Christopher Faust said, “Do what you can,” The words Christopher Faust lives by everyday are, “Do what you can.” He started his career in transportation through the public transit industry with the City of Sheboygan, Shoreline Metro. He explained that Sheboygan Area School District has parented with the Shoreline Metro since 2018 to provide free transportation for all students and staff, and the transit agency transports many students who are not eligible for yellow bus transportation.

Faust noted that he started as a transit coordinator with Shoreline Metro before accepting the transportation supervisor position with the Sheboygan Area School District in June of 2022. Two years later, his title was changed to coordinator of transportation.

“Chris is a highly dedicated, driven and success-oriented individual,” Derek Muench, director of transit and parking for the City of Sheboygan, wrote in his nomination. “He genuinely cares for students, families and customers. He is focused on making services more reliable, safer and easier to use. He has demonstrated this during his tenure with SASD and will continue to demonstrate and progress this mission in the years ahead. He is definitely a superstar and rising star and deserves the recognition.”

Muench added that Faust remains a part-time transit coordinator for Shoreline Metro. “He dispatches and coordinates transit services, including service for students utilizing public transit,” he continued. “Chris is an instrumental link between the Sheboygan Area School District and Shoreline Metro, which has an agreement to provide free student and staff transportation on the public transit system.”

Faust said his day-to-day goal during the school year is to be an engaged partner between their school bus contractor Prigge School Bus Service (a contract that’s been in place since 1970), the schools, administration and parents, while ensuring a seamless transportation experience. He added that his day consists of following up on student behaviors on the bus and patterning with principals when incidents arise.

Each year, School Transportation News chooses 10 Rising Stars based on nominations submitted by school districts and companies around the industry. These individuals have shown exemplary commitment and dedication in the student transportation industry and continue to demonstrate innovation in their roles. This year’s Rising Stars are featured in the November magazine issue.

One of those principals, Kathryn McKillip, nominated him for the award. “Christopher has been an invaluable member of our team over the past year at Sheboygan Area School District,” she wrote. “Christopher has played a crucial role in reshaping student transportation within our district and has significantly improved our relations with our contractor and families.”

She noted that during challenging times with the school bus driver shortage and long bus ride times, Faust’s “dedication and innovative thinking have been instrumental in enhancing the technology aspect of student transportation,” she continued.

Taking on Technology

Faust said when he first came to Sheboygan Area School District, school buses were equipped with little technology. He said cameras were installed for the time in 2017, but by 2022 it was clear that the systems were outdated.

“Technology changes were needed and that was clearly defined as a goal for transportation,” Faust said. “We felt that it was critical to take advantage of some of these technology solutions for safety, efficiency, and a better driver experience.”

The first change, he said, was to implement GPS on all buses to be able to know where buses were and when they would arrive at their destination. “Within weeks of that being implemented we realized what [a] game changer that was for us and our contractor,” he said. “To go back and confirm that the drivers were making their stops and waited for students that were not present changed the conversation when calls and emails would come in saying that the bus never came.”

He said that being able to validate those instances, that drivers were doing their job, alleviated the push back from drivers on the GPS systems. As they, too, saw the value in the technology.

After implementing GPS, Faust said the district launched parent app Stopfinder through their routing software, Transfinder. “Stopfinder has been an amazing resource for our parents and is another great product that Transfinder offers,” he said.

Zach Moren, sales engineer at Transfinder who submitted a Rising Star nomination, said Faust is always dedicated in finding ways to improve student transportation and safety.

The district’s latest tech adoption has been school bus Wi-Fi. He said Sheboygan Area School District applied for and received the first round of E-Rate funding for school bus Wi-Fi hotpots. Installation took place in August and service went live at the first day of school.

“Over the past year, Mr. Faust has positively restructured the district’s student transportation while improving the relationship with our contractor,” Clarissa Ramos, principal and mentorship coordinator at the district wrote in her nomination of Faust. “I have witnessed better communication and effective partnerships with principals and administration. Technology-wise GPS has been added on all buses, a parent app with live bus tracking. The SASD application for the FCC E-Rate Bus WI-FI was approved. … This is a huge win for our district the goal is to have reduced unwanted behaviors on the bus.”

Next for technology, Faust said the district is installing driver tablets with Transfinder’s Wayfinder, with the first one going live in October. “I’m very excited about that! Lastly next summer we will be upgrading our camera system on all bus to enhance safety and security,” he added. “We are looking at a camera that [we] will be able to view live and has a wide angle lens that we are able to see into the seats on the bus.”

City of Sheboygan’s Muench said Faust is focused on addressing the school bus driver shortage by implementing strategies that make the job more efficient and safer for drivers. “He is hopeful these changes as well as more forthcoming will lead to reliable staffing, more accountability by students and safer operations,” he wrote. “He is also focused on the parent experience giving them the opportunity to interact with school bus service and trust transportation is safe and reliable.”

Principal McKillip added that his technology implementations have not only transformed the school bus into an extension of the classroom but hold the promise of reducing behavioral issues which will create a more conducive learning environment.

“Christoper is so dedicated to our students, he will drive routes on top of all his other job duties, just to ensure they are able to get to school and engage in learning,” she wrote.

Faust confirmed that he drives part-time for their contractor. Like most, Faust said his ongoing challenge has been navigating the school bus driver shortage. “We simply don’t have enough drivers to cover all routes and get our students to and from school within the time frames we would like,” he said, adding they have tired advertising on social media, via direct mailings, billboards, the school district newsletter and even incentivizing coaches to obtain their CDL’s.

Going Forward

Faust said his favorite part of his job is knowing that he’s contributing to student success. “Making sure by what I am doing that they are getting to and from safely, that is the most important to me,” he said.

He noted that at some point in his professional career, he would like to become a director of transportation for a district that runs their own buses. “The goals I have within my current role are to keep incorporating technology into transportation, as well as using it to improve processes and procedures,” he said. “Five years from now I want the Sheboygan Area School District to be known with[in] the state of Wisconsin as a leader with technology on our buses.”

He noted that while the profession is difficult and has many challenges, it’s rewarding. “I wish more people could experience it in one [way] or another,” he said. “When I get the opportunity to be behind the wheel of a bus, it’s like everything I do comes full circle, and I appreciate what drivers do day in and day out so much more.”

Outside of work, Faust said he spends time with his two boys, 5 and 8, both who have special needs. He also has a 10-month-old daughter.

Related: Texas Student Transporter Utilizes Technology to Improve Operations
Related: Missouri Director of Transportation Furthers Safety and Sustainability
Related: Washington Law Provides Contracted Bus Drivers Same Benefits as District Employees

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The North American Catholic Educational Programming Foundation (NACEPF) and its affiliate, Mobile Beacon, are voicing strong support for a petition filed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and other advocacy groups that calls for expanded eligibility within the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) E-Rate program.

This petition seeks to extend the program’s benefits beyond Wi-Fi hotspots such as on school buses to include other devices that can provide off-campus connectivity, a critical component the group says can address the nation’s persistent digital divide.

E-Rate, established under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, provides discounted telecommunications services to eligible schools and libraries, particularly those in rural or economically disadvantaged areas. While the program has evolved to meet the growing technological needs of these institutions, advocates argue that the current restrictions limit its full potential. Wi-Fi hotspots, though beneficial, are not always the most practical solution, especially in areas with poor mobile broadband coverage.

The significance of school bus Wi-Fi, discussed at length during recent STN EXPO conferences, highlights the growing demand for flexible connectivity solutions. School districts nationwide are seeing how Wi-Fi on buses can extend learning beyond the classroom, providing students with internet access during their commutes and in locations where home internet may not be accessible. This solution offers a unique approach to narrowing the homework gap, especially for students in remote or economically disadvantaged areas. If the LAUSD petition is approved, expanded E-Rate eligibility could help fund these initiatives, making internet-equipped buses a more viable option for schools struggling with connectivity gaps.

Katherine Primeau, vice president of NACEPF and executive director of Mobile Beacon, emphasized the need for flexibility in how E-Rate funding is used.

“Mobile hotspots are a great tool but not the only answer. We need to look at other options, like satellite or fixed wireless solutions, which could be more effective in underserved regions,” she explained. “Giving schools and libraries the ability to choose devices that best suit their needs will stretch program funds further and reach more students.”

The LAUSD petition aligns closely with Mobile Beacon’s mission to close the “homework gap”—the disparity between students with internet access at home and those without that drove FCC’s rationale for extending E-Rate eligibility to school bus Wi-Fi. Mobile Beacon, which pioneered the library hotspot lending model in 2012, has worked with more than 1,870 libraries across the U.S. to provide students and families with reliable off-premises connectivity. The organization’s Connect for Success grant program has donated over 2,500 hotspots and laptops to schools specifically to address this issue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mobile Beacon’s broadband services helped students access over 2 million gigabytes of data to continue their education remotely, underscoring the importance of flexible, device-agnostic solutions.

As noted at the STN EXPO East in June and STN EXPO West in July, district leaders and IT professionals frequently face challenges navigating E-Rate funding for digital tools that extend connectivity. With limited options under the current E-Rate framework, many districts are limited to Wi-Fi hotspots, a solution that doesn’t always address broader connectivity needs. Additional devices, such as tablets with built-in connectivity, could offer more seamless and adaptable solutions, particularly in areas where traditional hotspots might struggle with coverage.

Despite these advancements, advocates still face challenges in expanding device eligibility within the E-Rate program.

“One of the biggest hurdles has been convincing policymakers that device-agnostic funding is essential,” Primeau noted. “The FCC’s focus on Wi-Fi hotspots is too narrow. Schools shouldn’t be forced into buying new hotspots when they could simply activate devices they already have with a SIM card. This would free up much-needed funds for other critical resources.”

Related: Webinar Gives Tips for Simplifying School Bus Wi-Fi E-Rate Process
Related: Benefits of School Bus Wi-Fi Discussed at STN EXPO
Related: On the Move and Online: Beebe Students Score Big with Premier’s Bus Wi-Fi Solution

The push to broaden E-Rate eligibility has garnered widespread support from educational and advocacy groups. Organizations such as the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, and Common Sense Media have joined the initiative. Expanding the program to include a broader range of devices would empower schools and libraries to provide better digital access, especially in underserved regions. Advocates argue that by extending eligibility to devices beyond Wi-Fi hotspots, the FCC could make a substantial impact in bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all students have equitable opportunities to learn, regardless of their geographic location or economic resources.

Primeau further commented on the need for “on-the-ground” perspectives from stakeholders who have seen firsthand the benefits of expanded digital access through hotspots or other devices.

“It’s important for the FCC to hear from educators, parents, and communities directly affected by the homework gap,” she added, “Their experiences with student connectivity, especially during remote learning, highlight the potential impact of an expanded E-Rate program. Continued input from these stakeholders could be invaluable in advocating for greater device flexibility.”

As the FCC reviews petitions like LAUSD’s, advocates Primeau say they hope that a broadened E-Rate program will empower schools and libraries to provide comprehensive digital access for students in even the most remote areas of the country.

“By adapting E-Rate to support a wider range of devices, the FCC has the chance to address the fundamental inequalities in educational access that the digital divide represents,” Primeau emphasized. “We’re optimistic that this shift would bring us one step closer to universal, equitable learning opportunities.”

The post Nonprofit Pushes FCC for Broader E-Rate Expansion to Tackle Homework Gap appeared first on School Transportation News.

A panel of experts shared the benefits of Wi-Fi on school buses and walked student transporters through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) E-rate funding application process.

The FCC says its E-Rate program “makes telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and libraries.” Ben Moebes, director of public sector sales for Thursday’s webinar sponsor Ericsson Enterprise Wireless, noted that this was the first time school bus Wi-Fi was included in the federal program to discount the cost of installing internet connectivity for schools and libraries.

He reviewed benefits of having Wi-Fi on school buses, including access to internet for homework during routes, which is beneficial for students with long commutes, field trips and athletic events. It also supports increased access for underserved students and improved digital equity.

“The FCC has been very focused on closing the homework gap,” he noted. “[The bus ride] may be the only time [students] have outside of school to do that.”

How does the E-Rate program work?

 

“An eligible school or library (see eligibility definitions) identifies goods or services it needs and submits a request for competitive bids to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC posts these requests on its website for vendors to bid on. After reviewing the vendors’ bids, the school or library selects the most cost-effective eligible products and services using price as the primary factor. It then applies to USAC for approval for the desired purchases.

 

“Next, USAC issues funding commitments to eligible applicants. When a vendor provides the selected services, either the vendor or the applicant submits requests to USAC for reimbursement of the approved discounts.

 

“The bid request and competitive bidding processes must comply with FCC rules and also state and local procurement requirements.“

 

Source: FCC.gov

Jim Kerr, principal E-rate consultant with KB & Associates, reviewed the updated and streamlined E-rate application process and timeline. It begins with submitting bids in July through February, after which there is a short window in January through March to fill out and file Form 471. Technology installation and service start is from April through August and finally, funding is distributed from July to September.

He advised a coverage map be included along with the application. If a district makes edits, like updating the number of bus Wi-Fi units needed, it restarts the application process.

“The earlier you apply, the further along in the line you are to get your application reviewed, and the sooner you get your application funded,” he stated.

Once a district applies and selects a partner, he said, it is easier to complete the annual application process. He encouraged districts to be cognizant of timelines so that they can be reimbursed even if they add additional bus Wi-Fi units after receiving the initial award.

Director of Strategy Gene Ballard noted that school bus Wi-Fi solutions provider Kajeet started in education and “built a solution based on what educators needed.” It has over 2,500 customers, the majority in the K-12 space, and over 6 million internet connections across 173 countries.

He confirmed that compatibility with multiple carriers is important, and Kajeet utilizes an e-SIM card, which automatically selects the best connection. Its Sentinel portal allows transportation and district staff to block websites, monitor the student devices connected and what they are being used for, and access easy data reporting. The ruggedized Kajeet hardware can be permanently installed or portable.

“This is something our students need and can benefit from,” Moebes said. He shared that with onboard Wi-Fi, school districts are reporting student behavior is improved and school bus drivers are happier and stay at their jobs longer, which are both pain points often cited by student transporters.

Ballard agreed that having students engaged and quiet allows drivers to better focus on road safety. It further prevents the time-consuming process of student discipline.

Related: FCC Approves Funding of School Wi-Fi in E-Rate Program
Related: Webinar Covers E-Rate 101 for School Bus Wi-Fi
Related: Benefits of School Bus Wi-Fi Discussed at STN EXPO
Related: Webinar Addresses School Bus Wi-Fi Myths, E-Rate Funding
Related: Webinar Shares School Bus Wi-Fi Implementation Story, Tips
Related: (STN Podcast E192) Extension of the Classroom: New Federal Funds for School Bus Wi-Fi

STN Publisher Tony Corpin, who hosted the webinar, noted that school bus connectivity can be beneficial for students with special needs. The panelists confirmed that E-Rate funding excludes vans but includes Type A buses.

Moebes suggested getting a small number of buses equipped with Wi-Fi to test service and experience the benefits first-hand.

Understanding the process and having a good partner is what simplifies the endeavor so students and transportation staff both benefit, he explained.

“Let’s build something that’s realistic and sustainable and helps the kids as well as the transportation directors and drivers,” he encouraged.

“You don’t have to become an expert. We are here to help you,” Ballard said of Kajeet.

Watch the webinar on demand.

The post Webinar Gives Tips for Simplifying School Bus Wi-Fi E-Rate Process appeared first on School Transportation News.

Are you thinking of implementing Wi-Fi on your school buses for student homework use? Even considering its crucial impact, E-Rate can be a major headache for school districts. Join Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions and Kajeet to explore how your location affects your approach to connectivity and infrastructure planning.

Learn:

• What are the benefits of E-Rate
• What to consider when planning a new implementation in rural or urban districts
• How to effectively navigate the NEW E-Rate application process
• What strategies are needed to make informed decisions and optimize your connectivity resources

Brought to you by Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions

Register Below:

Session Speakers:

Ben Moebes
Director of Public Sector Sales
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless

Ben Moebes currently leads a sales team that brings 5G connectivity to the Public Sector at Ericsson. He is an award-winning leader with a track record of successes in leading the continued growth of IT sales organizations such as Versa, Aerohive and Ruckus Networks. His background includes breaking new ground in global markets resulting in record breaking revenue metrics and highly profitable new partnerships with major organizations.

Jim Kerr
Principal E-rate Consultant
KB & Associates

Jim Kerr’s technology and marketing experience spans more than 40 years. His skills and capabilities include project management in the area of voice/data communications systems design, selection, and implementation integration, as well as facilities and wiring design, systems integration, and financial analysis. He has placed particular emphasis over the last 25 years on the FCC’s E-rate program and the K-12 education vertical. Since 2009 Kerr has been the Principal Consultant/Owner of KB & Assoc. KB & Assoc. provides E-Rate marketing and consulting services as well as access to its E-Rate SaaS ErateProfitWorks, to Service Providers and Manufacturers. His clients were awarded over $300,000,000 in E-Rate applications in 2023.

Gene Ballard
Director of Strategy
Kajeet

In his role, Ballard is responsible for developing and executing Kajeet’s market-based strategies working in conjunction with Kajeet’s sales, technical, finance and leadership teams. Ballard has over 30 years of experience in Technology Leadership and Strategy, including the last 7+ years with Kajeet, at which time he was instrumental in building Kajeet’s SmartBus Solution as well as other key initiatives including Kajeet’s current E-Rate efforts.

The post (Free Webinar) Simplifying the E-Rate Process for School Bus Wi-Fi appeared first on School Transportation News.

When integrating new technology into one’s fleet of school transportation vehicles, it’s important to get the thoughts and perspective of the district’s information technology department, as transportation directors recently shared.

For instance, Ron Johnson said the transportation department for Indian Prairie School District #204 in Illinois engages IT when resources or software need to be installed in a computer. But Johnson, the district’s director of support operations, noted that transportation doesn’t necessarily involve IT heavily in the vendor selection process, though it does seek input.

When Indian Prairie was implementing Tyler Drive tablets, he said transportation involved IT because there were resources that transportation needed on the server regarding data.

“We wanted to make sure that our current setup was supportive of the new data coming in,” Johnson said, adding that prior to the tablets transportation staff were only getting about 78 percent of GPS data and wanted to make sure the server could handle the additional 30 percent. “They assist us in implementation pitfalls.”

Because its camera system is not cloud-based, he said the district’s tech team will be involved in installing the software for the live viewing and remote downloading. “They’ll be involved with that piece, and they know what’s coming but they’re not a decision maker,” Johnson explained.

He added that it’s important, however, to work with one’s technology department because they’re supporting and tracking a lot of the data processing.

However, he noted that the need to implement new resources, like a new server or additional bandwidth training, is coordinated directly with the vendors.

Related: Read more about school transportation technology “superusers” in the September edition of School Transportation News magazine.

Meanwhile, Trace Johnson, unrelated to Ron, is the director of student routing and technologies for Palmer Bus Services. He noted that when looking into implementing GPS and routing software, the company sought systems that had an existing partnership, like Zonar and Transfinder. This, he said, eliminated having to rope in the IT department to integrate the two systems.

“Since those two companies already do that for us, that was just a huge selling point in partnering with both,” he said, adding that he reaches out to the vendor support teams to assist with any issues that arise.

Palmer’s Johnson noted that IT gets involved when there’s an issue with the computers or servers and they need to pull the Transfinder or Zonar data. He added the tech department is also works the bus camera systems, if they’re not recording properly, for example.

He noted that technology adoption conversations take place between Johnson, the company’s CEO Jenna Fromm, CFO Chris Champlin and COO Shane Johnson (Trace’s father), as well as the head fleet mechanic, when the system deals with the maintenance of vehicles.

For Fort Mills School District in South Carolina, Transportation Specialist Matthew Purvis said building a coalition by partnering with the school board, district representatives, safety departments, and IT department enhances safety in transportation.

“Our IT department is critical to meeting our network security requirements to keep our students and drivers safe and to ensure that our systems are compatible, reliable, and work when we need them,” Purvis said.

School bus contractor Krapf Bus and its operations in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey handle things differently. Vendor partner Eagle Wireless, a regional distributor of Geotab solutions, acts as the company’s on-board technology consulting and management service.

“It’s a nice value-added, it’s actually fantastic,” said Dan Jauch, VP of operations for Krapf Bus. “If I need a timecard report generated to verify payroll, I don’t need an in-house person to do it. All I do is call up Eagle Wireless, tell them what I need, they create the report for us and provide it. They are not only a dealer, but they’re like a sales and support service. It eliminates the need for us to have like a true full-time dedicated resource to manage all the on-board technology. When I say onboard technology, I mean, all the IT equipment that’s on the actual vehicles.”

Related: STN EXPO Panel Discusses Trends in School Bus Safety Technology
Related: Navigating the School Bus Data Maze with Real-Time Intelligence
Related: Transfinder Scores Hat Trick with STN EXPO Innovation Choice Awards
Related: Benefits of School Bus Wi-Fi Discussed at STN EXPO
Related: Bus Technology Summit Launches at STN EXPO Indy with Product Demos

Jauch added that Krapf Bus has a personal relationship with Eagle Wireless, and it’s not just a “transactional experience.” “If we need something, they act as an advisor in terms of all of our onboard technology,” he continued.

He noted that it eliminates him having to search the Geotab Marketplace for solutions. Instead, he can explain the situation to Eagle Wireless, and its representatives can provide solutions that would fit the ask.

“They essentially went and found that solution for us and did all the integration and set it up,” Jauch explained. “So, from our standpoint, it works great for us because we would need a full-time resource to do all that, where now we get all that benefit by using them as our dealer. They’re giving us full not only sales, but full service.”

Jauch said full support from Eagle Wireless includes installations, repairs, guidance, trouble shooting, service, reporting, finding different solutions, and partnering with new solutions. He added that Krapf does have its own installation crew.

Josh Blackmun, president of Eagle Wireless, added that each support approach includes a dedicated care rep that provides one-on-one access to training, rules/report customization, accident reconstruction, device troubleshooting and more. He added that the same Eagle Wireless reps for both sales and support have worked with Krapf since 2011, when the companies’ partnership began.

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