The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council and Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing of Wisconsin are raising concerns about a policy that restricts when phone calls from prisoners can be recorded.
The post Wisconsin bans journalists from recording prison phone calls, raising transparency concerns appeared first on WPR.
We examine a school bus shooting in Pennsylvania, how the federal BUILD 250 Act would cut Safe Streets and Roads for All funding, and transportation’s role in student absenteeism.
Speaker, author and branding expert Bruce Turkel shares why it’s important for school bus operations to build a brand in an age of increasing multi-modality, discusses leveraging emotions over facts to reach the right audience, and previews his musical STN EXPO West training in July.
Read more about operations.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
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The post (STN Podcast E310) The School Bus Ecosystem: Adapting to Multi-modality & Building a Brand appeared first on School Transportation News.
Summer break is upon us but student transporters are already ramping up for the new school year amid financial challenges. Plus, the June issue of School Transportation News magazine is out, and a camera caught a scary illegal passing incident that injured a student in Florida.
Ryan Hahn, owner of Strategic School Consultants and a former transportation director, sheds light on current school district financial hardships, creative and collaborative operational strategies, and his upcoming sessions on the topic at STN EXPO West this July.
Read more about operations.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
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The post (STN Podcast E309) Summer’s Here & So Is a Budget Cliff: Advocating for Transportation Solutions appeared first on School Transportation News.
Students at Madison Country Day School in Waunakee released the first edition of the Prairie Hawk Press, a student newspaper they wrote, designed and printed this semester.
The post High schoolers tackle a new media frontier: a newspaper appeared first on WPR.
We analyze what 188 school districts shared in a survey about fuel prices, the impact of world events and the upcoming Clean School Bus Program, timely discussion planned for STN EXPO West in July, and a California school bus driver recognized by the state.
With 10 years’ experience in the industry, Griffin Scott, supervisor of fleet advisory and analytics at RTA: The Fleet Success Company, discusses technology and AI trends, fleet management solutions, the impact of bell times, electrification developments and more.
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The post (STN Podcast E308) Past & Future: Fuel Volatility, 10 Years of School Transportation Trends appeared first on School Transportation News.
We discuss fuel cost anxiety and the impact of a proposed federal fuel tax suspension, plus safety lessons to learn from the latest student pedestrian fatality in New York City.
What should you consider before buying a bus? Isaac Linson, CEO of BusesForSale.com, joins us to discuss current school bus market trends and tips for buying or selling buses remotely.
Read more about operations.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
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The post (STN Podcast E307) Buy With Confidence: Fuel Price Frustration, School Bus Buying Tips appeared first on School Transportation News.
Tony and Ryan discuss takeaways from the ACT EXPO this past week in Las Vegas, which took a deep dive into clean fuel choices, autonomous vehicles, robotics in manufacturing, electrification interest and more.
Director of Transportation Anthony Jackson joins us to discuss the operational, cost and health benefits of propane usage at Bibb County School District in Georgia.
Read more about green buses.
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The post (STN Podcast E306) Sci-Fi School Bus? ACT EXPO Takeaways on Tech, Robots, Propane & More appeared first on School Transportation News.
The Wisconsin-based YouTube channel Code Blue Cam has more than 3 million subscribers and 1.15 billion total views.
The post A Wisconsin YouTube channel makes big money from police body cam videos. Is it educational? appeared first on WPR.
More U.S. Environmental Protection Agency news and webinars on funding, plus how clean energy demand intersects with AI’s need for resources. Conversations continue at ACT EXPO this week and the Green Bus Summit at STN EXPO West in July.
“The tragedy will never leave you.” Shocking real-life stories abound in this special extended episode as 91-year-old industry legend and consultant Richard “Dick” Fischer underscores the need for thorough safety leadership and training. He discusses student transportation history, school bus crashes in the news, drunk and criminal drivers, illegal passing and the Danger Zone. See him live at STN EXPO West and email him to sign up for his free safety newsletter.
Read more about safety and access safety resources.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
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The post (STN Podcast E305) It’s Your Job: Industry Legend Dick Fischer Talks School Bus Safety, Training appeared first on School Transportation News.
For most student transportation teams, the day-to-day reality is a short-staffed operation managing complex logistics that families depend on. The 2026 State of Student Transportation Report captures exactly that.
In February 2026, Zonar and School Transportation News surveyed 118 transportation professionals across the U.S. The results confirmed what many already know from experience: staffing is stretched, budgets are tight, and the technology teams have isn’t always translating into action.
Join Zonar and a panel of experts for a live walkthrough of the report’s findings. We’ll dig into what the data shows, where the industry is heading, and what it means for your operation this year. Get direct insights from the perspective of providers, districts and consultants.
Brought to you by Zonar
REGISTER BELOW:
Featured speakers:
Tony Harris
Director of Transportation
Monongalia County Schools
Tony Harris brings more than two decades of firsthand experience to his role as Transportation Director at Monongalia County Schools in Morgantown, West Virginia. He spent 18 years as a school bus driver in Preston County before moving into administration, navigating mountain roads, narrow lanes, and harsh winter conditions before transitioning to overseeing the operation. Today he manages more than130 drivers across over 100 routes, providing daily transportation for roughly 9,500 students across both urban Morgantown and the rural reaches of the county.
Harris has been an active champion of new transportation technology, including piloting electric buses in the district and developing driver recruitment and training programs to address workforce challenges.
Rachel Trindade
Chief Marketing Officer
Zonar
With more than 25 years in marketing and 15+ years in logistics, Rachel has helped companies drive significant growth faster than industry norms. At Zonar, she leads marketing and demand generation.
Before joining Zonar, Rachel served as CMO at FlavorCloud and Extensiv, and led global marketing at Teletrac Navman (Vontier) across four continents. She holds a BBA from the University of Texas at Austin and has been recognized as a leading Woman in Supply Chain by Supply & Demand Chain Executive and named California’s Most Visionary Tech CMO by CEO Monthly.
Tim Ammon
Owner
Ammon Consulting Group, LLC
Tim Ammon has spent more than 25 years supporting transportation and fleet operations, working with more than 500 organizations across three countries. His work focuses on identifying opportunities to improve operational performance through process improvements, technology adoption, and personnel practices, consistently helping organizations bridge the gap between desired and actual performance.
Tim has also provided extensive professional development services in leadership and management, decision-making, organizational resilience, and cost and technical analysis. He holds a Master of Public Administration from American University and certifications in School Risk Management, Operational Risk Management, and Change Management.
The post (Free Webinar) 2026 State of Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.
Safety and training are forefront as the NTSB is investigating a Tennessee school bus crash that killed two teenage girls and an Oregon school bus driver was arrested for allegedly transporting students while intoxicated. Plus, new Clean School Bus program details are incoming, just in time for STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada this July.
Jim Levine, founder of the School Transportation Active Threat Response Training, or S.T.A.R.T., joins us to discuss how school bus drivers can serve as the first line of defense against threats by interacting kindly with students and becoming trained on response tactics. His team brings its law enforcement, Secret Service, SWAT and School Resource Officer experience to an upcoming 4-hour training at STN EXPO West.
Read more about security.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
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The post (STN Podcast E304) Bus Drivers as First Responders: School Transportation Active Threat Response Training appeared first on School Transportation News.
We cover industry shoutouts, conference connections, a terrifying bus vs. train encounter and Diesel Emissions Reduction Act updates.
“One thing about transportation [is] it’s never boring.” Transportation Supervisor Melody Best offers a behind-the-scenes look at how operations are handled in Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Alaska amid adverse weather, multiple school closures, budget cuts, technology needs and even moose in the road. She also shares the benefits of participating in the STN EXPO East Mentorship Program in Charlotte, North Carolina last month.
Read more about operations.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
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The post (STN Podcast E303) Moose in the Road: Making School Bus Operations Work in Alaska appeared first on School Transportation News.
When a student experiencing homelessness moves in the middle of the night, how quickly can your district get them a ride to school the next morning? When a student with an IEP can’t be adequately served by a traditional bus route, who do you call — and what happens if they don’t show up?
For most transportation directors, solving for the most complex student needs consumes 95% of your time. McKinney-Vento compliance, IEP mandates, chronic absenteeism, driver shortages, and the everyday scramble of last-minute changes don’t slow down — and neither can you.
Join School Transportation News and HopSkipDrive for a candid, peer-led conversation on how districts are rethinking their transportation mix to serve every student — not just the ones the yellow bus can reach. You’ll hear directly from a McKinney-Vento Coordinator and a Director of Pupil Transportation and Fleet Management who have navigated these challenges firsthand, alongside a HopSkipDrive transportation analyst who has sat on both sides of the table.
We’ll dig into the real costs and tradeoffs of different transportation operating models — Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), brokers, and taxis — and explore what a smarter, multimodal approach can mean for attendance, compliance, and the students who need you most. You’ll leave this webinar with:
This content is brought to you by HopSkipDrive
Claire Bergman
McKinney-Vento Coordinator
Sun Prairie Area School District (WI)
Claire Bergman currently serves as the McKinney-Vento Coordinator for the Sun Prairie Area School District, where she is dedicated to removing barriers to education for students experiencing housing instability. With a deep passion for policy reform and systems-level change, she focuses on strengthening districtwide support frameworks to ensure equitable outcomes for vulnerable students and their families. Ms. Bergman holds a Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago.
MeChale’ Johnson
Director, Office of Pupil Transportation and Fleet Management
Alexandria City Public Schools (VA)
MeChale’ Johnson is the Director of Pupil Transportation and Fleet Management for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). For the past four years, she has overseen a fleet of 124 school buses and more than 85 passenger vehicles, ensuring the safe and reliable transportation of students to and from school each day. Her operation also provides specialized transportation services for students with unique needs through partnerships with contracted public carrier vendors. Prior to joining ACPS, Ms. Johnson served as the Director of Transportation for Falls Church City Public Schools. She possesses more than 15 years of experience in transportation management, beginning her career at the University of Maryland (UMD), where she supervised transportation services that supported university students commuting to campus from surrounding counties and local communities. She also spent several years in public mass transit leadership with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Ms. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Greg Dutton
Senior Transportation Analyst
HopSkipDrive
Former Director of Transportation
Renton School District (WA)
Greg Dutton is a Senior Transportation Analyst at HopSkipDrive with nearly three decades of experience spanning transportation operations and technology leadership. Greg brings a uniquely informed perspective to his role — having first engaged with HopSkipDrive on the client side as Director of Transportation at Renton School District in Washington State, he has a deep understanding of the daily struggles and tough decisions facing school transportation professionals, including issues related to the national school bus driver shortage. In that role, Greg led all aspects of the district’s transportation department — from personnel management and route planning to budget administration, safety, and fleet operations. Prior to that, Greg held the role of Assistant Director of Transportation, overseeing daily operations, accident investigations, and coordination with law enforcement and community stakeholders. He holds an MBA in Telecommunications Management from Alaska Pacific University, a BA in Telecommunications from Texas Tech University, and an AA in Mass Communications from Amarillo College.
The post (Free Webinar) Beyond the Bus: Comparing Transportation Models for Serving Today’s Most Complex Student Needs appeared first on School Transportation News.
Michelle Summers was a part of both the Transportation Director Summit and the inaugural STN EXPO Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program at the STN EXPO East conference. She joined Senior Editor Taylor Ekbatani on the School Transportation Nation Podcast to share the impact of networking within the industry, discover new solutions, take actionable strategies and meaningful relationships from the STN EXPO East conference back to her district.
Listen to STN Podcast E300: Fuse Your Ideas: Connection & Innovation at STN EXPO East 2026.
Related: WATCH: STN EXPO East 2026
Related: (STN Podcast E301) STN EXPO East: Connection, Leadership & Quality Transportation Products
Related: Transportation Directors Receive Rock Star Training on Driver Retention
The post WATCH: Michelle Summers on the School Transportation Nation Podcast appeared first on School Transportation News.
Conversations on a fatal Tennessee school bus crash that killed two girls last month, a new funding strategies playbook that includes transportation opportunities, and the National School Bus Inspection Training Program offered at STN EXPO East and STN EXPO West.
Keith Corso identified operational challenges while riding his high school bus, then went on to co-found technology provider BusRight. Now as CEO, he discusses tools to support student transporters and recent success at Poughkeepsie City School District in New York.
Read more about operations.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
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Conversation with BusRight.
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The post (STN Podcast E302) Technology Tools for Bus Drivers: No More Struggling with Paper Route Sheets appeared first on School Transportation News.
The 2026 STN EXPO East conference in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina featured six days of the best in student transportation training, exciting networking experiences and insightful educational sessions. Check out the videos that captured the real-time energy and events of the conference.
Stay tuned for more coverage on this and our other 2026 conferences, STN EXPO West and Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD).
Related: (STN Podcast E300) Fuse Your Ideas: Connection & Innovation at STN EXPO East 2026
Related: Gallery: STN EXPO East Tech Demos and Ride & Drive at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Related: Culture That Rocks: Turning Everyday Moments into Unforgettable Experiences
The post WATCH: STN EXPO East 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.
Tony and Taylor review the most compelling takeaways from STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina this past week. From rock star leadership and workplace culture advice, to a bus mirror training that went viral, to the latest in cutting edge tech shown on the Trade Show floor, attendees and vendors connected in meaningful ways.
Last year, bus window and glass provider Lippert acquired seating supplier Freedman Seating and HVAC manufacturer Trans/Air. Dan Cohen, vice president of sales for Lippert’s transportation products group, and Austin Lehnert, regional sales manager for Trans/Air by Lippert, join us to share new safety technology innovations.
Read more STN EXPO East coverage.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
Message from School Radio.
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The post (STN Podcast E301) STN EXPO East: Connection, Leadership & Quality Transportation Products appeared first on School Transportation News.
Christopher Faust, transportation director for Sangamon Valley CUSD #9 in Illinois and John Daniels, vice president of marketing for Transfinder, discuss utilizing multiple “finder” technologies to assist in operational and procurement challenges at the district.
They also share how and why to participate in the Top Transportation Teams challenge, which is led by Transfinder and currently accepting signups.
Marty Savino, national account manager for School-Radio, explains communications upgrades that districts can make for increased safety and security during incidents like school shootings.
Michelle Summers, assistant director of transportation for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Texas, discusses the value of coming to conferences and participating in the inaugural STN Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, as well as superintendent relationships and technology upgrades.
Read more STN EXPO East coverage.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
Conversation with School Radio.
Stream, subscribe and download the School Transportation Nation podcast on Apple Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Spotify and YouTube.
The post (STN Podcast E300) Fuse Your Ideas: Connection & Innovation at STN EXPO East 2026 appeared first on School Transportation News.
Learn more about our upcoming April magazine, inflation and fuel prices, internet for school buses, record revenue for Zum, district efforts amid ICE enforcement, and a driver dressing to impress.
Michael Signer, chief policy and legal officer for EverDriven, discusses the evolution of alternative student transportation from safety and regulatory perspectives to help school districts meet student needs alongside yellow buses.
Read more about operations.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
Conversation with EverDriven.
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The post (STN Podcast E299) Meeting Needs: Answering Questions on Alternative Student Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.
We examine the impact of the war in Iran and Clean School Bus program updates on district fuel choices, as well as a Pennsylvania school bus driver arrested after driving over 50 students while intoxicated.
We are joined by Nate Springer, vice president of market development at TRC Companies, the presenter of the upcoming Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) EXPO. He unpacks the reasoning behind various fuel choices available to school districts today and funding options amid changes to the Clean School Bus program.
Read more about green buses.
This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.
Message from EverDriven.
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The post (STN Podcast E298) Green Evolution: Clean Bus, Fuel Choice Updates for Transportation Directors appeared first on School Transportation News.
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