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FRISCO, Texas – From rising special education demands to shrinking budgets to driver retention issues, school transportation experts at the TSD Conference discussed how stronger partnerships, better data and flexible transportation options can help districts safely serve students with disabilities.
“As many of you know, special needs transportation seems to ask more of districts than any other operation, from IEP coordination, to safety, training, recruiting and policy,” began Alex Muirbrook, regional and strategic sales director for session sponsor EverDriven.
Allen Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, faces declining overall enrollment but increasing numbers of students with transportation as a related service called for on their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), explained Transportation Director Karol Day. She reported transporting approximately 450 students with transportation IEPs daily and said comparing several years of student data helped her avoid budget cuts despite growing service demands.
“We’re all constantly asked to cut budgets, but still keep doing what we’re doing successfully,” she said.
“Accurate data drives decisions that lead to solutions, right?” Muirbrook agreed, explaining that declining enrollment doesn’t necessarily mean declining transportation demand.
Glenna Wright-Gallo, vice president of policy for Everway and former assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, highlighted three federal policy developments: The upcoming Education Freedom Tax Credit, reduced federal monitoring that places greater responsibility on states and districts and opportunities to access additional funding.
Wright-Gallo encouraged transportation directors to engage special education administrators, federal programs directors and district financial leaders about Title II-A, Title IV-A, Medicaid reimbursement and travel training funding.
“We tend to highlight problems or problems are highlighted for us,” said the former associate superintendent for special education for Washington state and a former state director of special education for Utah. “But we forget to talk about where we’re seeing success, what’s going well.”
Consultant Launi Harden, retired director of transportation for Washington County School District in Utah and current executive director of the Florida Association for Pupil Transportation as well as TSD Conference faculty member, agreed. With alternative transportation becoming increasingly widespread, she urged districts to measure success by students transported safely and on time, rather than simply yellow buses arriving on schedule.
Day underscored the importance of building relationships with special education teams before IEP decisions create transportation challenges. Attending every meeting is impractical, she explained, but transportation leaders must communicate route limitations, travel times and operational capabilities beforehand.
“You have to get there before it happens,” Day advised.
Harden concurred that IEP teams make the final determination, but transportation professionals must contribute their safety expertise. She recommended bringing crash-test evidence, evacuation procedures and best practices into discussions, especially when students use alternative vehicles.
“We need to process differently than just our way we’ve always thought about things because our world is changing in front of us and it’s changing quickly,” she declared.
Wright-Gallo cautioned that IEPs simply assigning special transportation lack actionable information. She advised teams to specify behavioral considerations, communication needs, assistive technology, supervision and safety protocols so drivers and aides understand how to support each student.
She also encouraged periodic reviews of specialized transportation decisions to determine whether students could transition to conventional school buses when appropriate.
To retain drivers and monitors amid staffing shortages, Day said she prioritizes providing appropriate equipment, training and ongoing support.
“When they feel supported, when they feel like I’m their champion and I’m getting them what they need, they tend to be able to go farther, do more,” she explained.
Day shared that her district’s special education staff, behavior specialists and case managers develop student-specific training. She preserves presentations and reference materials so existing employees can refresh their knowledge and new hires can access the same instruction.
For districts using third-party transportation providers, Harden emphasized that outsourcing doesn’t eliminate district responsibility for safety and compliance. She recommended involving partners in training, maintaining district standards and ensuring providers understand emergency evacuation techniques.
“You don’t lower your standards when you bring a partner in,” she stressed. “And the safety is priority.”
School districts should complete background checks, fingerprinting and other qualifications proactively, Day added, before they urgently need alternative transportation services. A suitable “essential partner” will identify gaps transportation managers might miss and help fill them, Wright-Gallo said.
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Parents increasingly expect cameras, GPS tracking and transportation visibility, Harden noted. Day cautioned that technology only helps when information is accurate and actionable.
“If you’re not utilizing it, it’s just noise,” she said.
Day explained that parents primarily want accurate vehicle identification, arrival information and someone to contact when problems arise. Harden also emphasized timely communication about nonverbal students’ needs, especially when transportation arrangements change.
Wright-Gallo encouraged leaders to understand what special education law permits rather than assuming every requirement is inflexible.
“A lot of times we think about the law and absolutes, and there’s really a lot of flexibility and allowability in there,” she explained.
Harden reminded attendees that disciplinary challenges don’t automatically eliminate a student’s federal entitlement to educational services or the need to arrange appropriate transportation.
Day closed by encouraging transportation directors to audit their tools and staff resources, as well as form relationships with special education teams, alternative providers and neighboring districts.
“Relationships, relationships, relationships,” she emphasized, adding that finding an appropriate transportation solution outside the traditional yellow bus doesn’t represent failure when it better meets a student’s needs.
Written with the assistance of AI and a live session transcript.
The post Meeting Special Needs Transportation Challenges Beyond the Yellow Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.
FRISCO, Texas — Laura Hill, general manager of transportation for Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida, accepted the 2026 School Transportation News Transportation Director of the Year Award at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference.
Hill was honored for her leadership in student transportation, which is more than managing school buses, routes and budgets. Instead, the qualities that stood out to STN and those that nominated her for the award consist of building relationships, empowering employees and ensuring every student feels safe.
Steven Whaley, director of alternative fuels for award sponsor Blue Bird, presented Hill with the honor during the event’s opening session, recognizing her 25-year career and dedication to the students, families and transportation professionals she serves.
Hill, who is featured on the cover of the November issue of School Transportation News magazine, began her career as a school bus driver while pursuing a teaching degree. Although she completed her degree, she never entered the classroom. Instead, she discovered a passion for student transportation that eventually led her to oversee one of the nation’s largest school district transportation operations.
The district that she grew up in. Today, she manages nearly 1,000 buses operating 800 routes, transporting approximately 80,000 students across Hillsborough County.
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But Whaley emphasized on Sunday that Hill’s accomplishments extend far beyond operational statistics. Sharing an example of her personal commitment to students, Whaley recounted how Hill visited a bus stop after a second-grade student was mistakenly dropped off at the wrong location the day before. Rather than simply addressing the operational concern, Hill personally met the student the following afternoon and walked her home, helping restore the family’s confidence.
Along the way, Hill connected the student with another girl who had recently moved from the same town, helping both families feel welcome in their new community. Whaley noted that the moment illustrated how exceptional leadership is measured not only through operational improvements but also through the trust built with students and families.
When accepting the award, Hill redirected the recognition toward the employees, administrators and industry partners who support Hillsborough County Public School’s transportation operation.
“While my name might be on this award, I can assure you that it represents the hard work, dedication and commitment of an entire team,” Hill said, while also thanking the district’s school board, superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent Christopher Farkas for supporting transportation as an essential part of the educational system.
Hill also recognized the district’s vendor partners and the approximately 1,200 transportation professionals responsible for ensuring students arrive at school and return home safely.
“Every role matters in our organization, and every contribution makes a difference,” she said. “Over the years, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers or being the person who does everything. It’s about building relationships, surrounding yourself with talented people, trusting them, supporting them, and creating an environment where they can be successful.”
Hill thanked her husband and family for supporting her throughout a career that frequently extends beyond traditional working hours.
As the ceremony concluded, Hill reiterated that the recognition belonged to the entire Hillsborough County transportation team, whose dedication makes the district’s daily operations possible.
“One of the things I’m most proud of isn’t the number of buses we operate or the miles we travel. It’s the people behind the buses and the difference that they make in the students’ lives,” she said.
The post TSD Conference Honors Florida’s Hill as 2026 Transportation Director of Year appeared first on School Transportation News.
FRISCO, Texas — Transportation professionals discussed how national school transportation specifications can help districts strengthen safety practices, improve staff training and address challenges involving students with disabilities and alternative transportation during a panel discussion at the TSD Conference in Frisco, Texas.
The session, “How Are You Using the National School Transportation Specifications?” moderated by Editor in Chief Ryan Gray of School Transportation News included panelists Joshua Hinerman of the Tennessee Department of Education, Teena Mitchell of Greenville County Schools in South Carolina, Kenny Mulder of Special School District in Missouri, and Megan Elsberry of Cleveland Independent School District in Texas.
The discussion examined revisions approved during the 17th National Congress on School Transportation (NCST) in May 2025 and how districts are applying the 18th National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures (NSTSP) held in May 2029.
Hinerman said Tennessee’s Department of Education and Safety, where he serves as state director of student transportation, agreed to adopt the updated specifications in their entirety as statewide best practice guidance rather than law. He explained that the document provides transportation supervisors with recommendations when state regulations offer limited direction.
That guidance has become increasingly relevant as districts turn to alternative transportation to serve students experiencing homelessness, those in foster care and students requiring specialized transportation arrangements.
Hinerman emphasized that districts remain responsible for student safety even when transportation services are contracted to outside providers. He identified driver qualifications, contractor oversight and student loading and unloading procedures as areas where additional guidance could help districts establish clearer expectations.
Mulder, the director of transportation for Special School District of St. Louis, offered an example of how those expectations are being applied. He said his district uses approximately 60 alternative transportation routes through four companies and includes requirements for driver licensing, motor vehicle record checks and criminal background checks in its requests for proposals.
Beyond alternative transportation, panelists addressed how the specifications can help districts make decisions involving specialized equipment and student safety.
Mitchell, the immediate past-president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation and special needs coordinator for Greenville County Public Schools, discussed extensive revisions to the section covering infants, toddlers and preschool children, including procedures for attendants during student pickup and drop-off, loading children in infant-only car seats and responding to medical emergencies.
She explained that the specifications can provide direction when districts encounter situations that are not clearly addressed by existing policies.
As an example, Mitchell described the challenges of purchasing buses with flexible seating arrangements to accommodate students using wheelchairs. She noted that transportation departments must carefully consider wheelchair placement to avoid obstructing emergency exits.
Wheelchair safety was also a focus for Elsberry, Cleveland ISD’s operations manager, who discussed updates to securement recommendations and questioned whether transportation teams receive sufficient training to properly secure students and their mobility equipment.
She emphasized the importance of providing drivers and attendants with clear guidance so they can consistently follow recommended securement procedures.
The conversation then turned to the responsibilities of school bus attendants, particularly when transporting students with disabilities.
Elsberry explained that attendants should receive training on the equipment used on buses and actively participate in supporting students rather than simply accompanying them during transportation. She also stressed the importance of considering each student’s individualized education program when determining transportation support.
Mitchell similarly raised concerns about inadequate attendant training and encouraged transportation personnel to use recommended practices to demonstrate the need for additional resources and support from district administrators.
The panel also examined differences between transportation requirements for Head Start programs and other preschool students. Elsberry emphasized the importance of training personnel to recognize when young children need appropriate safety restraint systems, regardless of differences in program requirements.
Looking ahead to the 18th NCST in 2029, Mitchell encouraged transportation professionals to participate in future revisions by working with writing committees, contacting state delegates, or identifying concerns that require additional guidance.
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FRISCO, Texas – Virginia Padilla and Hanna Campos, two bus drivers from Hays Consolidated Independent School District in Central Texas, won the Special Needs Roadeo Competition at the TSD Conference.
Organized by Women in Transportation (wit.) and sponsored by Q’Straint/Sure-Lok, the roadeo competition took place at Prosper ISD Nov. 8 and consisted of 11 categories, each worth 150 points. Out of 1,650 possible points, Padilla and Campos earned 1,372 to take home the first-place prize.
“We are honestly very shocked, excited and proud of ourselves,” Padilla said. “It’s really awesome. We are super excited to bring back first place to our district and let everyone know, we are out here trying.”
The two Hays CISD bus drivers defeated 11 other teams, narrowly edging out Gwendolyn Nwankwo and Monica Jackson from Richardson ISD in Richardson, Texas, who took second, by just six points.
The 11 categories of the competition began with a written test, followed by a pre-trip assessment. Next came the loading and securement of wheelchairs onto the bus. Then came the most important part: Six categories dedicated to the hands-on bus route. The bus driver had to navigate the bus through a series of challenges, including traveling through a railroad crossing, maneuvering through narrow spaces between posts representing parked cars, and completing an alley dock maneuver by backing the bus into a designated space without hitting the surrounding cones or bar. Meanwhile, the attendant oversaw the adult actors on the bus, who presented real-world scenarios involving students with disabilities and special needs.
The 11th and final category was a new addition to the competition this year: A secret interview. Team members were presented with a question and given 30 seconds to discuss their responses with one another before answering.
“This is a skills course,” roadeo judge Patti Waites said. “To see how consistent they are. To see what kind of improvement would be needed and the ability to get along with the attendant on the inside.”
The importance of working together was put to the test during the competition’s emergency scenario. Near the end of the bus route, Alexandra Robinson, co-founder of wit., boarded the bus and presented the teams with a real-world situation.
“There is a male yelling that one of your students has thrown something out the window at his truck, he is angry, mentally unstable and just boarded your bus with a weapon,” Robinson said.
Teams then had two minutes to attempt to diffuse the situation and ensure the students were out of harm’s way.
“What stands out the most is that we are looking for the teams that work as a pair together,” roadeo judge Kathy Brown said. “To see that they are communicating with one another. To control the environment on the bus, at the same time be aware of what is happening outside of the bus.”
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Throughout the competition, communication and teamwork played an important role in each team’s ability to navigate the different challenges. From completing the driving course to responding to unexpected situations, drivers and attendants had to rely on one another to make decisions and keep students safe.
For Padilla and Campos, the competition provided an opportunity to put their skills to the test, learn from the experience and bring back some new knowledge to their district. While taking home first place was an exciting accomplishment, winning wasn’t necessarily what they came to Frisco for.
“I did not expect this at all,” Campos said. “We were just here for the experience and the training.”
The post Texas Hays CISD Team Wins Special Needs Roadeo Competition appeared first on School Transportation News.
From Arctic landscapes to insect bodies, climate change is shifting the familiar colors of nature.
FRISCO, Texas — A missed bus check, an improperly secured wheelchair or an unanswered bullying report can turn a routine transportation decision into a federal civil rights case, special education attorney Julie Weatherly said during “The Wheels of Justice: Important Case Law Impacting Transportation of Students with Disabilities” keynote address at the 2026 TSD Conference.
Her Saturday general session keynote at the event addressed monetary damages, student discipline, transportation as a related service, service animals, and other legal issues affecting students with disabilities.
Drawing on 40 years of experience in special education law, Weatherly reviewed court decisions and federal guidance to illustrate how transportation departments can better protect students and reduce legal risks.
Miriam Manary, lead research engineer at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, said Weatherly presented the complicated subject matter in a clear and practical way.
“I felt it was really fascinating to hear from somebody who’s seen a broad spectrum of issues surrounding the legality of IDEA,” Manary told School Transportation News. “She gave us some takeaways that we can really think about and incorporate into how we approach the problems.”
A major focus of the keynote was the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools. The case involved Ava Tharpe, a student with a severe form of epilepsy whose morning seizures prevented her from attending school until noon.
Tharpe’s family requested instruction later in the day to compensate for the school hours she could not attend. The district extended her day slightly but declined to provide all the requested services outside its usual schedule. Lower courts found that the shortened program did not provide Tharpe with an appropriate education based on her individual circumstances.
“When hearing officers and judges in special education situations hear the ‘we don’t do that here,’ it can be a death knell to the case,” Weatherly said. “The ‘I’ in IDEA means individualized.”
A separate portion of the case reached the Supreme Court after Tharpe’s family sought monetary damages under federal disability laws. The Supreme Court ruled that children bringing education-related discrimination claims cannot be required to meet a more demanding standard than other people filing similar disability claims.
Weatherly emphasized that the ruling did not award damages to Tharpe’s family or guarantee that other families will receive them. A family seeking money must still show more than a mistake, poor judgment or ordinary negligence. It generally must demonstrate that a district intentionally discriminated against or knew a student’s federally protected rights were likely being violated and failed to respond appropriately.
The case, Weatherly said, underscores the danger of basing decisions on staffing, scheduling or administrative convenience instead of a student’s documented needs.
Other cases Weatherly discussed illustrated the importance of preparing for emergencies and ensuring backup procedures are in place.
One case involved a student with a life-threatening dairy allergy. Her safety plan directed staff to take her immediately to the school nurse if she experienced a reaction, but the nurse was absent when the emergency occurred. The student later died.
“If it’s life-threatening, we should have had a plan for the safety plan,” Weatherly said, emphasizing the need to identify trained backup employees before an emergency occurs.
Weatherly also discussed cases involving children left aboard school buses, excessive force by employees, missing bus monitors and transportation practices that caused students with disabilities to lose instructional time. She urged employees to promptly report behavior or conditions that could endanger a student.
“See something, say something,” Weatherly told attendees. “Do not ever sweep anything under the rug.”
Bullying on a school bus can also become a disability rights matter. Weatherly said courts generally examine whether the harassment was related to the student’s disability, whether school officials knew about it and whether they responded appropriately.
A district is not automatically responsible every time bullying occurs, Weatherly explained. However, ignoring repeated reports or failing to investigate known misconduct can increase its potential liability. Prompt investigations, increased supervision, seating changes, and other preventive measures can demonstrate that a district took a complaint seriously.
Weatherly also examined disagreements among courts over how far transportation responsibilities extend beyond the school bus. In one case, a federal appeals court ruled that transportation services could include helping carry a non-ambulatory student between an inaccessible apartment and the school vehicle because the student otherwise could not attend school.
A New York federal court reached a different conclusion in a similar case, finding that federal law did not require a district to provide employees to carry students within their residences. Weatherly said conflicting decisions make it important for districts to consult legal counsel familiar with the requirements in their jurisdiction.
Service animals present another area in which districts should prepare before a request arises. Weatherly said schools can establish notification procedures, determine who is responsible for the animal, and teach employees and students not to distract it while it is working. Conflicting needs, such as another student’s serious allergy, should be addressed individually rather than through a blanket rule.
Weatherly acknowledged that staffing shortages make transportation services more difficult to deliver. Still, she said the absence of a driver, aide, nurse or other employee generally does not eliminate a district’s obligation to provide a required service.
The combination of legal guidance and practical transportation examples resonated with attendees. Sean Clore, director of transportation for Spotsylvania County Schools in Virginia, said the range and relevance of the issues made the keynote stand out.
“Personally, I think it was the best session I’ve attended so far,” Clore said following the session. “Her expertise and her knowledge are so relevant. She could have done one all day long.”
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FRISCO, Texas — A Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs (TSD) Conference session highlighted the importance of collaboration, financial oversight and technology in delivering cost-effective student transportation services.
As school transportation departments face rising operational costs, staffing challenges and increasing demands for specialized services, finding opportunities to improve efficiency without compromising student safety remains a priority.
Betty Ressel, a certified public accountant with more than 30 years of experience conducting school district performance reviews, encouraged transportation professionals to rethink how they approach partnerships, contracts and financial resources.
Her session, “Efficiency Through Shared Services,” explored how collaboration among school districts, government agencies, contractors and internal departments can help transportation operations reduce expenses, identify additional revenue and improve services for students with disabilities.
Ressel emphasized that efficiency isn’t simply about cutting costs. Rather, it requires understanding where money is being spent, identifying opportunities for collaboration and ensuring that existing resources are being used effectively.
One of Ressel’s central messages was the importance of communication between transportation departments and other decision-makers, particularly those involved in developing individualized education programs (IEPs).
She encouraged transportation leaders to seek representation on IEP teams to ensure that transportation decisions account for operational realities, including vehicle availability, road conditions, staffing and student safety.
Ressel advised getting involved with the IEP and ensuring that transportation has a voice. She suggested developing a reference guide outlining available transportation services and their associated costs. Such a resource could help administrators and IEP teams understand available options while supporting informed decisions about how to meet individual student needs.
Transportation departments should also explore opportunities to work with purchasing departments, accounting teams and other public agencies.
For example, partnerships with city or county governments could create opportunities for shared vehicle maintenance, inspections, fuel purchasing and staffing. Ressel noted that collaboration between government agencies may reduce duplication of services and eliminate certain administrative costs associated with outsourcing.
Beyond reducing expenses, Ressel encouraged attendees to examine whether their districts are maximizing available funding and reimbursement opportunities.
Medicaid reimbursement for eligible special education transportation services was a particular focus. She described districts serving approximately 20,000 students that had generated as much as $500,000 annually through Medicaid claims, illustrating the potential financial impact of properly documenting and seeking reimbursement for qualifying services.
However, she stressed that accessing these funds requires coordination among transportation, special education and accounting personnel as well as accurate service documentation.
Transportation leaders should understand their state Medicaid reimbursement requirements and work with district financial teams to determine whether eligible services are being claimed.
Ressel also encouraged districts to review state funding formulas and grant reimbursement processes, noting that requirements and opportunities vary by state.
Another major takeaway was the importance of clearly defined contracts and a memorandum of understanding when sharing or outsourcing transportation services.
Ressel cautioned that poorly documented agreements can create financial uncertainty, service gaps and liability concerns. Contracts should establish specific service expectations, billing requirements, staff qualifications, training obligations and procedures for monitoring contractor performance.
She emphasized that districts must actively verify whether contractors are delivering the services for which they are being paid. That includes reviewing invoices against actual transportation records and periodically auditing employee training documentation.
For students with disabilities, the stakes extend beyond finances. Ensuring drivers and monitors have received appropriate training is essential to maintaining safe and reliable transportation.
Ressel also encouraged transportation departments to review automatic price increases in multiyear contracts rather than assuming those increases are justified.
Technology also emerged as an important component of effective shared services.
Ressel discussed how GPS tracking, parent communication portals and integrated transportation management systems can help districts reduce administrative workloads while improving communication with families.
She pointed to an example involving Palm Beach, Florida, where implementing a parent-facing transportation information system substantially reduced the volume of phone calls and complaints, allowing staff to focus on other operational responsibilities.
However, she warned that technology investments require careful planning, especially when school districts and transportation contractors use different platforms.
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Compatibility, data protection and clearly defined responsibilities should be considered before implementing new systems.
While acknowledging the potential of AI, Ressel encouraged districts to prioritize foundational technology that addresses immediate operational needs.
“Get the basics, know what can help you right now,” she advised before adding advancements like AI.
Throughout the session, Ressel reinforced that effective transportation management depends on clearly defined responsibilities and consistent communication among everyone involved in serving students.
Parents, administrators, transportation professionals and contractors may approach transportation decisions from different perspectives, but each plays a role in ensuring students receive appropriate services.
For transportation departments serving students with disabilities and special needs, shared services offer more than opportunities for financial savings. They can improve accountability, strengthen communication and help districts direct limited resources toward the students who need them most.
Ressel ultimately challenged attendees to return to their districts and identify at least one opportunity to reduce expenses or increase revenue through stronger partnerships. Her message underscored that meaningful operational improvements do not always require major investments. Sometimes, they begin with a conversation between departments or agencies that have historically worked independently.
Written with the assistance of AI and an AI transcript.
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A 14-year-old Southern Nash High School student died after a pickup truck struck her as she entered the road to board her school bus near Middlesex in Nash County, North Carolina.
The crash occurred shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday. The student was taken to WakeMed in Raleigh with serious injuries and died later that morning.
In a statement sent to School Transportation News, North Carolina State Highway Patrol First Sgt. Kearstin S. Howald said the school bus amber warning lights were activated, but its red lights were not. The bus’ stop arm was not extended. The bus driver had not signaled for the student to cross the road.
Investigators reviewed footage from the school bus camera, and the investigation remains ongoing. Howald said no charges have been filed against either driver.
“We do not anticipate charges at this time,” she added.
The Highway Patrol’s incident summary said the student, who was not identified at this writing, was waiting in a private driveway for an eastbound school bus. A 2014 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling west when the student entered the roadway and was struck.
After the collision, the pickup driver pulled onto the shoulder. The student was thrown into a ditch and transported to the hospital. At 8:01 a.m., a medical examiner notified a Highway Patrol sergeant that she had died from her injuries.
Howald said it was dark at the time of the crash, but visibility was clear. Investigators did not consider speeding a factor and and said the motorist showed no signs of impairment.
The Highway Patrol identified a pedestrian violation as a contributing circumstance. The agency reported no contributing circumstances for the pickup driver. Its response did not specify the pedestrian violation.
In a separate statement sent to School Transportation News, Nash County Public Schools expressed condolences and declined further comment.
“Nash County Public Schools is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students,” the district stated. “Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and school community during this difficult time.”
Out of respect for the family and their privacy, we will not be providing further comment,” the statement continued.
STN asked the district about student crossing procedures, support for those aboard the bus, transportation arrangements following the crash, and any review of pickup procedures or the bus stop location. The district’s response did not address those questions.
The district however provided copies of two communications Southern Nash High School delivered to families Tuesday, one before students arrived and another before dismissal.
The initial communication informed families that a student had been struck by a vehicle while attempting to board a school bus. It said the student’s family had been notified but did not disclose her condition, citing privacy.
The communication before dismissal confirmed the student’s death and described support available to classmates and staff.
Nash County Public Schools’ Traumatic Event Debriefing Team was on campus Tuesday to help students process the loss and remain available in the coming days, the school said. Families were advised that children might return home with questions or heightened emotions and need additional support.
“During this time of sadness, let us come together as a school community with compassion, understanding, and kindness,” the school stated.
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FRISCO, Texas – During a Saturday lunchtime session at the TSD Conference, three pupil transportation leaders discussed the benefits of technology for transporting students with special needs as well as lessons learned during implementation.
“There’s things changing every day with special needs routes,” noted Zachery Moren, sales engineering lead for session sponsor Transfinder.
Sierra Elliot, route supervisor for Garland Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, transports 1,100 students with special needs students using 77 routes. She utilizes strategies like a team Google Sheet and a dedicated email address for staff, so nothing is missed.
Jennifer Gardella, director of transportation for neighboring Rockwall Independent School District, transports 8,000 students overall and has 28 special education routes. She confirmed that corralling changes across schools, staff and drivers is tedious. She said it’s important to have a seat at the table so transportation can proactively weigh in on the availability of monitors or safety equipment assigned in Individualized Education Programs.
Virginia’s Loudoun County Public Schools, located about half an hour outside Washington D.C., uses 170 routes to transport 3,000 students with special needs. Making changes using seven routers and sending updated PDFs to drivers is “very complicated, very cumbersome,” Transportation Coordinator Kathleen Guarini said.
A 72-hour notice period and thorough information sharing processes has helped streamline aspects like wheelchair lift bus requests and joint custody households, she shared. She also urges campus administrators to log into the school bus driver app Wayfinder to verify the accuracy of information there.
Garland ISD and Rockwall ISD heavily promote the parent app Stopfinder using billboards and even QR code-bearing T-shirts so families can stay updated.
Loudoun County required its technology-hesitant drivers to use onboard navigation after discontinuing paper route sheets, which Guarini said streamlined both parent communications and employee timesheet processes. Transfinder customer care further makes drivers feel supported, she added.
Gardella at Rockwall ISD stressed that driver training was imperative for all the technology pieces to fit together. “Not only did I add the technology in for them, I worked with them and I didn’t leave them behind. I kept working with them until they got it,” she said.
Additionally, she said, onboard technology catches issues like drivers dropping students at unofficial stops, thus leading to training opportunities.
Elliot, who is also Garland ISD’s hiring manager, makes it part of her onboarding process to tell drivers that they will be using onboard technology and said it improved buy-in. She acknowledged that too much information can be a problem as parents watching Stopfinder sometimes call in with nitpicky questions on bus timing or location.
Guarini and Elliot gave advice gleaned from their experiences in rolling out various Transfinder components.
“Your staff, your drivers, everyone needs to know that they are supported,” Elliot emphasized.
“Roll it out at a pace that makes sense to be really successful,” Moren agreed.
Elliot pointed out emergencies or even broken school HVAC necessitate buses moving students en masse, which highlights how important it is for drivers to use assigned onboard navigation technology and students to use RFID scanning cards. Partnering with local businesses and restaurants to give discounts to students who bring in their badges boosts adoption, she shared.
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While initial technology implementation at Loudoun County was rocky, Guarini confirmed that lessons were learned. Now, she specified, keeping pertinent student information viewable for relevant admin and staff improves service.
“So, if I need to know what your medical conditions are, or if a parent has to meet you at the bus stop or not, or if you have a seizure problem, all of that is shared electronically through the tablet at the driver’s fingertips,” she said. “And we’re not running around like chickens with our heads cut off anymore.”
She said she first learned to become more technology proficient herself and agreed with Gardella that making sure the technology is tailored to the district’s unique needs has refined operations.
Guarini underscored that technology is beneficial, but relationships are more important since roadblocked knowledge sets up transportation teams for failure.
“We’re going to continue to see escalations and people getting hurt that we could prevent in simple sharing of information,” she explained.
During the Q&A, panelists shared how the technology smoothly handles issues like one driver substituting for another in an emergency, students getting dropped at a friend’s house instead of their normal home stop, merging bus routes when drivers call out and automatically sending parents notifications on changes.
The post Transportation Leader Advice on School Bus Technology at TSD Conference appeared first on School Transportation News.
How can school transportation professionals ensure the safest ride for their youngest passengers and students with disabilities?
At the 2026 TSD Conference, attendees participated in the eight-hour NHTSA Child Passenger Safety on School Buses National Training, gaining hands-on experience with child safety restraint systems (CSRS) and learning best practices for transporting preschool-aged children and students with disabilities.
Led by nationally recognized child passenger safety experts, the training combined classroom instruction, instructional videos and hands-on practice to reinforce proper restraint selection, installation and use on school buses.
School Transportation News takes you inside the training to highlight the importance of proper securement, specialized instruction and continued education in student transportation.
Watch to see how hands-on training is helping school transportation professionals put student safety first. Learn more about the TSDConference.
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The post Hands-On Child Passenger Safety Training at TSD Conference appeared first on School Transportation News.
FRISCO, Texas — Expanding on her October School Transportation News Thought Leader column, Linda Bluth facilitated a panel discussion at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference on “What To Do When A Supervisor Directs You To Do Something You Know Is Wrong?”
The panelists, which consisted of over 200 years of experience in transportation, discussed how to handle situations thoughtfully, cautiously and promptly.
“Is there anyone sitting in the room who was told by their supervisors to do something they knew was wrong?” Bluth asked the audience Nov. 6. A little less than half of the respondents said they have had this experience.
Bluth, a TSD Conference tenured faculty member and expert witness, noted that if you disagree with your supervisors, take inventory of the disagreement. Is the situation unsafe, unlawful or unethical?
Fellow tenured faculty member Alexandra Robinson, former executive director of transportation for the New York City Department of Education and now an industry consultant as well as expert witness, recalled issues with her then supervisor relating to training and the unsafe transportation of students with disabilities. She noted that her integrity was worth more than her job.
Tenured faculty members and consultants Launi Harden and Sue Shutrump also discussed circumstances in which they were instructed to do something that they felt was wrong. Shutrump, a retired supervisor of occupational and physical therapy in Ohio, noted recalled when school administrators would default to “put them in harness” Language during student individualized education program (IEP) meetings. She noted that not only did they use the incorrect nomenclature, they didn’t consider the needs of the student. She said that keeping administrators in the loop and involved in the decision-making process changes the conversation and avoids a one-stop solution for all students.
When your supervisor asks you to something that you believe is wrong, how do you bring up concerns? Harden said it’s all about complying with policies and procedures. She added that precedents set become policy.
Shutrump recommended reviewing equipment manufacturer guidelines and to not only review policies in transportation but in the school buildings as well. Harden added that anytime school staff is mentioned in policies and procedures, transportation should be included.
TSD tenured faculty member and legal expert Peggy Burns, a surprise addition to the panel, advised knowing the nature of the risk. “What is the importance of the battle you’re fighting? Are we talking about the safety of a student?” she said.
Bluth outlined the recommendations provided in her article.
The panelists agreed that safety trumps all other considerations. Robinson noted that student transporters think in advance and understand the domino effect a decision can have on other students. For example, change a route by five minutes and what is the impact on other routes? She noted it’s okay for those in the room to ask supervisors to put their request in writing and look for further clarification.
Burns agreed, noting that putting things in writing provides additional clarity and provides documentation.
Shutrump added that policies and procedures for traditional education can be black and white, whereas when transporting students with disabilities, the ‘I’ in IEP can’t be forgotten.
“We must write individual plans that meet the needs of the students,” she said.
Bluth asked how and when one should request assistance if their supervisor insists they do something that they know is wrong.
Burns suggested relying on established policy and procedures to determine what they about the situation, and what the penalty is. While there are people one can talk to, she said what is in writing is very important.
Robinson said when she worked in her role, she provided history on why certain rules were created and why things are done that way. Re-education is key, she said.
Bluth continued, asking how to defend oneself against the risk of potential liability. For instance, she said often something is written in an email that is a direct violation.
Shutrump said, “Document, document, document. You can’t document enough.”
She cautioned that everything put in writing can be brought up in a court case. She said every meeting with parents should be documented, even if it’s an IEP meeting. There should be written notice about what occurred in the IEP, who was there, what decisions remained and who supported it. She also cautioned offering short term fixes. If you move forward with something, she said, it will be become precedent.
“If it’s unsafe, don’t ever do it,” she said.
Robinson agreed, noting that one needs to prove there was training.
“Documentation, as good as it is, can also be a subpoena,” she said, adding that files kept on a student or notes can be used in court.
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Burns advised that before one concludes on their own that a request or order is inappropriate, review it with school district counsel. “You may assume something is terrible, but it may not be as terrible as you think,” she said, adding to consider all the facts and make arguments of why certain things would require the situation to be handled differently.
Harden added that the increase in technology, such as cameras on the school bus, could potentially cause a district more trouble if random footage checks are not being done.
“You need to have a random checking policy in place,” she said.
Shutrump also advised having a policy on who has the power to break policies and procedures should the situation arise.
Robinson said student transporters should have emergency procedures. For instance, prior to 2020, no one had a policy on what to do if a pandemic breaks out.
Overall, Bluth advised taking an individual approach. “No matter what, maintain your professionalism,” she said. “Don’t do anything that would jeopardize safe school transportation.
“Each of you are special,” she concluded. “You can make a profound difference in the life of your peers/parents and in the safety of children who are transported today.”
The post Policies, Documentation Crucial When Asked to Do Something You Think is Wrong appeared first on School Transportation News.
FRISCO, Texas – A panel discussion at the TSD Conference revealed the benefits of propane school buses for school districts concerned about rising operational costs, including diesel fuel.
Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, near Washington, D.C., maintains a mixed fleet of 513 route buses, including 31 electric and 30 propane buses. When nine of the district’s electric school buses went down in January, propane offered greater reliability, explained Assistant Director of Transportation Tisha Austin.
The district’s first 15 propane buses achieved a satisfactory 100 percent uptime, she reported. The transportation department initially used wet fueling before installing temporary 1,000-gallon tanks, allowing propane deployment while permanent infrastructure remained pending.
Austin reportedly pays $1.93 per gallon for propane compared to over $5 a gallon for diesel.
“We see propane as our future,” she confirmed.
An environmental focus in Norwalk, Connecticut, precipitated a change for the local school district and its transportation contractor. COVID-19, a new superintendent, changed bell times and driver shortages complicated matters. But a Norwalk Public Schools switch to propane school buses was ultimately a win, shared Transportation Director Johanna Zanvettor.
The district saved $90,000 in fuel costs during the first year, not including maintenance savings. Federal reimbursements added approximately $250,000. The buses travel roughly 60 miles daily, and the fleet manager reports easier maintenance and “top notch” technical support from Blue Bird manufacturing partner ROUSH CleanTech.
“Blue Bird is like the Cadillac of school buses,” Zanvettor commented.
Both transportation leaders reported that drivers were excited about the new propane buses but wary of the unfamiliar fuel. Hands-on training, opportunities to ask questions and firsthand experience helped overcome concerns, they shared. Loudoun County also certified drivers to fuel their own propane buses.
Zanvettor discussed fueling infrastructure and permitting challenges. Norwalk replaced aging underground diesel tanks with two 1,800-gallon, above-ground propane tanks, eliminating concerns about underground diesel leaks and messy fueling residue. Its local propane provider handled infrastructure installation and helped train 12 certified fuelers.
The panelists agreed that although electric school buses offer environmental benefits, propane better meets their current operational needs.
“We don’t want to get stuck where we have a driver out there because the vehicle didn’t charge or the driver’s concerned because they’re watching it and they’ve got kids on board,” Zanvettor declared.
Zanvettor also noted that the superior maintenance performance of propane buses helped Norwalk negotiate a three-year transportation contract extension with an 8-percent increase, compared with the 18- to 24-percent increases cited nationally. Because the contractor did not need to replace buses, the district benefited from lower renewal costs.
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“One of things I’m most proud of is we have a buffet of school buses,” quipped Stephen Whaley, alternative fuels manager for Blue Bird.
While diesel remains king of school bus fuels, Whaley posited that propane is a viable, if lesser-known option. He predicted that mixed fleets will prevail, with districts selecting fuels based on routes, climate and geography. Already, 60 percent of Blue Bird production output is non-diesel, he said.
Propane engines have fewer components and are easier to work on than diesel engines, Whaley noted, since they lack diesel particulate filters, selective catalytic reduction or diesel exhaust fluid systems. Propane also performs well in cold starts, eliminating the need for lengthy winter warmups.
Amid concerning diesel price spikes, Whaley pointed to cost-per-mile savings reported by Anthony Jackson, director of transportation for Bibb County Schools in Georgia. The district spent 39 cents per mile on propane versus 66 cents on diesel, saving approximately $540,000 annually across 2 million miles. Whaley said maintenance savings added another 23 cents per mile.
Propane fuel tanks come in various sizes and infrastructure is scalable, Whaley noted. Contrasted with EV range concerns, he cited Transportation Director Kay Cornelius’ use of propane buses for St. Louis County Schools in Minnesota on long-distance field trips, including a 1,200-mile round trip to a robotics championship in Illinois.
Whaley also reviewed federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grants, saying eligible propane buses could receive funding covering 45 percent of acquisition costs when replacing older diesel buses.
He highlighted propane’s lower projected lifetime ownership costs and noted that AmeriGas recently announced a one-year free-fuel promotion for qualifying new propane buses. Providers can also offer multiyear fuel pricing to help districts forecast operating costs.
“Find a propane provider who has experience with fleets,” he advised. “Somebody who knows how to get the permitting, who knows the ins and outs of fuel management.”
Written with the assistance of AI and a live session transcript.
The post Why Propane is School Bus Fuel of Choice for Two School Districts appeared first on School Transportation News.
FRISCO, Texas — Behavior specialist Patrick Mulick kicked off the educational sessions at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference by explaining the significance of reducing the reliance on one to one adult support and the importance of having an independent mindset when working with students with disabilities.
“I am not here to help you. I am here to help you help you,” said Mulick, who is the autism coordinator for the Auburn School District in Washington, on Friday.
The five-time TSD Conference speaker has spent over two decades educating students with disabilities, from preschool to high school. The reason why he works in education? To be a difference maker. For Mulick, one of the biggest ways to make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities is by helping them reach a greater level of independence.
“Kids don’t grow because we do things for them,” he said. “Kids grow because we challenge and support them to do things on their own.”
Mulick discussed numerous reasons why one-to-one adult support can have negative effects on students with disabilities, the first of which being unnecessary dependence. He noted how a student with a disability might be hesitant to act without expected adult direction, prompting or cueing.
Additionally, students may experience a lack of interaction with peers as the one-to-one adult aide can create physical or symbolic barriers that interfere with those interactions.
Mulick also discussed how students may experience embarrassment or discomfort from having an adult present. Some students with disabilities may even express their dislike of one-to-one support through inappropriate behavior.
Originally from Boring, Oregon, there is nothing monotonous about the charismatic Mulick. He solicited from attendees a loud “whoo” when asking him how they were feeling, rather than a mundane “good.” He set up his talk with humor by recounting the “struggle” with independence of his parents. The Oregon ban on self-service fueling only expired three years ago. In his new home of Washington state, however, where self-serve has been legal, he would need to assist his parents whenever they visited.
Mulick explained how gas stations in Oregon now provide step-by-step visual instructions to help motorist figure out how to pump their own gas. He used this example to demonstrate how important visuals can be to students with disabilities and the importance of promoting their independence.
“A well-used visual is worth a thousand verbal reminders,” Mulick said.
The idea resonated with attendee Melanie Tsosie, a bus driver from Piñon Community School in Arizona.
“Introducing visuals and helping regulate. That’s what I got out of this,” she said.
Another key takeaway from Mulick’s presentation was the importance of predictability. He outlined five steps that can ultimately help students with disabilities have an easier time navigating their daily routines. Start with setting a routine, which leads to predictability, then reliability and trust. A feeling of safety follows, resulting in tangible success for the student.
“If there is no plan to remove the training wheels, then you are only training the child to be dependent on them,” Mulick said.
Kyle Guison, who works in special needs transportation with Springfield R12 School District in Missouri, couldn’t agree more.
“How can we help our students with special needs increase their independence?” Guison said. “Which is ultimately what we all want, both on the special education and the transportation side.”
Mulick also shared the idea of shifting the language when attempting to help students with disabilities reach a level of independence. Instead of saying “remove” or “take out the adult,” Mulick advised that educators use phrases like “increasing opportunities for independence.” This shift in language not only changes how to approach student support but also help parents move from a mindset of protecting their children to one focused on building their skills.
Mulick concluded with a quote from Helen Keller, “A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn.”
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The post Mulick Promotes Independence by Reducing Reliance on 1:1 Adult Support appeared first on School Transportation News.
A school bus driver faces a misdemeanor charge after a 5-year-old child was dragged after their backpack became caught in the bus doors during an afternoon drop-off.
In a statement by the Oneida County (New York) Sheriff’s Office, authorities said Tasha Van Dayne, 37, of Clinton, turned herself in to deputies Nov. 3 at the Law Enforcement Building. She was arrested on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor and released on an appearance ticket.
Van Dayne is scheduled to appear in Kirkland Town Court Nov. 16.
Deputies responded Nov. 2 to Martin Drive in Kirkland following a report that a child had been dragged by a school bus. According to the sheriff’s office, Van Dayne was driving a 2023 full-size IC Bus for Clinton Central School District on her afternoon route.
The bus stopped at the child’s residence, where multiple children exited. As the last child was getting off, Van Dayne closed the doors, trapping the child with their backpack, deputies said. The child’s identity was not released at this writing.
The bus then moved forward, dragging the child before stopping. The child sustained minor injuries, according to the sheriff’s office, which said its investigation remains ongoing. In a statement posted Nov. 3, Clinton Central School District described the incident as occurring during an elementary afternoon bus run. The district said the student was dragged a “short distance” before the driver became aware of what had happened and stopped.
Neither the district’s statement nor the sheriff’s releases specified how far the child was dragged or whether the child required hospital treatment.
“The driver involved in this incident will no longer be transporting students,” the district stated.
The statement did not specify whether Van Dayne’s employment had been terminated or otherwise explained her employment status.
The district expressed relief that the child did not sustain serious physical injuries while acknowledging the emotional impact on the student and other children who witnessed the incident.
“While we are relieved that the student did not sustain serious physical injuries, we recognize that this was a frightening and traumatic experience, not only for the student involved, but also for the children who were still on the bus and witnessed what occurred,” the district stated.
School support staff would be available to provide counseling and support as needed, the district said. Officials also contacted families of students on the bus to inform them of the situation.
The district said it would not share additional personal information out of respect for the student’s and family’s privacy.
“The safety and well-being of our students are among our most important responsibilities, and we take an incident of this nature extremely seriously,” the district stated.
Superintendent Christopher Clancy declined additional comment when contacted by School Transportation News, referring STN to the district’s posted statement.
STN had also not received a response from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office seeking additional information.
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The post NY School Bus Driver Charged After Child Dragged by Backpack in Door appeared first on School Transportation News.
FRISCO, Texas – Using examples from sports and business, Ross Bernstein schooled student transportation leaders on the Champion’s Code.
Author of over 50 books and a speaker on every continent – even Antarctica – Bernstein drew from his experience in locker rooms, press boxes, dugouts and sidelines to demonstrate that “being a champion is about doing the little things the right way.”
Amid meetings with vendor partners brainstorming solutions to everyday operational challenges, tables of student transporters discussed Bernstein’s takeaways during Day 2 of the Transportation Director Summit on Thursday, an STN EXPO staple new this year at the Transporting Students with Disabilities (TSD) and Special Needs Conference and Trade Show.
“People choose to do business with, to buy from, to be led by” people who are passionate, kind, generous and consistent, Bernstein declared.
“You can’t fake passion,” he said, as exhibited by Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins and his unbounded fervor for baseball. “If you’re not really, truly, authentically passionate about what you do, then you might need to think about what you do.”
Bernstein illustrated the critical principle of compassion through two college softball team captains who assisted a rival player to finish rounding the bases after she became injured. Compassion, empathy and kind-heartedness are also crucial in attracting new school bus drivers from Generations Z and Alpha, he noted.
Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky was the National Hockey League’s all-time leader in goals, but he had twice as many assists in which he helped another player score a goal, Bernstein revealed. Gretzky’s humble leadership and dedicated mentorship further shaped an effective team.
Love him or hate him, Bernstein stated, “there was no off season” for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, whose consistency, enthusiasm and meticulousness helped him overcome failures and net him seven National Football League Super Bowl championship rings.
Business and transportation could take a page from sports, Bernstein emphasized, utilize a focused game plan, a data-based playbook and accountability for underperforming players.
“If you’re not there consistently showing up with passion and compassion, you don’t have successful teams that are serving our kids,” concurred STN Transportation Director of the Year Laura Hill, the general manager of transportation for Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida, who was in attendance.
Bernstein advised the transportation directors, managers and supervisors to incorporate focus, trust, respect, goal setting and humility.
Like American football players performing in cold climates they’re not accustomed to or student transporters dealing with everything from pandemics to rising fuel prices to government shifts to AI, mental toughness and focusing on only what you can control are crucial, Bernstein shared.
One of the “winningest” coaches in college basketball history, Pat Summitt, won eight national championships with the University of Tennessee by recruiting the right players, not the best players, Bernstein noted. He said she also demonstrated how important it is to shift leadership techniques from old-school aggression and yelling to modernized culture-based strategies of connection, respect and praise.
Baseball “clubhouse guys” like Harmon Killebrew of Bernstein’s hometown Minnesota Twins hold teams together by urging team members toward excellence in things as small as signing baseballs legibly, “making sure little problems don’t turn into big problems.” Pupil transportation teams similarly need someone reminding colleagues to follow safety guidelines and treat each other with respect, he added.
Olympic gold medalist Lindsay Vonn exemplifies purpose and goal setting, Bernstein shared, by constantly shattering skiing records at every turn and moving into a new phase post-knee injury during which she mentored the proficient Mikaela Shiffrin, who has the most FIS Alpine Ski World Cup wins of any alpine skier in history.
“Nobody wants to work with or be led by an arrogant, narcissistic jerk,” Bernstein quipped. He termed track and field champion Emma McGowan, who is also a special needs school bus driver, a “true professional” who refrains from antics and credits training for her wins.
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Bernstein urged student transporters in attendance to be adaptable and get creative to succeed in a modernizing digital age.
Adapting to change is key, as student transporters quickly learned when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and as they are learning now in the age of AI. “It’s about thinking differently – the old style of business is changing,” he said.
Hotels adapted in eco-friendly and inclusive ways to attract millennials and avoid losing customers to Airbnb. Similarly, Bernstein said, school district bus operations must adapt to the sensibilities of their Gen Z and Gen Alpha customers.
He said creative strategies that have worked for him include connecting on a personal level with clients and having a social media strategy.
“Be a cheerleader for your customers and prospects, those families, those communities,” he encouraged.
“Not everybody wins a trophy. Sometimes you’ve got to deal with stuff,” Bernstein said.
He shared his experiences with U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame coach Herb Brooks of Disney movie “Miracle on Ice” renown, encouraging attendees to find silver linings and tell stories to make connections for better service to students.
While never achieving his goal of playing on the University of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers hockey team, Bernstein became the “Goldie the Gopher” mascot and launched his author career with a book about Brooks’ team, which he wrote in college with the coach’s help.
Following Brooks’s death in in a car crash, proceeds from Bernstein’s biography “America’s Coach” go toward a hockey organization for underprivileged youth.
Brooks also acknowledged unsung behind the scenes staff, as Bernstein encouraged attendees to do with their school bus drivers, attendants and mechanics.
“The name of the front of the jersey is always more important than the name on the back of the jersey,” Brooks once told Bernstein. “Always ‘we’ and ‘us,’ never ‘I’ and ‘me.’”
While considering the legacy left by sports legends, Bernstein shared that a recent cancer diagnosis refocused him on living life to the fullest.
“Remember, individuals win games, but it takes a whole team to win a championship,” he concluded.
Photos by Tyler Davis.
The post Sports Secrets of Success Shared at Transportation Director Summit appeared first on School Transportation News.
Durham School Services supplied three school buses for a simulated aircraft emergency at McKinney National Airport, helping first responders train and transport student participants as the airport prepared to begin commercial passenger service.
The full-scale exercise, Operation Fractured Sky, was coordinated by the city’s Office of Emergency Management. In a statement, Durham said one bus represented an aircraft at a crash site, while two others transported student actors from local hospitals after their simulated emergency transport.
The exercise took place Sept. 18 and tested airport emergency personnel and equipment response times to a simulated air carrier accident, according to the city. It was part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight as the airport sought certification for scheduled airline operations.
“Providing a bus to serve as an aircraft in a simulated crash is certainly not an everyday request, and we are grateful that Durham was willing to work with us to make it happen,” said Karen Adkins, the city’s emergency management administrator, in the company’s release. “The partnership helped create a realistic training environment for our first responders while also providing the transportation needed to complete the student actors’ exercise experience.”
Adkins also recognized Durham field trip coordinator Chante’ Saunders and the two bus drivers who transported participants. She credited Saunders’ coordination and communication, along with the drivers’ professionalism, flexibility and positive attitudes, with helping ensure students were transported safely.
The buses supported separate portions of the exercise, providing responders with a vehicle for the simulated crash scene and helping complete the student actors’ participation after their hospital transport.
The airport received its FAA Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, which was presented Sept. 24, according to the city. The certification confirms compliance with federal airport safety and emergency response requirements and clears the airport to accommodate scheduled commercial passenger flights.
Those requirements cover aircraft rescue and firefighting capabilities, runway safety areas, airfield lighting and markings, fueling safety, wildlife hazard management, and snow and ice procedures. FAA personnel inspected the airport in September as part of the certification process, the city said.
Commercial passenger service is scheduled to begin Nov. 11 with Avelo Airlines, coinciding with the opening of the airport’s new passenger terminal.
“It was an honor to be able to support such an important safety initiative for the McKinney National Airport and our community,” said Barlow Lindsey, Durham’s general manager. “Knowing that our support has contributed to such a momentous achievement for the airport makes us exceptionally proud.”
Lindsey also thanked his team for its professionalism and work supporting the exercise. Durham said its participation included supplying the buses, coordinating transportation and providing drivers to help meet the exercise’s logistical needs.
The company provided the support through Partners Beyond the Bus, its community outreach program. Durham said the partnership reflected its emphasis on safety, service and community involvement, while giving its transportation team an opportunity to assist first responders preparing for a complex emergency.
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The post Durham School Services Supports Airport Emergency Exercise in Texas appeared first on School Transportation News.
Four school buses parked outside a Jewish school or Yeshiva in Brooklyn were found covered with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti Monday morning, prompting an investigation by the New York Police Department’s Hate Crimes Task Force, reported NY Post.
According to the news report, the buses were outside the United Talmudical Academy of Williamsburg near Bedford Avenue. Someone affiliated with the school discovered the vandalism around 9:50 a.m. Monday and called 911.
Images of the graffiti showed profanity directed at Jews and Israel, along with the phrases “Free Palestine” and “America First.” The symbols and messages were applied with black spray paint.
NYPD officers responded to the scene. No arrests had been reported as of Monday night, and no suspect descriptions were immediately available.
Photographs reportedly showed graffiti across the sides of the yellow buses, including above or over Hebrew lettering identifying their operators. A swastika also was painted on the hood of at least one bus.
City officials condemned the vandalism. Phylisa Wisdom, executive director of the mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, said the administration was in contact with police and community leaders.
“No Jewish New Yorker should have to live with the threat of hatred and intimidation,” Wisdom said.
The discovery came less than a month after the same yeshiva received a telephone bomb threat Oct. 9, authorities said. That call followed a similar threat against Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School minutes earlier.
Both schools were reportedly evacuated as a precaution. Members of the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit and police dog teams searched the buildings and determined they were safe.
The NYPD reported last month that hate crimes increased nearly 13 percent during the first nine months of the year compared with the same period a year earlier. Anti-Jewish incidents reportedly represented more than half of the total.
Written with the assistance of AI.
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LAS VEGAS, Nev. – ACT Expo today announced the opening of early bird registration and released its 2027 conference agenda, bringing together the technologies, strategies, and real-world fleet experiences operators need to improve performance and protect their bottom line. Taking place May 17–20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, ACT Expo 2027 brings together fleet operators, shippers, vehicle manufacturers, technology innovators, and industry leaders for a comprehensive program spanning advanced vehicle technologies, diesel and alternative fuels, AI, automation, fleet safety, infrastructure, and operational efficiency.
Designed for the entire fleet leadership team—from operations and maintenance to safety, technology, finance, IT, and sustainability—the agenda tackles the decisions that directly impact fleet performance and profitability. At the top of fleet concerns, U.S. on-highway diesel prices reached a record weekly average of $6.53 per gallon in September 2026, with prices projected to remain elevated through 2027, highlighting the need for technologies and strategies that address the issue. ACT Expo’s program uniquely combines the latest technology innovations with real-world fleet results, giving attendees the insights they need to make confident purchasing and investment decisions.
“With fuel and operating costs continuing to climb, and the technological complexity of today’s commercial vehicles ever-increasing, fleet leaders can’t afford to stand still,” said Erik Neandross, founder of ACT Expo. “Every investment decision matters, and understanding which technologies can deliver real savings and operational improvements has never been more critical. ACT Expo brings together the technologies, industry leaders, and real-world fleet experiences that operators need to reduce costs, improve performance, and stay competitive. This isn’t just a sustainability conversation anymore; it’s a business imperative.”
2027 Program Highlights
Shaped by input from ACT Expo’s Fleet Planning Committee, whose members collectively manage hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicles, and other industry stakeholders, the 2027 agenda focuses on the technologies, operational challenges, and investment decisions that matter most to fleets. Programming will examine how fleets are:
• Reducing fuel and operating costs through advancements in diesel technology, aerodynamics, vehicle efficiency, right-sizing, telematics, and AI-enabled fleet management.
• Using AI, connected vehicle data, and predictive technologies to improve maintenance, asset utilization, uptime, safety, and operational decision-making.
• Deploying autonomy in real-world fleet operations, with a focus on what early commercial applications are revealing about safety, productivity, workforce impacts, and scalability.
• Navigating changing vehicle and emissions requirements, including the operational, maintenance, purchasing, and replacement-cycle implications of next-generation engines.
• Improving fleet safety and reducing risk through advanced driver assistance systems, AI-enabled safety tools, vehicle technology, and better use of fleet data.
• Building stronger business cases for technology investments, with sessions focused on total cost of ownership, vehicle-to-mission matching, deployment economics, and measurable ROI.
• Evaluating the right technologies for the right applications, including diesel, natural gas, electric, hybrid, hydrogen, and other emerging powertrain solutions.
• Supply, cost, and access to alternative fuels, including renewable diesel, biodiesel, and traditional and renewable natural gas, hydrogen and propane.
• Scaling EV infrastructure and overcoming energy challenges, including scaling operations, temporary and megawatt charging solutions, energy management, utility coordination, and new technologies.
The program features real-world fleet case studies, C-suite perspectives, technical workshops and sector-specific discussions. Visit www.actexpo.com/agenda to view the full program.
Continuing Education Credit
For the second consecutive year, ACT Expo will offer continuing education credit opportunities for fleet professionals. In 2026, more than 25 conference sessions and 10 workshops were approved for credit through NAFA Fleet Management Association and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). Details on eligible 2027 sessions and workshops will be announced as they are finalized.
Expo Hall and Ride & Drive
The ACT Expo exhibit hall, open May 18-19, will feature more than 400 exhibitors and sponsors, over 200 advanced commercial vehicles, and one of the industry’s most comprehensive showcases of technologies transforming commercial transportation. Attendees can explore the latest light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, commercial vans, buses, and off-road equipment alongside innovations in AI, autonomous driving, fleet management, vehicle efficiency, safety, alternative fuels, and charging infrastructure.
The expansive exhibit floor gives fleet operators a unique opportunity to compare competing solutions side by side, connect directly with manufacturers and technology providers, and identify the products and partners best suited to their operations. The Expo Hall Theater will also feature product demonstrations and discussions highlighting emerging technologies.
The ACT Expo Ride & Drive takes the experience a step further, putting attendees behind the wheel of the latest advanced commercial vehicles. Fleet operators can experience vehicle performance, handling, safety features, and driver comfort firsthand, with manufacturer representatives available to answer questions about range, maintenance, infrastructure requirements, and total cost of ownership.
Registration and New Team Offers
Registration is open at https://www.actexpo.com/register, with early bird rates through December 11, 2026. Fleets and shippers can now bring more of their team for less, with two new registration offers:
• Fleet & Shipper Team Package: Buy two passes and receive additional qualifying team passes complimentary
• First-Time Fleet and Shipper Offer: Qualified fleets and shippers may be eligible for a complimentary pass
ACT Expo 2027 is supported by presenting sponsors Daimler Truck North America, Penske Transportation Solutions, and Geotab. Visit www.actexpo.com to register and learn more.
About ACT Expo
ACT Expo is North America’s largest fleet technology conference and expo, covering the vehicles, fuels, infrastructure, and digital technologies that improve commercial fleet performance. Produced by WSP, and recognized by Trade Show Executive magazine as one of the nation’s Gold 100 events, ACT Expo brings together fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure providers, and technology developers to share emerging solutions to the most pressing challenges and opportunities in commercial transportation, especially decarbonization. ACT Expo hosts approximately 10,000 attendees from 50+ countries, 275+ speakers, 200+ vehicles on display, and 400+ exhibitors and sponsors. www.actexpo.com
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