We discuss the postponement of the New York state electric mandate, feedback on the annual NASDPTS illegal passing survey, the impact of Daylight Savings Time conversations on students, and accolades for former STN Transportation Director of the Year Teresa Fleming of the School District of Philadelphia at Zum’s Mobility Summit.

See how mentorship and teamwork star in the noteworthy career of Sandy Dillman, a longtime school transportation director and certified driver trainer who was named the 2026 Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence winner at STN EXPO West last month.

Read more about leadership.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

Message from EverDriven. 

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The post (STN Podcast E318) Trying to Make A Difference: 40 Years of Service & Leadership Honored appeared first on School Transportation News.

School bus rooftop snow and ice removal is about more than legal compliance, it’s about keeping students, drivers and the public safe while keeping transportation operations running on schedule.

Many school transportation departments recognize the benefits of automated rooftop snow removal. The challenge is justifying the investment.

Between labor costs, overtime, delayed routes, staffing shortages, employee safety and equipment utilization, the true cost of manual snow removal isn’t always easy to quantify.

In this webinar, Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite experts and a transportation customer break down the operational and financial costs of manual rooftop snow and ice removal and show you how to evaluate the return on investment of automation.

You’ll leave with practical ROI tools, real-world insights and the data you need to build a stronger business case for automated rooftop snow removal within your organization.

Brought to you by Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite

REGISTER BELOW:

Featured Transportation Director:

Daniel Boyea
Assistant Director of Transportation
Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (RCS) Central School District, New York

A 25-year industry veteran, Daniel oversees operation and maintenance of a 53-bus fleet with a dedicated team of 60 transportation professionals. In previous roles, he maintained a fleet of 217 school buses and managed a team of 13 mechanics. Daniel has served as President of the Capital Chapter of the New York Head Mechanics Association for the past six years, training mechanics across the region. He’s a certified School Bus Driver Instructor and a 19-A Certified Examiner. Daniel has been featured twice in School Transportation News magazine, including as their Garage Star in August 2021.

More Speakers:

Fin Livingston
Director of Product Management for Exterior Solutions
Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite

Fin’s deep expertise in rooftop snow removal automation, fleet safety and operational productivity has helped customers for more than 30 years. He leads Rite-Hite’s development of solutions designed to improve safety and performance in transportation, logistics, and fleet and school bus operations. Fin entrusted his four children to school bus operators for the entirety of their education, giving him a profound personal appreciation for safe, reliable student transportation.

Mike Shelton
Business Development Manager for Exterior Solutions
Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite

Mike helps transportation and fleet operators get the most out of their equipment. With his passion for customer success and automated solutions, he collaborates with industry experts to take your snow removal capabilities further. Mike’s experience in industrial safety gives him opportunities to partner with customers to identify equipment, technology and data solutions to improve safety, productivity and operational efficiency.

Jackie Germer
Inside Sales Representative
Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite

Jackie helps school bus and truck fleet operators across North America improve winter safety, productivity and operational efficiency. For the past decade, she’s been a driving force in fostering the Scraper Systems customer network, working directly with transportation directors, fleet managers, contractors and operators to get their insights and advocate for solutions to their challenges. Jackie’s passion is born of the practical, on-the-ground considerations of Scraper Systems customers to improve safety, reduce labor demands and maintain winter readiness.

The post (Free Webinar) School Bus Rooftop Snow Removal: ROI Tools to Help Decide Which Method is Right for You appeared first on School Transportation News.

We analyze the conversations at the National School Transportation Association’s annual convention, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study on autonomous vehicle safety, and how student transporters can respond to the evolving trends of AI and new technology.

Cameron Wood, the lead electric vehicle performance analyst for school bus contractor Student Transportation of America, shares how his technical background led him to brainstorm an EV charging solution and accept the Innovator of the Year award at STN EXPO West this month.

Read more about technology.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

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Message from IC Bus. 

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The post (STN Podcast E317) Industry Innovation: 26-Year-Old Contractor Star & Evolving School Bus Tech appeared first on School Transportation News.

Tony, Ryan and Taylor go over the highlights from STN EXPO West last week which focused on not only skills, technology and training but also teambuilding, workplace culture and making emotional connections.

Highlights included focused inspection and special needs trainings, a musical keynote, Great Gatsby and Alice in Wonderland themed networking events, multiple awards given, a Mr. Bus Driver appearance, a military leadership panel, the Green Bus Summit and Bus Technology Summit, an AI track, and the Pete & Dick Show.

Read more STN EXPO West coverage.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

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Message from IC Bus. 

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The post (STN Podcast E316) Recap STN EXPO West: Harmonicas, Great Gatsby & Transportation Teambuilding appeared first on School Transportation News.

Nicole Wheeldon, North American general manager of buses for Cummins, and Matt McGinn, senior director of e-mobility sales for Accelera by Cummins, examine exciting product innovations and meeting customer needs amid school bus energy options, rising costs and tightened budgets.

Enterprise Account Manager Chase Cloyd shares how Netradyne’s AI-driven cameras and technology take a proactive approach to school bus driver coaching, safety around the bus and incident review.

Co-founder Michael Tinter reviews how the universal, easily installed Magnetic Mic radio mounts, which got their start in law enforcement applications, can help reduce school bus driver distractions and equipment damage while increasing student safety.

Multiple industry studies reveal that driver shortages and student behavior are top concerns for student transporters. Sam Freshner, dean of transportation for North Clackamas School District in Oregon, explains how a unique pilot program supports effective student discipline and enhances school bus driver retention.

Read more STN EXPO West coverage.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

Message from IC Bus. 

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The post (STN Podcast E315) Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 2: Oregon District Tackles Driver Shortages, Student Behavior appeared first on School Transportation News.

Communications came in #3 on procurement lists created by Transportation Director Summit attendees at STN EXPO West. Business Development Manager David Weber discusses how School Radio supports reliable communication for the professionals transporting precious cargo on school buses.

Joel Stutheit, former transportation director who now serves as senior manager of Autogas business development for the Propane Education & Research Council, shares why propane makes financial and operational sense for school districts, such as Oregon’s Beaverton School District which has seen great success with the fuel.

Matt Reich, who oversees growth and strategic partnerships for school bus stop-arm enforcement system provider Verra Mobility, speaks on the illegal passing epidemic, safety conversions at the Transportation Director Summit, and success in districts like Polk County Public Schools in Florida.

Wa-Nee Community Schools in Indiana just won the Top Transportation Teams award for the third straight time, and Hoover City Schools in Alabama won it for the second straight time. Matt Hostetter, transportation and school safety clerk for Wa-Nee, and Brad Hayn, director of transportation for Hoover City, are joined by John Daniels, vice president of marketing for award sponsor and technology provider Transfinder, to examine their secrets to success.

Read more STN EXPO West coverage.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

Message from IC Bus. 

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The post (STN Podcast E314) Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 1: Hear From Repeat Top Transportation Team Winners appeared first on School Transportation News.

The student transportation driver shortage is not news, and the 2026 data confirms it is still top of mind for fleet managers. 75% of transportation professionals rank driver availability as their top concern heading into fall, holding across every fleet size and operation type.

On July 30, Zonar and School Transportation News bring together a panel of experts for a live look at where the industry stands and how purpose-built technology supports teams running short-staffed. Walk away with data, context and practical steps your operation takes into the 2026-27 school year.

What we’ll cover:

• Why 75% of transportation professionals rank driver availability as their top concern, and what the long-term data says about where this is headed
• Why only 15% of districts say all systems are confirmed for fall, and what the preparation gap costs on day one
• How flat budgets buy less in 2026 than they did in 2025, and where the 64% of districts investing in technology are putting their money
• How fleet tech can be an ally in this fight: one unified system, end-to-end safety, proven hardware and everything included at no extra cost
• Practical steps for transportation leaders on where to focus technology investment heading into the 2026-27 school year

Brought to you by Zonar

REGISTER BELOW:

Featured speakers:

Malinda Sandhu
Director, Strategic Accounts
Zonar

Malinda Sandhu leads strategic account relationships at Zonar, working directly with transportation directors to translate operational challenges into technology solutions. With more than 20 years in transportation, she has watched safety technology, automated enforcement and fleet electrification reshape the industry across North America. Her work connects vendors, operators, regulators and industry partners, turning innovation into revenue, partnerships and scalable market growth. She also founded Malinda Sandhu Innovation Partners, advising transportation, mobility and K-12 pupil transportation organizations on strategy, partnerships and growth.

Valeria Rios
Product Marketing Manager
Zonar

With seven years in the industry across support and marketing, Valeria translates product capabilities into real-world value for fleet operators. She built her foundation leading customer support teams through complex technical and operational issues, gaining first-hand insight into how fleets actually use Zonar products day to day. Now she works across product, engineering and regional leadership teams to guide platform initiatives, drive adoption and keep operations aligned.

The post (Free Webinar) Short-Staffed and on Schedule: Tackling the Student Transportation Driver Shortage appeared first on School Transportation News.

Transfinder announced its annual Top Transportation Teams award winners, the industry is concerned about autonomous vehicles ignoring school bus stop arms, and two federal grants provide opportunities for school transportation emergency training.

Veteran transportation leader Jim Schiffler draws on his personal and family experience in the school bus industry to offer thoughtful advice on building stronger teams and healthier workplace cultures, from company values and unions to recruitment and promotions. He’ll share more at STN EXPO West in July.

Read more about leadership.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

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The post (STN Podcast E313) Put People First: School Bus Driver Shortages & Retention Advice appeared first on School Transportation News.

Summer plans, school bus driver fatigue, diesel dominance and a student transportation safety reminder after an elephant killed a mother walking to school with her kids in India.

Director of Transportation Richard Jimenez shares why AI is not something to fear and how he leverages it in his operations at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in Southern California. He will participate in a panel on the topic at STN EXPO West this July.

Read more about technology.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

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

The post (STN Podcast E312) Student Transportation Never Sleeps: AI, Bathroom Breaks & Elephants appeared first on School Transportation News.

Tony and Taylor are back with their recommendations on sessions you must attend at STN EXPO West in July. It’s a packed conference and trade show including an in-demand mentorship program, CEO Tech Talks, military-inspired leadership and the Best of the Dick & Pete Show.

Dr. Michael Hout, professor of psychology and kinesiology at New Mexico State University, joins Ryan to discuss research into illegal school bus passing, effective ways to count incidents, the brains of offenders, the role of technology and AI, and his upcoming STN EXPO West session on the topic.

Read more about STN EXPO.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

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The post (STN Podcast E311) Leadership & Lawbreakers: Top STN EXPO West Picks, Illegal Passing Deep Dive appeared first on School Transportation News.

In this presentation you will learn about the latest innovations in radio communications and dispatching solutions for K-12 education and student transportation.

Whether you are deploying a new radio and GPS location tracking system or looking to add range and capacity to your existing system, this presentation will help you determine the best solutions for your school or district. We will present an overview of current two-way radio systems and standards that use licensed UHF and VHF frequencies, and nationwide 4G/5G/LTE Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC).

Here are some of the valuable take-aways from this complete guide to two-way radio communications webinar:

• How to choose the best radio system for your specific coverage and call capacity requirements
• How to migrate from analog to digital for improved performance
• How to extend the range and expand the capacity of your existing radio system

Brought to you by Hytera

REGISTER BELOW:

Presenters:

Ty Estes
Marketing Director
Hytera

Ty Estes is the Marketing Director for Hytera US, Inc., where he oversees promotion of the company’s radio communication products. Ty has over twenty years of experience in marketing wireless communications and network technologies, and he has chaired committees in telecommunications trade associations and authored several technical papers. Ty has a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University, Long Beach.

Morné Stramrood
Director of Engineering
Hytera

Morné Stramrood is the Sales Engineering Director with Hytera US, Inc., managing a team of Engineers helping customers achieve their communication goals. He has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, with 27+ years of experience in telecom systems engineering and writing standards as part of technical working groups for RTCM, IEC and IALA. Morné has designed and deployed large analog and digital trunked radio networks, both in the US and internationally.

The post (Free Webinar) The Complete Guide to Radio Systems for Education and Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

We examine a school bus shooting in Pennsylvania, how the federal BUILD 250 Act would cut Safe Streets and Roads for All funding, and transportation’s role in student absenteeism.

Speaker, author and branding expert Bruce Turkel shares why it’s important for school bus operations to build a brand in an age of increasing multi-modality, discusses leveraging emotions over facts to reach the right audience, and previews his musical STN EXPO West training in July.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

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

The post (STN Podcast E310) The School Bus Ecosystem: Adapting to Multi-modality & Building a Brand appeared first on School Transportation News.

Summer break is upon us but student transporters are already ramping up for the new school year amid financial challenges. Plus, the June issue of School Transportation News magazine is out, and a camera caught a scary illegal passing incident that injured a student in Florida.

Ryan Hahn, owner of Strategic School Consultants and a former transportation director, sheds light on current school district financial hardships, creative and collaborative operational strategies, and his upcoming sessions on the topic at STN EXPO West this July.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

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

The post (STN Podcast E309) Summer’s Here & So Is a Budget Cliff: Advocating for Transportation Solutions appeared first on School Transportation News.

We analyze what 188 school districts shared in a survey about fuel prices, the impact of world events and the upcoming Clean School Bus Program, timely discussion planned for STN EXPO West in July, and a California school bus driver recognized by the state.

With 10 years’ experience in the industry, Griffin Scott, supervisor of fleet advisory and analytics at RTA: The Fleet Success Company, discusses technology and AI trends, fleet management solutions, the impact of bell times, electrification developments and more.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from Kajeet.

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The post (STN Podcast E308) Past & Future: Fuel Volatility, 10 Years of School Transportation Trends appeared first on School Transportation News.

We discuss fuel cost anxiety and the impact of a proposed federal fuel tax suspension, plus safety lessons to learn from the latest student pedestrian fatality in New York City.

What should you consider before buying a bus? Isaac Linson, CEO of BusesForSale.com, joins us to discuss current school bus market trends and tips for buying or selling buses remotely.

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from Kajeet.

Conversation with BusesForSale.com.

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The post (STN Podcast E307) Buy With Confidence: Fuel Price Frustration, School Bus Buying Tips appeared first on School Transportation News.

Tony and Ryan discuss takeaways from the ACT EXPO this past week in Las Vegas, which took a deep dive into clean fuel choices, autonomous vehicles, robotics in manufacturing, electrification interest and more.

Director of Transportation Anthony Jackson joins us to discuss the operational, cost and health benefits of propane usage at Bibb County School District in Georgia.

Read more about green buses.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from Kajeet.

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The post (STN Podcast E306) Sci-Fi School Bus? ACT EXPO Takeaways on Tech, Robots, Propane & More appeared first on School Transportation News.

More U.S. Environmental Protection Agency news and webinars on funding, plus how clean energy demand intersects with AI’s need for resources. Conversations continue at ACT EXPO this week and the Green Bus Summit at STN EXPO West in July.

“The tragedy will never leave you.” Shocking real-life stories abound in this special extended episode as 91-year-old industry legend and consultant Richard “Dick” Fischer underscores the need for thorough safety leadership and training. He discusses student transportation history, school bus crashes in the news, drunk and criminal drivers, illegal passing and the Danger Zone. See him live at STN EXPO West and email him to sign up for his free safety newsletter.

Read more about safety and access safety resources.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from Kajeet.

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The post (STN Podcast E305) It’s Your Job: Industry Legend Dick Fischer Talks School Bus Safety, Training appeared first on School Transportation News.

When East Aurora School District 131 faced growing transportation challenges, the district turned to an unexpected solution. By partnering with First Student’s First Alt^®, East Aurora transitioned away from using taxis and cabs and implemented a safer, more reliable alternative for students who need it most.

In this webinar, you’ll hear directly from Gladys De Lucio, Director of Transportation at East Aurora, and Leon Fornelli, AGM at First Alt, as they share how the district:

• Built on its existing partnership with First Student to expand into alternative transportation.
• Leveraged FirstView^® and Samsara technology to improve visibility, tracking, and communication for schools and families.
• Met the needs of one of Illinois’ largest Spanish-speaking communities with bilingual dispatchers who provide trusted communication with parents in their native language.

Join us to discover how East Aurora created a student-first transportation model that improved efficiency, strengthened family trust, and set a new standard for safe, consistent rides.

Brought to you by First Student

REGISTER BELOW:

Presenters:

Gladys De Lucio
Director of Transportation
East Aurora School District 131

Gladys De Lucio is the Director of Transportation for East Aurora School District 131, one of Illinois’ largest Spanish-speaking districts. With 21 years of experience in school transportation, she oversees daily operations with a strong focus on safety, bus stop planning, and community engagement. De Lucio leads both traditional bus services and alternative transportation programs, working closely with bilingual dispatch teams to support non-English-speaking families. Her deep commitment to equitable access ensures that every student has reliable transit to and from school. She holds a degree from Robert Morris University–Illinois.

Leon Fornelli
Area General Manager of Alternative Transportation
First Alt^®

Leon Fornelli, MBA, is the Area General Manager of Alternative Transportation at First Alt^®, where he leads inclusive student transportation programs across nine states. A seasoned leader in education logistics, Fornelli develops and scales operations from the ground up, always with safety, equity, and innovation in mind. He’s deeply committed to increasing access, amplifying parent and community engagement, and building systems that meet diverse student needs, including non-traditional routes and support. Fornelli also champions technology integration and workforce development in transportation services.

The post (Free Webinar) From Taxis to Trusted Rides: East Aurora’s Student Transportation Transformation appeared first on School Transportation News.