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Prioritize Your Professional Growth

By: Tony Corpin

17 November 2025 at 18:48

As the fall approaches, it’s an opportune time to prioritize your individual and team’s professional growth. Two upcoming conferences in particular—the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference and the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs (TSD) Conference—offer invaluable opportunities to sharpen leadership skills, stay updated on industry trends, and forge meaningful connections. These events are essential for professionals aiming to excel in the dynamic field of school transportation.

The NAPT ACTS, scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 4 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, embraces the theme, “Driven by safety, guided by professional development.” The NAPT website states the event unites industry leaders with a shared goal: Ensuring safe and efficient transportation for every student. Attendees can expect Professional Development Series (PDS) training, discussions on industry challenges, and networking opportunities. The trade show provides an opportunity to explore solutions and connect with peers. Don’t miss the chance to visit booth #619 to meet the School Transportation News team and build new relationships that could shape your career.

You can also learn more about STN EXPO EAST in Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina on March 26-31, 2026. Meanwhile, the TSD Conference, taking place Nov. 6-11 in Dallas/Frisco, Texas, focuses specifically on transporting students with disabilities and special needs, providing hands-on safety training. This conference stands out for its specialized training and technology offerings, featuring four keynote speakers covering topics on student behavior and legal challenges and over two-dozen expert-led workshops. Attendees can also participate in the roadeo competition and the Technology Demonstration & Ride & Drive Experience on Friday, Nov.7. During the latter event, supplier partners and OEMs will showcase cutting-edge tools designed to enhance student safety and success.

The TSD Conference delves into best practices for supporting students with disabilities, offering insights that elevate both professional expertise and personal growth. By learning from seasoned professionals, attendees gain practical strategies to improve transportation services tailored to unique student needs. As one transportation director shared, “Conferences like TSD are vital for professional growth. They provide a platform to expand knowledge, develop skills and stay ahead of industry advancements. The networking and trade show sessions allowed me to exchange innovative ideas, build connections and gain insights critical for improving services, especially for students with disabilities and special needs.”

Beyond knowledge acquisition, these conferences foster collaboration and innovation. Trade shows expose participants to emerging technologies and potential partnerships, enabling them to integrate new tools into their operations. Engaging with exhibitors and fellow professionals sparks creative solutions to current challenges, ensuring school transportation remains efficient and student success focused. These interactions often lead to long-term collaborations that benefit both individuals and their organizations.

Conferences also offer enriching personal experiences. They provide a space to reconnect with colleagues, form new relationships and expand professional networks. These connections can lead to future opportunities, innovative problem-solving and collaborations that drive progress in school districts. The blend of professional development and meaningful networking creates a dynamic environment where attendees leave inspired and equipped to lead.

For those committed to advancing their careers, attending these conferences is a strategic investment. The NAPT and TSD conferences deliver actionable insights, access to industry leaders and motivation from inspiring speakers. They empower professionals to stay at the forefront of an evolving industry while building skills that directly impact student safety and success. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to the field, these conferences offer tools to help you grow both personally and professionally.

I encourage you to seize this opportunity by registering for the TSD Conference in Frisco, Texas. Visit tsdconference.com/agenda for details on the keynote speakers, educational sessions and networking events. The schedule is packed with opportunities to learn, connect and grow.

Investing in professional development through conferences like NAPT, TSD Conference and STN EXPO yields significant returns for both individuals and organizations. These events provide a platform to acquire new knowledge, build lasting connections and draw inspiration from industry pioneers. For anyone dedicated to advancing their career and improving school transportation, attending these conferences is a critical step toward achieving lasting success. By prioritizing professional growth, you are positioning you and your team to lead with confidence in an ever-changing school transportation industry.

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

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School Zone: Safety Risks Surge

School Transportation News

By: Tony Corpin

13 October 2025 at 19:04

As schools reopen, students are flooding back to campuses on foot, bicycles, cars and school buses, bringing with them a spike in safety risks. The chaotic rush of drop-offs and pickups creates a perfect storm of traffic congestion, stressed drivers and heightened dangers around school zones.

With nearly 60 percent of parents citing concerns about school bus safety, pedestrian crossings and traffic management, according to a 2024 National Association of Elementary School Principals survey, the start of the
school year underscores safety challenges.

The frenzied pace of these early weeks amplifies risks, as distracted or hurried drivers navigate crowded school zones, increasing the likelihood of crashes. Data from Safe Kids Worldwide notes one in three drivers engage in unsafe behaviors during school drop-offs, while a 2024 National Center for Education Statistics survey noted 38 percent of school leaders see traffic patterns as a threat to student safety.

The question looms: Have safety measures kept pace with the growing hazards of the 2025 school start-up season?

According to the most recent National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services one day illegal passing survey, 218,000 illegal passing incidents were reported by 114,471 school bus drivers, or 31 percent of the nation’s total. These drivers reported a total of 69,408 vehicles passed their buses illegally. Extrapolated for a 180-day school year across all 50 states, 39.3 million illegal passes occur. The one-day count does represent a 13-percent decrease over last year’s 45.2 million but illegal passing remains a massive safety issue.

Last month, the Automobile Club of Southern California, an affiliate of AAA, shared specific tips for navigating school zones safely on social network X. It specifically advised “Watch for School Buses” and reminded drivers to slow down when a school bus yellow lights flash and to stop completely when red lights flash and the stop arm is extended.

AAA also emphasizes eliminating distractions like phone use, as distracted driving contributes to 4,000 to 8,000 crashes daily across the U.S. Drivers should put phones on “Do Not Disturb” or pull over safely to respond to urgent calls or texts.

Jeff Cassell from the School Bus Safety Company recently reminded me of behavioral norms, or the way we act without thinking about it. Norms are very powerful and govern most of what we do. For example, a safe driver always tries to stay at least four seconds in distance behind the vehicle they are following. They do this automatically as a norm. Cassell said following from a safe distance is an important practice, but there are dozens more safe practices we need to implement.

After extensive studies, he’s clearly identified 22 unsafe behaviors that lead to almost every crash. Cassell provided several recommendations to help prevent crashes around school buses. He emphasized minimizing student street crossings whenever possible, educating students on safe crossing practices, informing parents about these procedures, ensuring school bus drivers enforce them, and considering an extended stop arm.

Cassell also suggested specific morning and afternoon guidelines for students and parents. In the morning, students should wait at least 10 feet (five big steps) from the edge of the roadway, look at the bus driver after the bus stops, cross only when signaled by the driver, and walk directly across without running. In the afternoon, students should walk 10 feet away from the bus, move 10 feet ahead of the bus or crossing arm at the front of the bus, look at the driver and cross only when signaled. They should always check for traffic and wait if uncertain about moving vehicles. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of crossing accidents.

I recommend highlighting School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 20-24. It’s a great time to bring awareness to the dangers that exist around schools and school buses.

Also, NHTSA recently released updated School Bus Safety Resources, including shareable graphics, videos and statistics. Visit www.nhtsa.gov/school-buses to download the materials.

Leadership training around safety starts with leaders like you who can influence a culture of safety. I recommend you reinforce positive behaviors and establish norms to keep your school bus drivers, kids and parents updated about safe behaviors around the school bus. Safety and the elimination of risk should always be a main priority.

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

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Moments Matter

School Transportation News

By: Tony Corpin

2 September 2025 at 17:56

Wow, I learned a lot last month at the STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada. Over 1,000 school transportation professionals joined a dynamic convergence of training, networking and innovation while exploring cutting-edge solutions, sharing best practices, and inspiring transformative change in school transportation.

Among the standout moments were keynote addresses by Jon Petz, the “Amazement Artist,” and Jim Schiffler, a veteran transportation leader. Together, their insights provided actionable strategies for fostering engagement, leadership and operational excellence

The Transportation Director Summit in Lake Tahoe featured Petz’s “Rules of Amazement,” a framework for transforming mundane interactions into meaningful, memorable experiences. During his four-part executive leadership workshop, Petz explored personal branding, the power of focus versus perspective, and embracing simple solutions. His presentation resonated deeply with school transportation leaders, emphasizing the profound impact of small, intentional actions, when every moment with students, parents or colleagues matters.

Two days later, Petz delivered his keynote address to the full conference on “Igniting Significance Through Simple Moments,” weaving a unique blend of business leadership,
inspiration and magical entertainment.

Petz opened with a personal, childhood story about learning a magic trick from his father, a fleeting moment that forged a lasting emotional connection. He also shared a memory of his own school bus driver, Mr. Pope, whose kindness left an indelible mark. Petz challenged attendees to ask themselves, “Do I perform to create an amazing moment, or do I perform just enough to get by?” This question struck a chord in an industry often fraught with stress and high stakes, urging professionals to reimagine their daily touch-points. These can be greeting a student, resolving a parent’s concern, or mentoring a colleague.

He shared another story about performing magic for a critically ill child named Nathan, illustrating how saying “yes” to a single opportunity created a transformative moment. Petz distributed seven of hearts cards to the audience, symbolizing his hope to reconnect with Nathan’s family someday, and encouraged attendees to seize similar moments in their work. Petz’s presentation moved the audience to tears and ended with a standing ovation.

The message was clear. Safety and trust are paramount in school transportation. Small acts of connection can build engaged, passionate teams and foster lasting trust with communities. Petz left attendees inspired to elevate their performance and create wow moments that drive team morale and student safety.

The next day’s keynote by Jim Schiffler, retired president of Minnesota bus dealer North Central Bus & Equipment, delivered a compelling session based on his book, “Stepping Up: From Valued Employee to Supervisor.” Schiffler addressed the complex challenges of transitioning a valued employee into a supervisory role, a common hurdle for school transportation professionals moving into leadership positions. His session provided actionable insights for identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders in
an industry facing driver shortages and evolving operational demands. The insights were particularly relevant in addressing the challenge of promoting drivers and support
staff into supervisory roles while maintaining team cohesion and operational efficiency.

Schiffler emphasized the importance of organizational culture, drawing from his success in creating environments where employees feel safe, respected and valued. He said talented individuals are often dissuaded from stepping into leadership roles out of fear they are not “good enough.” He offered a roadmap for overcoming these doubts, focusing on practical steps to build confidence and competence. Schiffler’s strategies included fostering open communication, recognizing individual contributions and aligning personal growth with organizational goals.

Schiffler’s session highlighted the need for intentional mentorship and training to prepare employees to lead. He shared real-world examples, illustrating how empowering
employees to “make a difference” not only boosts morale but also enhances safety and service quality. His approach resonated with attendees tasked with managing diverse
teams under tight budgets and regulatory pressures. He offered a blueprint for cultivating leaders able to navigate the industry’s unique challenges.

The transformative power of leadership and connection in school transportation inspired attendees to harness simple moments and to build trust and engagement, directly impacting student experiences and team dynamics. Petz’s and Schiffler’s insights offered strategies to enhance safety, improve operations and foster a culture of purpose and excellence. By applying these lessons, school transportation professionals can drive meaningful change that benefit their students.

We all have the power to transform simple everyday tasks into significant and impactful contributions. Encourage and empower your team to be what Petz called, “Showtime Ready.” This is a trusted method of achieving peak performance and driving toward a shared goal of student success.

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

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Smart Buses, Smarter Outcomes

School Transportation News

By: Tony Corpin

4 August 2025 at 18:03

The school bus is evolving. With the integration of AI, data analytics and adaptive learning technologies, school buses are no longer vehicles for student transport alone they’re becoming smart and connected learning environments.

By reimagining school transportation operations, school districts can enhance safety, drive operational efficiency and engage their communities in new and meaningful ways.

Imagine a school bus that adapts to traffic in real time, monitors student behavior for safety, connects students to personalized learning content via Wi-Fi and provides
predictive insights to transportation directors and their teams. This is no longer science fiction it’s the new direction school transportation is headed, powered by AI.

Today’s cutting-edge tools are creating a more intelligent, impactful ride. AI-enabled routing software analyzes traffic, weather, construction and student addresses to create the most time and fuel efficient routes. The integration of onboard tablets allows for turn-by-turn directions and student manifests. These systems adapt in real time, helping buses avoid delays and improve on-time performance, while also helping to cut fuel use, reduce emissions and improve operational costs.

Onboard video systems on school buses aren’t new, but the use of AI software is. Most video systems offer software to help enhance detection of unsafe behavior like bullying or fights. Real-time alerts allow quick intervention to potentially prevent a situation from escalating. Looking at specific areas of interest on the school bus is a real need, and this can be done with enhanced software tools. Hours of recorded video footage and making time to review it effectively is an overwhelming task. But AI software could help tackle this challenge sooner than you realize.

Student tracking and parent communication is mission critical in a modern school transportation system. Parents and school officials are notified instantly when a student boards or exits the bus, bolstering both accountability and peace of mind.

Personalized onboard learning is more important than ever thanks to Wi-Fi. School districts can offer a variety of online learning platforms on mobile devices during school bus commute, turning down time into a valuable part of the learning day. Keep in mind the E-Rate funding for this technology is still available. I’d recommend taking action today to secure it. We don’t know what the future holds for the federal program.

Other connected technology solutions include predictive maintenance and vehicle health paired with AI. This technology can forecast mechanical issues before they become costly failures. Fleet managers receive alerts about maintenance needs, from brake wear to battery life, allowing for proactive servicing. Solution benefits included reduced breakdowns, extended vehicle lifespan and lower overall maintenance costs.

AI-assisted advanced driver systems (ADAS) is the future already realized. ADAS alerts drivers about lane departures, hard braking or following distances, helping reduce crashes. Additionally, AI-generated reports help with training and performance reviews. Fewer crashes mean fewer insurance claims. The other outcomes could be improved driver retention, safer driving habits and reduced stress.

Fleets should consider utilizing more data-driven decision making in their operations. AI platforms collect and analyze transportation data to identify trends, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. Dashboards visualize everything from ridership to route efficiency to behavior incidents, helping administrators make informed decisions. Improved operations, better budgeting and resource allocation allow for stronger alignment with academic goals.

By leveraging AI and emerging technologies, school districts are turning the daily commute into a strategic asset.

As technology adoption increases, data security is also vital. IT departments are now highly involved with technology purchasing for school transportation. As a result, IT professionals are requesting secured storage and enterprise level software solutions due to the increased issue of school data breaches. These types of solutions are significantly more expensive than the traditional lower budget solutions we are accustomed to.

The road to and from school can be a dynamic, data-rich, student-focused part of the educational journey. This transformation goes beyond efficiency it enhances student safety, supports learning and empowers transportation teams with the tools they need to succeed. This is a future to get excited about!

Editor’s Note: Reprinted from the July 2025 issue of School Transportation News.

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