing, streamlining the public purchasing process.

“This latest agreement extends our longstanding relationship with Sourcewell to accelerate and simplify the adoption of EV charging solutions for local governments, schools and other public agencies,” said David Vice, Chief Revenue Officer at ChargePoint. “Over the course of our relationship we’ve enabled hundreds of Sourcewell member agencies go electric, meeting their sustainability and ESG goals.”

Sourcewell, a self-funded governmental organization established in 1978, facilitates a cooperative purchasing program that harnesses the collective purchasing power of more than 50,000 participating agencies. By streamlining procurement with pre-negotiated, competitive pricing contracts, Sourcewell enables government, educational, and nonprofit organizations to secure cost-effective and efficient purchasing solutions.

ChargePoint and the ChargePoint logo are trademarks of ChargePoint, Inc. in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names, or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners.

About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc.
ChargePoint has established itself as the leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging innovation since its inception in 2007, long before EVs became widely available. The company provides comprehensive solutions tailored to the entire EV ecosystem, from the grid to the dashboard of the vehicle. The company serves EV drivers, charging station owners, vehicle manufacturers, and similar types of stakeholders. With a commitment to accessibility and reliability, ChargePoint’s extensive portfolio of software, hardware, and services ensures a seamless charging experience for drivers across North America and Europe. ChargePoint empowers every driver in need of charging access, connecting them to over 1.25 million charging ports worldwide. ChargePoint has facilitated the powering of more than 16 billion electric miles, underscoring its dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and electrifying the future of transportation. For further information, please visit the ChargePoint pressroom or the ChargePoint Investor Relations site. For media inquiries, contact the ChargePoint press office.

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Durham School Services is proud to share that Krystal Tenace, General Manager in Schenectady, New York, was named a Rising Star by School Transportation News (STN) and is featured in the November issue of their magazine. Rising Stars, as defined by STN, are remarkable rising leaders making a difference in the School Bus Transportation industry. This recognition is based on nominations, and Krystal was selected as one of ten Rising Stars from a pool of 60 incredibly qualified nominees.

“When I was notified that I was named a rising star, I was shocked!” said Krystal Tenace, General Manager, Durham School Services. “Being a general manager in student transportation is the most stressful, rewarding career you could possibly have. You stress making sure your team is successful, and when they outshine your expectations, you cheer them on and feel so much pride! I am very grateful for my team and this recognition from my manager, Britt Liotta, and STN.”

Krystal began her career in student transportation as a bus assistant almost twenty years ago, when she was just 19 years old. She credits her mom, who was a bus driver and is currently a manager in the transportation field, for inspiring the start of her student transportation tenure. Since then, with the experience she has built by transitioning to various roles ranging from a bus driver, safety and training supervisor, and to a site supervisor, Krystal was most recently promoted to General Manager in August of this year.

Having held various roles in student transportation with such an expansive career, when asked about a memorable story, Krystal shared, “I cherish the years I spent on the buses as a monitor and a driver. That was the greatest experience. The students were always the best part of the job. Regardless if they were having a good day or bad day, before getting on my bus, I always tried to make sure they were smiling by the time they got off the bus.”

Once Krystal became a general manager, she carried that same sentiment and mindset when interacting with her team and vice versa, stating, “As a manager, I try to have the same effect on the employees, if they’re having a bad day, we crack jokes, tell stories, and try to make the day better. When I am having a bad day, my employees are what pull me through. They ask if they can help, tell “dad jokes”, and just in general, make our workplace the great place that it is each day!”

Britt Liotta, Regional Manager for Durham School Services, and the one who nominated Krystal as a Rising Star, shared, “I have seen Krystal’s growth as a leader and her determination to uplift her team and set them up for success so that they can focus on transporting students to school safely every day. The team has a great working relationship with Krystal, and together, they have built a supportive, positive work culture. Beyond that, Krystal has also helped build a strong relationship with our school district partner and demonstrates an incredible sense of responsibility and ambition in driving her team to positive results and performance. Congrats again, Krystal!”

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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School Transportation News was on-site at the National Association for Pupil Transportation ACTS in Grand Rapids, Michigan Oct. 31 – Nov. 4. Browse photos from the conference and trade show, including the induction of new board members, elected officials, Hall of Fame members, annual awards and industry sessions.

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Related: Robinson Named Sole 2025 Inductee into NAPT Hall of Fame
Related: NAPT Announces Election Winners Ahead of Annual Conference
Related: NAPT Announces More Annual Award Winners for 2025

The post Gallery: NAPT ACTS 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

Discover the new STN Transportation Director of the Year featured on our November issue cover. Other headlines include a NHTSA investigation after a driverless Waymo car illegally passed a stopped school bus and NTSB recommendations on seatbelts following a Texas school bus crash.

Frank Girardot, senior communications director for RIDE, discusses the electric school bus manufacturer’s School Bus Safety Week efforts.

Jennifer Gardella, director of transportation for Rockwall Independent School District in Texas and a 2025 STN Rising Star, discusses her childcare background, improving student relationships, training staff and receiving inspiration from fellow student transporters.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from Ride.

Message from School Radio.

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Images courtesy of Jennifer Gardella. 

Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube.

The post (STN Podcast E281) Catalyst for Change: Electric School Bus Safety, Inspired Texas Rising Star appeared first on School Transportation News.

The official app sponsored by Transfinder gives attendees of the TSD Conference in Dallas-Frisco, Texas, all the event information they need as well as aa dedicated space to make connections.

1. Download the EventScribe App

Search for “Eventscribe” on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Alternatively, scan the QR code, below, with your smart phone and it will automatically direct you to download. 

Install and open the app. Find your event icon in the Upcoming Events (bottom row) or search for TSD Conference.

2. Log in to the App

Once the event is selected, you will be prompted to log in. Enter your email address and password (the same credentials you used to register for the event — password is your Registrant ID).

3. Access the Event Features

After logging in, access event schedules, session details, speaker information, exhibitor lists, and more.

Browse the event information and create a personal schedule by tapping on the star next to presentation titles. If you pre-registered for a session, it will show up as a “Favorite.”

Tips!

Download the app before you go! Wi-Fi connection onsite can affect the functionality of the app.

The four icons at the top of the home screen allow quick access to information on Schedules, Speakers, Exhibitors, and the Activity Feed. Also on the home screen are shortcuts to the Scavenger Hunt, Trade Show Floor Plan, list of Attendees, and Event Information.

Use the Schedule tab to see all the available sessions and select the star button next to your chosen ones to create personalized schedules for the week.

From the app homepage, access lists of Attendees and Trade Show Exhibitors. Send connection requests to other attendees and mark the star next to vendors you connect with to keep the conversations flowing even after the conference.

Share your thoughts! After each session, complete a three-question survey to provide feedback. Near the end of the conference, an overall evaluation will be available for your general impressions. Your input is greatly appreciated!

The Touchdown Challenge Scavenger Hunt starts on Sunday, Nov. 11, the day of the Trade Show. Visit vendor booths to scan QR codes and unlock questions to answer. The more Trade Show booths you visit and correct answers you give, the faster you climb the leaderboard toward some end zone prizes!

Also featured is the Ride & Win Scavenger Hunt, which takes place during Friday evening’s Safety & Technology Product Demonstration/Special Needs Ride & Drive. Complete all sponsor demos and scan QR codes on the app to earn a spin at the prize wheel.

Rules and details for both scavenger hunts are available on the app under the Information button.

We’re excited to introduce Snapsight, an AI-powered tool available during select sessions at this year’s TSD Conference. Snapsight provides live text, transcription and translation during presentations. It also generates AI key takeaways and summaries so attendees can easily review important points after each session. In addition, Snapsight’s Ideal Cloud feature visually maps out key ideas and themes discussed, offering an engaging way to reflect on the content.

As always, stay tuned at stnonline.com and social media channels for extensive conference and trade show coverage, including articles, photo galleries, videos and more. Plus, visit tsdconference.com for more conference information, including the conference program.

Related: TSD Conference Session to Focus on Mental Health Supports
Related: TSD Keynote to Outline Legal Considerations When Transporting Students with Disabilities
Related: TSD Conference to Tackle Critical Challenges in Transporting Students with Disabilities
Related: Foundations of Transporting Students with Special Needs Returns to TSD Conference

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Leadership is one of those words that has been defined, debated and dissected in every business book, training session and coffee shop conversation. At its core, leadership is about the ability to influence others toward achieving a common goal.

But here’s something worth noting: The word leader contains the word lead. Lead means “first,” “ahead,” “top,” and yes, “followed.” That last one, followed, is important. John Maxwell puts it bluntly: “If you are leading and no one is following, then you are not actually leading; you are simply taking a walk.”

That quote captures the essence of leadership, especially in pupil transportation. It is not just about the title, the office or the years of experience. It is about whether your people are choosing to follow you. Because leadership, at its heart, is influence. And in our line of work, that influence can inspire the best in our teams or bring out the worst.

Whether we realize it or not, we set the tone. How we show up directly impacts how our drivers, aides, mechanics, dispatchers, and office staff show up for each other and for the students we serve.

Leading vs. Managing: A Crucial Difference
One of the most common misconceptions is that leadership and management are the same thing. They are related, but they are not interchangeable. Leaders lead people. They inspire, influence and set the vision. Leadership is inherently strategic. It is about where we are going and why. Managers manage things: Tasks, schedules, projects and resources. Management is tactical. It is about how we are going to get there and making sure the wheels, literally and figuratively, keep turning.

The best leaders in transportation know when to step into tactical operations. Yes, sometimes you have to jump in and route a bus or cover a driver shortage. But their greatest value comes from thinking ahead,
setting direction and enabling their teams to succeed without needing constant oversight.

The Influence Factor
Here is the thing: People are influenced far more by what you do than what you say. They are also quick to notice when what you do and what you say do not match up. If you talk about safety but routinely cut corners to make a deadline, your team will notice. If you preach about work-life balance but send late-night emails that demand answers by morning, they will notice that, too.

Influence is built or broken in the everyday moments— how you handle stress, how you treat mistakes and how you acknowledge hard work. In transportation, this influence extends beyond your team to the students and families who depend on you.

Leadership’s Scorecard
One of the best measures of a leader’s effectiveness is not found in a spreadsheet. It is reflected in the success and morale of their team.
If your operation runs smoothly even when you are out of the office, you have built a strong leadership culture. If your people step up for each other during a tough week, you have fostered trust and collaboration. And if your drivers speak about the department with pride when they are in the community, you have influenced not just their work, but their identity.

The Follower-Centric Perspective
When we think about leadership, we often focus on our own style—servant leadership, transformational leadership, authentic leadership, and so on. But here’s a shift worth considering: What if, instead of starting with our leadership style, we started with our followers’ readiness?

We are living in a moment where our workforce spans multiple generations: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, each bringing different values, expectations and communication preferences. If we want to recruit and retain people who will show up every day for our students, we cannot just lead the way we have always led. We need to adapt.

Assessing Follower Readiness
Follower readiness is a simple yet powerful concept. It is about understanding whether an employee is willing or unwilling and able or unable.

If they are able and willing, these employees thrive with autonomy. Give them space, recognition and opportunities to grow. If they are able but unwilling, you may need to dig into motivation. Sometimes it is a mismatch between the person and the role, and sometimes it is burnout. If they are unable but willing, they have the heart but need the skills. This is where training, mentoring and hands-on coaching make the difference. If they are unable and unwilling, this is the trickiest group and often the source of HR headaches. Firm expectations, clear accountability and consistent follow-up are key.

Why This Matters for Recruitment and Retention
In transportation, turnover is not just a staffing inconvenience. It impacts safety, reliability and trust. By leading according to follower readiness, you increase job satisfaction because people feel seen and supported. You reduce costly turnover because happy employees often bring in their friends and family. You also build a reputation as a workplace where people want to stay. It is a leadership approach that is both strategic and practical, and it works across generations, backgrounds and personality types.

Less Stress, Greater Impact
When leaders adopt a follower-centric approach, understanding ability and willingness, and adapting style accordingly, they lead with greater impact and less stress. It takes the guesswork out of daily interactions. It
creates a culture of fairness and consistency. And it garners respect from those watching, whether they are new hires, veteran drivers, or even the students on the bus.

In the end, leadership in pupil transportation is about far more than filling routes and managing schedules. It is about influence; how we show up, how we adapt and how we inspire others to not just follow, but to join us in moving the mission forward. Because if no one is following, you are not leading. You are just out there taking a walk.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the October 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

Related: Giving Birth to Proper Leadership
Related: Leadership Starts From the Top Down
Related: (STN Podcast E277) Make the System Better: Safety Leadership Training & D.C. Insider on Disability Supports
Related: The School Bus Safety Company Unveils New Leadership Training Course to Elevate Safety Leadership

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