Lexus has stepped up for Californian residents who are ineligible for the MyFirstEV Program discounts, announcing an incentive it hopes will drive sales of the all-electric RZ and the new ES EV.

Under the MyFirstEV Program, shoppers receive an instant rebate of up to $3,500 for new zero-emission vehicles and $1,750 for used models, but only if you’ve never owned a ZEV previously and are a verified California resident, so many locals aren’t eligible. There’s also an MSRP cap of $50,000.

Read: First-Time EV Buyers To Get $3,500 Instant Rebate In California

The MyLexusEV Rebate does not have these same restrictions, providing an instant $2,500 rebate with no MSRP cap, regardless of whether someone is a first-time EV buyer.

The good news doesn’t stop there for interested buyers of the RZ and ES EV. The MyLexusEV Rebate can be stacked with other discounts, including a current $4,000 Lease Cash Incentive for the 2026 RZ, boosting savings up to $6,500, CarsDirect notes. There are currently no other incentives available for the Lexus ES EV.

Lexus is no doubt eager to boost sales of the RZ and ES EV in the United States. Through the first half of this year, 7,814 examples of the RZ had been sold, an impressive 106.8 percent increase from the 3,779 sold in the first half of 2025. By comparison, sales of the ES, which just entered its eighth generation, have slipped 79.7 percent this year to just 3,896, down from 19,181, although this can be largely attributed to the model change, rather than a huge decline in demand. Sales of the all-electric version haven’t been published, but it’s unlikely to sell in numbers to rival the combustion model.

Calaveras Unified School District officials in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills said a school bus driver followed district protocols during a disturbance last month that resulted in a parent allegedly breaking glass on the bus loading door and entering through a window.

Superintendent Kassie Meeks told School Transportation News that the bus had arrived at a scheduled Aug. 24 stop, when the driver took the opportunity to address students about their behavior. There had reportedly been yelling, screaming and other disruptive behavior while the bus was moving.

“Our goal is to ensure that students follow appropriate behavior expectations so the driver can safely operate the bus and maintain the safety of everyone on board,” Meeks said.

Meeks shared that district officials reviewed bus video footage and determined the driver spent approximately four minutes addressing student behavior, reviewing bus expectations and asking students to calm down. During that time, one student exited through a bus window.

Shortly afterward, a parent arrived on the scene and began aggressively banging on the bus loading door, ultimately breaking the glass. Law enforcement was immediately contacted, and the California Highway Patrol was notified because damage to a school bus with students aboard triggers specific state safety protocols, she added.

The parent then climbed through an open bus window while authorities were responding, according to Meeks. An adult outside the bus could also reportedly be heard encouraging students to exit through the windows, and additional students subsequently did so.

Meeks said law enforcement arrived approximately 14 minutes after the bus reached the scheduled stop. Students remaining onboard were directed to stay seated and calm while authorities investigated.

STN contacted the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office for comment about the arrest and circumstances surrounding the incident but had not received a response as of this writing. But according to local news reports citing the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, the parent broke glass while striking the bus door and was arrested on suspicion of vandalism.

Neither the driver nor any students were injured, Meeks confirmed.

The district also disputed claims that students had been held on the bus for more than an hour before the situation escalated.

“Regarding the driver, after reviewing the video footage, the district believes the driver acted appropriately under extremely challenging circumstances,” Meeks said. “His focus remained on student safety, maintaining order and attempting to de-escalate the situation.”

Meeks told STN the driver has returned to the regular route. The bus sustained damage to the glass in its door and underwent repairs.

The district determined the driver followed appropriate protocols and has not identified a need to change its transportation procedures because of the incident, Meeks said. However, she said officials will continue reviewing practices and reinforcing safety expectations with employees and students.

Calaveras County is known for its Giant Sequoias, Mark Twain’s story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and as a key area of mining during the state’s Gold Rush of the mid-1880’s.

---

Related: Missouri Parent Boards School Bus, Tells Child to Assault Another Student
Related: Tennessee Mom Attacks Bus Driver After Son Can’t Get Off Bus
Related: Mother Faces Charges After Allegedly Assaulting School Bus Driver
Related: Iowa Parents Claim School Bus Driver Forced Son Off Miles from Home

The post Parent’s Vandalism Arrest Results from School Bus Disturbance in California Gold Country appeared first on School Transportation News.

Franz von Holzhausen has run Tesla’s design studio since 2008, and most of what people picture when they see a Tesla came off his desk. The Model S is one of those cars, so it makes sense that he took delivery of the definitive version, the Plaid Signature Edition, chassis number #001, the one at the very front of the production line.

More: Tesla’s Hidden Door Handle Drama Could Change Every New Car In America

Before settling in with the car that closes out the Model S story, he drove it to Unplugged Performance in California. The tuner is better known for wheels, brakes, wraps and body kits, but detailing sits on the menu too, and that’s what he was there for. The bodywork he drew more than a decade ago stayed exactly as it left the factory. What he wanted was for it to stay that way.

Preserving His Own Handiwork

Unplugged Performance

While the car was brand-new, the first step was a thorough chemical decontamination wash to remove bonded fallout, iron particles, and transport residue picked up before delivery. Once prepared, the Auto Spa team disassembled parts of the exterior so the film could be applied without a visible seam anywhere.

According to Unplugged Performance, paint protection film acts as a physical barrier that absorbs stone chips, scratches, and minor wear, shielding the factory paint underneath. For Signature Edition #001, that was only the starting point.

Unplugged Performancean

Following careful inspection under dedicated lighting, technicians coated every panel and trim piece with a full ceramic treatment. The extra layer adds hydrophobic properties that repel dirt and make washing easier, while deepening the gloss of the paintwork.

More: The Cybertruck Finally Found Its Natural Habitat, A Fake Desert Planet

Finally, the team covered all glass surfaces with a window film that blocks 99% of ultraviolet radiation and 98% of infrared heat. That keeps the interior out of the worst of the Californian sun, so it should still look new years from now.

The Tesla Model S Plaid Signature Edition arrived earlier this year as a farewell special for the long-running nameplate. Production is capped at 250 units, offered by invitation to select customers at $159,420 apiece.

More: Tesla Tuner Dares You To Break Their New Wheels

As with the regular Plaid, the Signature Edition uses the tri-motor setup producing 1,020 hp (761 kW / 1,034 PS), with a handful of unique touches on top. Chief among them is the Garnet Red finish, paired with gold emblems, special badging, and 21-inch Velarium wheels with gold calipers over carbon-ceramic brakes. Inside there’s white Alcantara upholstery, a yoke steering wheel, and Signature branding.

This isn’t the first time von Holzhausen has handed a personal car to Unplugged Performance. Years earlier, he had his Model 3 fitted with coilover suspension, sway bars, adjustable suspension arms, and carbon-ceramic brakes, again leaving the bodywork alone.

Unplugged Performance

Volkswagen’s commercial division is bringing two premieres worth a look to the Caravan Salon 2026 in Germany. The headliner is the ID. California Cruise concept, which previews an entire family of electric campers. Next to it sits a California Beach kitted out with inflatable kitchen and bed modules, the idea being that one vehicle can handle the daily commute and the weekend escape without asking you to pick a side.

Starting with the ID. California Cruise, the company has yet to publish photos but confirmed it will be based on the ID. Buzz platform. The concept is expected to go a step further than the already available Good Night kit, which adds a folding bed, window blinds, and a 48-hour climate control mode for €2,600 ($3,000).

More: VW’s $3K ID.Buzz Camping Kit Adds A Bed And Runs The A/C For Two Full Days

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

VW says the ID. California Cruise “lays the foundation for a new family of electric campervans set to arrive step by step through 2028”. The company had confirmed a California version of the ID. Buzz back in 2023, though the project stalled over worries about market demand. The rest of the details will land during Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, which runs from August 28 through September 6, 2026.

Blow-Up Camping

Alongside the electric concept, VW has revealed a pair of inflatable interior modules for the T7-based California Beach in partnership with startup Stuff Bubble. Instead of leaning on heavy, permanently mounted wooden cabinets and metal framing that eat into everyday usability, the two companies looked to kitesurfing, paragliding, and inflatable tent structures for the ultra-lightweight modular system.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

The inflatable kitchen measures 120 x 44 x 47.5 cm (47.2 x 17.3 x 18.7 in) and clips straight into the existing luggage shelf mounting rails of the California Beach. It weighs under 10 kg (22 lbs) and includes an integrated closed water circuit. A split design lets you use it inside the vehicle or pull it out and set it up at a campsite or a lakefront pitch.

More: VW Wants $72K For A Camper That Comes Without The Camper

The inflatable bed system features a breathable multi-layer construction measuring 200 x 134 cm (78.7 x 52.8 inches). It can be configured as a single bed weighing 6 kg (13.2 lbs) or a double bed weighing 12 kg (26.5 lbs). Combined with the upper pop-up roof bed, the van to sleep up to four adults.

One-Person Setup, Zero Dead Weight

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

VW claims that the kitchen and the bed can be installed and removed by a single person in a matter of minutes. The setup converts the van into a fully functional camper without forcing owners to haul around permanent additional weight during routine city driving. Furthermore, the modules can also be adapted to fit the rest of the Multivan T7 lineup, which recently gained subtle styling upgrades and new screens.

More: The New VW Caddy Gets The Golf’s Best Screen And Its Worst Touchscreen Habit

The inflatable modules will be showcased at the Caravan Salon in a California Beach. There, the automaker plans to gather customer feedback “to help shape future development” meaning we could be seeing the accessories enter production in the near future.

Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said that the new product “appeals to customers who do not want a permanently fitted interior but still want to enjoy the comforts of camping on spontaneous getaways, festival weekends or outdoor adventures.”

California Highway Patrol officers will ride Turlock Unified School District buses next month as part of an enforcement operation targeting motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses.

The operation will take place Sept. 4 at multiple locations along district bus routes in the Turlock area, which is located about halfway between Sacramento and Fresno, CHP said in a press release sent to School Transportation News.

Officers riding as passengers will watch for motorists who fail to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. The officers will communicate with nearby CHP patrol units to stop motorists observed illegally passing a bus. Violators may receive warnings or traffic citations.

The operation is funded by a grant originating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

CHP said the operation is intended to educate motorists, parents and students about school bus pedestrian safety and reinforce state stopping requirements.

Drivers approaching a school bus from either direction must stop when its red lights are flashing, the agency reminded. Motorists must remain stopped while students enter or exit the bus and until children have safely crossed the street and the red lights stop flashing. Yellow flashing lights warn drivers to slow down and prepare to stop.

Motorists do not have to stop when a school bus is on the opposite side of a divided or multilane highway with at least two lanes in each direction, according to state law.

The agency also urged drivers to remain alert near school bus stops because children may act unpredictably or enter traffic without recognizing the danger. Motorists should reduce their speed and use additional caution around pedestrians, particularly in school zones before and after school.

Enforcement Also Targets Safe School Bus Ridership

CHP encouraged parents to make pedestrian and school bus safety part of their children’s routines. Students should arrive at their bus stop at least five minutes early and wait 10 feet from the road. Children who must cross a street to board should wait for the bus driver’s signal before proceeding.

Students also should not enter or leave a bus until the driver says it is safe, and they should never run after a bus they have missed. Running, games, pushing, and shoving should be avoided at bus stops.

When sidewalks are available, children should use them, CHP said. Where no sidewalk exists, students should walk single file, face approaching traffic and remain on the shoulder as far off the road as possible.

Children should look to the right before stepping off a bus because some motorists may attempt to pass on that side. Before crossing a street, students should stop and look left, right and left again. Crossings should be made at corners, crosswalks, or intersections whenever possible, where motorists are more likely to expect pedestrians.

“Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility,” CHP said in the release, adding that the agency is committed to helping keep the community safe and urging residents to follow traffic laws.

---

Related: Combatting Illegal Passing with Awareness, Technology
Related: Detroit Lions Retired Offensive Lineman Joins Latest Michigan Illegal Passing Awareness Campaign
Related: Scientific Approach to Illegal Passing Issue Coming to STN EXPO West
Related: Action Plan Puts National Spotlight on Hidden Toll of Illegal Passing

The post Officers to Ride California School Buses During Illegal Passing Enforcement Operation appeared first on School Transportation News.

San Francisco transportation officials in California approved a plan to lower speed limits near approximately 230 public and private school campuses citywide as part of an effort to improve safety for students and their families, reported CBS News.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors approved the plan last week. The changes will be implemented over the next two years and will establish a default speed limit of 20 mph near schools while expanding the locations where 15 mph limits may be used.

School zones throughout San Francisco reportedly have speed limits of either 15 mph or 25 mph. According to the agency, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 20 mph has approximately a 90 percent chance of surviving. That chance falls to about 20 percent when a vehicle is traveling 40 mph.

“As families get ready for the new school year, they deserve to know that they’ll be sending their kids out to safer streets so they can get to class and back home, every day, without fear,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said.

San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Maria Su said the lower speed limits represent an important step toward protecting students, supporting families and making streets safer for everyone. Officials plan to implement lower limits near several campuses before the new school year begins. Those schools include Dr. William L. Cobb Elementary, Leonard R. Flynn Elementary, St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception School, Jefferson Elementary, Roosevelt Middle and Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts.

The expanded limits were reportedly made possible by Assembly Bill 382, which the California Legislature passed zone5. The agency is also pursuing other traffic safety improvements around campuses. Planned measures include more than 40 school-zone crossing improvements and daylighting at more than 2,300 intersections near schools.

Crossing guards and Safe Routes to School programs will continue supporting student safety. Additionally, a project is underway near Mission Bay Elementary School to install protected bicycle lanes and high-visibility crossings. The school is scheduled to open in August.

Written with the assistance of AI.

---

Related: Action Plan Puts National Spotlight on Hidden Toll of Illegal Passing
Related: NHTSA Extends Public Comment on Speed Limit Proposal
Related: Scientific Approach to Illegal Passing Issue Coming to STN EXPO West
Related: New York Man Arrested for Speeding Past a Stopped School Bus

The post San Francisco Approves Lower Speed Limits Near 230 Schools appeared first on School Transportation News.

LOS ANGELES, Calif.— HopSkipDrive, the leader in safe, fast, and simple supplemental student transportation, today announced the launch of Spanish-language HopSkipDrive app for caregivers. The app updates automatically for caregivers whose phones are already set to Spanish, with no download or setup required.

Now, Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers can navigate the app, track rides in real time, and receive ride notifications, with the option to get help from a Spanish-speaking support agent if they need it. For thousands of families, that means no more guessing what a text means or waiting for someone else to translate a pickup alert.

Spanish is the first language HopSkipDrive has added to the app for caregivers beyond English, with additional languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year. The update reaches Spanish-speaking families across HopSkipDrive’s national network of more than 14,500 schools and 2,000 school districts, government, and nonprofit partners.

This update comes as districts are asked to serve increasingly diverse student populations, often without any increase in staff or budget. Families speak different languages. Transportation solutions should too. That’s why HopSkipDrive is investing in language accessibility across the HopSkipDrive app for caregivers.

For Spanish-speaking families, this update means:
● Real-time ride visibility: Caregivers know the moment their driver is on the way, when their child is picked up, and when they arrive safely, communicated in Spanish.
● Fewer missed communications: Direct access to support and updates in their preferred language closes the gap that could mean confusion during the moments that matter most.
● A smoother start: HopSkipDrive’s Caregiver Great Start program, which already reaches out to new families before their first ride to walk them through the app, is now offered in Spanish as well as English, so Spanish-speaking families are walked through the app in their own language, and front-office staff aren’t fielding basic questions on day one either.

For districts, the upside is just as clear: fewer calls for support fielded by front-office staff, smoother pickups and dropoffs, and one more reason families trust the transportation their kids depend on, a stronger safety net for the whole district, not just one language group.

Accessibility: A Caregiver Experience Built for Every Family
HopSkipDrive’s Spanish-language rollout is designed to work automatically, without requiring any extra work from district transportation teams.

Spanish App Experience: The HopSkipDrive app now automatically detects a Spanish-language device on first launch and displays the full app in Spanish, including ride tracking, notifications, onboarding, and settings, with no setup required. The app simply speaks their language from the first tap. Caregivers can also switch their language preference at any time from the app menu, and the preference is saved to their profile so it persists across devices and app reinstalls.

Spanish Ride Notifications: Once a caregiver’s language preference is set, push and SMS ride notifications are delivered in Spanish too, from “CareDriver en camino”through drop-off confirmation, giving caregivers timely, clear updates in the language they trust.

Spanish-Speaking Phone Support: Caregivers can reach a Spanish-speaking support agent for active rides by calling 844-HOP-SKIP and pressing 8, giving families real help in the moment, in the language they’re most comfortable with.
“We designed this experience to work from the moment a caregiver opens the app, with no configuration, no extra steps for districts, and no added burden on IT teams,” said Corey McMahon, Product & Technology Officer of HopSkipDrive. “For families, it should feel seamless.

Spanish language support is the first step toward making that experience accessible to everyone.” “When a caregiver can’t figure out where their child’s ride is because of a language barrier, that’s not a usability issue, it’s a student-outcome issue,” said Joanna McFarland, Co-founder and CEO of
HopSkipDrive.”Spanish is our first step toward an app for caregivers that truly serves the diverse communities our district partners rely on us to reach, and it won’t be our last.”

About HopSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive is the leader in safe, fast, and simple supplemental student transportation. The company is modernizing the $30 billion school transportation industry through two core solutions: a care-centered transportation marketplace and an industry-leading transportation intelligence platform, RouteWise AI. HopSkipDrive’s marketplace supplements school buses and existing transportation options by connecting kids to highly-vetted caregivers on wheels, such as grandparents, babysitters, and nurses in local communities. RouteWise AI helps schools and districts address critical challenges, including budget cuts, bus driver shortages, and reaching climate goals. HopSkipDrive has supported over 14,500 schools across two dozen states, with over 2,000 school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit partners. Millions of rides across 130 million miles have been completed through HopSkipDrive since the company was founded in 2014 by three working mothers.

The post HopSkipDrive Introduces Spanish Language App For Caregivers appeared first on School Transportation News.

The Trump administration eliminated the clean vehicle tax credit last year, but states and cities can offer incentives of their own. California is doing exactly that as Governor Gavin Newsom has announced residents buying their first zero-emission vehicle can get $3,500 off at dealerships.

The “instant rebate” goes into effect this summer and is the result of a new piece of legislation that sets aside $135.5 million for an “affordable clean-car future to be matched by an equal contribution from participating automakers.”

More: Used Hybrid And EV Prices Jumped $3,600 After The Tax Credit Died

The program is known as MyFirstEV and it provides $3,500 off new electric vehicles with an MSRP of up to $50,000. Customers can also get $1,750 off the price of used electric vehicles priced up to $25,000.

While that sounds pretty straightforward, there’s some interesting fine print including that vehicles can’t have a curb weight exceeding 8,500 lbs (3,856 kg). More importantly, there’s a special carve out for “California-headquartered zero-emission vehicle” companies.

Specifically, “incentives under the program shall be provided to California-headquartered zero-emission vehicle companies regardless of the vehicle manufacturer’s suggested retail price or sales price.” In effect, automakers – like Rivian – with headquarters in California don’t have to worry about the price cap.

The state appears to know this is unfair and possibly illegal, so there’s a special section that says “If a court of competent jurisdiction holds that the application of paragraph (2) is invalid, the remainder of this section shall remain in force and effect as if this section had not included paragraph (2).” This means if a court determines the California HQ rule is improper, it won’t doom the whole program.

That sounds a little sketchy, but Newsom’s office said the state surpassed 2.5 million cumulative zero-emission vehicle sales in January, which far exceeded their goal of 1.5 million. They added California is now home to 200,000 public and shared EV charging plugs.

In a politically charged statement, Newsom said “Donald Trump is doing everything in his power to pollute our air and surrender the clean car industry to China on a silver platter. California is putting its foot on the accelerator. With our new instant rebate program for electric vehicles, we’re making it easier for families to drive clean, breathe clean, and keep more money in their pockets.”

DMV Changes

In other automotive-related news, Newsom signed a separate bill designed to modernize the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), cut costs, and expand access to mobile driver’s licenses. In regards to the latter, the cap on the Mobile Driver License Pilot Program has increased from 15% to 60%.

This means millions of more Californians will now be able to get a digital license. The state added that over 3.5 million residents have applied for one since the program launched in August 2023.

Other changes are less flashy, but are aimed at reducing costs and streamlining operations. In particular, the bill allows for “eliminating certain mailed notices, ending the requirement to print physical driver handbooks, and modernizing how the department communicates with customers about renewals.”

RENO, Nev. — Longtime school transportation director and certified driver trainer Sandy Dillman was named the 2026 Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence winner at STN EXPO West.

“It meant a lot to me. Linda and Peter meant a lot to me,” Dillman told School Transportation News after the award ceremony Monday morning. “I only had the pleasure of meeting Peter once, but safety is so important to me with students and the yellow school bus that is this award. I’ve had a rough year, and so, this award came at a perfect time for me. It’s humbling, but also an honor at the same time.”

The award, sponsored by Q’Straint/SureLok, was presented to Dillman during the day’s STN EXPO West opening session by Linda Grandolfo, Peter’s widow. Linda keeps Peter’s legacy alive by telling his story every year, enlightening newcomers and reminding frequent attendees of his impact on school transportation.

Linda Grandolfo described Dillman as a friend who has made amazing strides in the transportation of students with special needs. She is also someone who is very known in the industry for her work toward student safety.

“It was an incredible honor to give my dear friend Sandy Dillman the Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award for her many many years of hard work in the industry, her kindness and her dedication,” Linda Grandolfo said.

Dillman logged more than three decades at Apple Valley Unified School District in California, where she started as a substitute school bus driver in 1988. She became a state-certified driver instructor, a transportation manager and in 2001 the district’s director of transportation. Dillman retired in 2019 to move with her husband Greg to Texas so they could spend more time with their children and grandchildren.

Her retirement lasted seven months, when she began working for consultant TransPar Group, and filled the director role at a couple of local school districts. She worked as the full-time director of transportation for Tomball Independent School District until her resignation earlier this year to start her own consultant business.

Among Dillman’s most notable accomplishments was developing a long-term school bus replacement program at Apple Valley in California. After managing what was once reportedly the oldest fleet in California, Dillman replaced the entire fleet over five to six years and established a process for replacing three to five buses annually. She also secured grants for diesel particulate filters, electric school buses and charging infrastructure.

It was at Apple Valley that she also implemented an electronic child reminder system for post-trip inspections before the state mandated the technology.

She was active in the California Association of School Transportation Officials, served in various leadership roles including president, and received the organization’s Arnita Moon Memorial Service Above Self Award. She also advocated for California’s student-crossing procedures and spoke nationally about illegal passing and school bus safety.

---

Related: Long-Time California Transportation Director Retires, Heads to Texas for Family

---

In Texas, she continued to serve the industry, both through her district and with the Texas Association for Pupil Transportation as well as the National Association of Pupil Transportation. She continues to help with registration and speaks at the STN EXPO and TSD Conference.

Dillman added she was surprised to hear that the award was based on a nomination.

“The thought that somebody took the time and cared enough to address what I’ve done in this industry, that has been my whole life,” she said. “I started driving a bus in 1987, and still going strong in [the industry in] 2026, which is crazy to me.”

She added that both of her children rode school buses, and now her grandkids do.

“It makes me feel good when my grandsons and my granddaughter come home from field trips and say, ‘I wore a seatbelt on my bus,’ and they’re proud of it,” Dillman continued. “So, it means a lot, and the whole STN family is very important to me, and I’m glad to be a part of it,” she concluded.

---

Related: Michigan’s Morris Presented with 2025 Grandolfo Award at STN EXPO
Related: Mulder Presented with Annual Grandolfo Award at STN EXPO
Related: Texas Transportation Director Receives 2023 Grandolfo Award

The post Industry Veteran Dillman Named 2026 Grandolfo Award Winner appeared first on School Transportation News.

This spring, I spoke with a newspaper reporter in Southern California regarding a case of students left on school buses. Those kinds of headlines always grab my attention as such incidents happen all too often nationwide. The most recent number is around 500 a year based on federal estimates, but no true count is recorded from state to state.

But all states have a regulation on not leaving students on school buses. California law requires school bus drivers to deactivate some kind of alarm system that acts as a reminder to perform a full post-trip sweep of the school bus, including looking on and below each seating position to check for sleeping students or those who otherwise did not exit at their respective stops.

The law resulted from a tragic 2015 death of a 16-year-old nonverbal boy with autism, who was left on his Southern California school bus for upwards of eight hours during a heat wave, while his driver hurried off to meet a co-worker for a tryst.

Referred to as The Paul Lee law, it has required various alarms or reminder systems in school buses since 2019. That did not stop two incidents from occurring earlier this year in the Oxnard, California area. Aside from the obvious safety concerns, it came as no surprise that the reporter asked me why the local school bus driver’s union was coming to the defense of the driver and opposing technology that could prevent such incidents. Granted, the recent Oxnard case has its complexities.

I often talk to directors of transportation about their frustration with some collective bargaining negotiations, and the media junkets that unions will embark on to try to influence those talks. The breakdown often comes when technology enters the picture. Video cameras, GPS, data tracking and tablets are well ingrained in society, where we can watch our pizza being made to being delivered, and all steps in between. But when it comes to the nation’s schoolchildren, technology detractors will raise privacy concerns and allege the solutions are being used to spy on school bus drivers. That is part of the story in Oxnard.

While technology stacks do corroborate what school bus drivers are doing—or not—behind the wheel, they also drive efficiencies, safety and accountability. The newspaper reporter I spoke with expressed shock that student tracking exists. I had to explain that many school districts have migrated to what is more accurately described as student ridership verification, to alleviate the call volume from parents asking where their children’s school buses are, and when and where their students board and exit. Student ridership verification is about safety and communication, not checking up on school bus drivers. These systems also work with child reminder systems to ensure students are accounted for at the conclusion of routes.

Camera systems provide another fail-safe, if footage is reviewed and flagged properly. They verify student activity during the route and can detect if children remain on the bus afterward. They also record traffic issues on the road and provide training insights for driver-trainers regarding school bus driver action or inaction. For example, cameras using AI-enhanced software increasingly are detecting drowsy or stressed school bus drivers, as we talk about more in this issue.

More so, I told the reporter, cameras and other technology are serving as proof of service, often exonerating school bus drivers from “he said, she said” accusations. Too often, students, other motorists or parents levy allegations against school bus drivers that are unfounded. While there are bad apples in every bunch, as seen by the focus on driving while under the influence, most school bus drivers are in this position for all the right reasons.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the July 2026 issue of School Transportation News.

---

Related: Advancing Fleet Safety & Efficiency with AI Assistance
Related: Tech Talk with BusPatrol: The Next Era of Student Safety
Related: (STN Podcast E305) It’s Your Job: Industry Legend Dick Fischer Talks School Bus Safety, Training
Related: How Technology Powers Daily Student Transportation Operations

The post Safety in Sight appeared first on School Transportation News.

RENO, Nev. — For years, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology has been promoted as the next big opportunity for electric school buses. The promise largely has remained unfilled until recently.

Yet school buses transport students in the morning and afternoon, then spend hours parked with large batteries that could support the electric grid, power facilities during outages, or even generate revenue. As utilities seek more flexible energy resources and school districts search for ways to maximize taxpayer investments, V2G offers a glimpse of a future where school buses serve dual roles: transporting students and supporting the electric grid.

But what does V2G look like in practice?

At STN EXPO West conference on Sunday, school transportation and utility leaders shared one of the industry’s most detailed real-world case studies, offering a candid look at the opportunities, challenges and lessons districts should understand before investing in electric school buses and bidirectional charging infrastructure.

The conference session, “Unlocking the Potential of V2G in School Fleets,” brought together representatives from Fremont Unified School District near San Francisco, California, and its utility, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The two are partnered to deploy one of the state’s most advanced electric school bus energy programs. Their collective message was clear: Vehicle-to-grid technology holds significant promise, but success depends on planning, partnerships and realistic expectations.

Grant Jones, director of consultant Updraft Energy and moderator of the discussion, noted that school buses are frequently cited as one of the strongest use cases for V2G because of their predictable schedules, long dwell times and large battery capacities. As real deployments emerge, fleets can now learn from operational experience rather than theory.

Start With the Utility, Not the Electric School Buses

If there was one takeaway repeated throughout the session, it was the importance of engaging the local utility as early as possible.

“Every yard is going to be different,” said Fremont USD Transportation Director Erny Epley. “There are no two yards alike, and no two power availability from the grid that’s alike.”

He advised school districts to involve utilities before internal enthusiasm builds around electrification goals that may not be feasible given local infrastructure constraints.

PG&E Product Manager Rudy Halbright echoed that advice, stressing that site characteristics can dramatically affect the economics of V2G.

“The more you start planning this long before you even choose the site, ideally, the more options you’re going to have,” he said. “[It’s] always good to talk to the utility really early in your process, even before you have a yard, if you can.”
Location matters. Residential areas with significant evening energy demand may create stronger opportunities for utilities to compensate fleets for exporting power during peak periods. Industrial locations may offer fewer opportunities to generate value through grid services.

V2G Is About More Than Selling Power

Halbright outlined a spectrum of energy-management strategies that school districts can pursue, beginning with simple charging optimization and progressing toward full vehicle-to-grid participation.

Many fleets can achieve savings simply by charging during lower-cost utility periods or implementing smart charging systems that automatically manage charging schedules. More advanced programs can provide demand-response services or export electricity back to the grid when energy is most valuable.

“School buses are a huge opportunity in filling that gap,” Halbright explained, referring to the evening period, when solar generation declines but electricity demand remains high. “These are already paid for. So. it’s a natural.”

Beyond financial returns, V2G also introduces resiliency benefits. Electric school buses could help keep schools operating during outages or provide emergency power for community services.

Fremont’s Biggest Lesson: Nobody Can Do V2G Alone

Fremont USD’s project began almost unexpectedly. Epley recalled receiving a last-minute call about a grant opportunity and deciding to participate without fully understanding the scope of the undertaking.

“I’m glad I did,” he said. “It’s been a long, arduous but very, very rewarding journey.”

Today, Fremont operates 14 electric school buses, including four capable of bidirectional charging, which is required for V2G. The district expects its electric fleet to grow to 22 buses, with 12 eventually able to export power back to the grid.
The district’s experience reinforced the need for broad stakeholder engagement.

“You can’t do this alone,” Epley told attendees. “It’s going to take a massive effort across many organizations.”
His recommendation was to “cast a wide net” by involving transportation staff, facilities personnel, business officials, accounting departments, utilities, project managers and technology providers from the beginning.

He also introduced a memorable phrase for transportation directors navigating these projects: “You’re going to have to be a communication superhero.”

Be Ready for Delays and Complexity

While electric school buses themselves are becoming more familiar to fleets, bidirectional charging introduces additional layers of technical, regulatory and administrative complexity.

“One of the biggest mistakes that I’ve ran across was I had an unrealistic expectation about the implementation process and what that timeline looked like,” Epley shared.

He compared the experience to introducing major routing or telematics software systems. Fleet leaders often focus on the result while underestimating the amount of work required to reach deployment.

“Take small bites,” he advised. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

Halbright offered a similar assessment from the utility perspective. Supply-chain disruptions, regulatory hurdles and evolving standards have slowed projects across California.

“If I could do it all over again, I would spend more time modeling things,” he said. “It’s worth spending that time to make sure this makes sense.”

---

Related: Federal Legislation Looks to Promote V2G for Electric School Buses
Related: V2G Findings Announced From New York State Electric School Bus Project
Related: V2G Legislation Looks to School Buses to Help Power Electric Grid

---

Understanding the Financial Case of V2G

The economics of V2G remain one of the biggest questions facing school districts.

Fremont estimates its participation could generate roughly $1,000 annually per bus enrolled in V2G programs, though the project remains in its early stages.

Still, speakers cautioned that V2G should not be viewed as a quick revenue source.

Current projects often depend on grants, utility incentives and other funding opportunities to offset infrastructure costs. However, Epley and Halbright both said equipment costs continue to decline, making future deployments more attractive.
Halbright encouraged districts not to wait for perfect conditions.

“Be creative,” he said. “If there is something, grab it.”

Perhaps the most important lesson for transportation leaders is that electric school buses increasingly represent more than vehicles.

“There is no way the best use for a school bus is to sit there parked most of the time if it could do something else,” Halbright said.

Written with the assistance of AI and a session transcript.

The post School Buses as Power Plants? Real-World V2G Journey Offers Roadmap appeared first on School Transportation News.

PORTERVILLE, Calif. — Porterville Unified School District (PUSD) is set to develop a comprehensive solar, battery energy storage, microgrid, and electric vehicle (EV) fleet charging project to meet the District’s intersecting energy, transportation, and resilience needs with clean, renewable, lower-cost electricity.

To develop the project, PUSD has partnered with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale renewable energy solutions, as well as The Mobility House (TMH), an independent charge management provider. The project is being funded in part via a U.S. EPA Clean School Bus (CSB) Program grant, which the district secured with support from CALSTART, a nonprofit organization that connects businesses, government agencies, and industry partners to accelerate the adoption of clean transportation technologies.

The PUSD Zero-Emission Transportation Infrastructure Project and Microgrid will include a 763 kW solar array mounted on existing shade structures at the District’s north and south parking lots, along with a 408 kW / 1632 kWh battery storage system to store solar energy, provide resiliency, and discharge power to shave peak demand. A microgrid controller will enable the facility to disconnect from Southern California Edison’s electrical grid when needed, drawing power directly from the District’s on-site solar energy and battery storage assets.

The solar-plus-storage system will support 35 DC fast charger ports to serve the District’s planned fleet of electric school buses. These fast chargers will be connected to The Mobility House’s charge management system, ChargePilot®, which will enable the fleet to draw power directly from PUSD’s on-site energy systems in tandem with grid electricity. The EV charging infrastructure will also include eight charging ports in the north parking lot that will serve the District’s “white fleet.” Two of the eight chargers will feature bi-directional charging capability, which enables an EV to function as a “battery on wheels,” storing and discharging power back to the grid with vehicle-to-grid services (V2G). V2G technology will help the District support grid resilience, offset energy expenses, and extend an additional clean energy resource to students, staff, and the broader community.

Both V2G and microgrid technologies are integral to Porterville’s resiliency strategy, which includes protecting the broader community in the event of emergencies and power outages, such as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.

“We are excited to advance this important infrastructure project, which supports the District’s long-term goals for sustainability, energy resiliency, and responsible stewardship of public resources,” said Brad Rohrbach, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Porterville Unified School District. “This project represents a significant investment in our students, schools, and community, while helping position the District for a more efficient and sustainable future. We are grateful to CALSTART for their critical support in helping the District secure this grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We also appreciate the partnership and expertise provided by ForeFront Power and The Mobility House.”

Upgrading the District Fleet, A Community Lifeline

Located in Tulare County in California’s Central Valley, the Porterville region experiences some of the nation’s worst air quality, which disproportionately affects student respiratory health. PUSD serves more than 14,000 TK–12 students across 22 campuses, 88.9% of whom are from socioeconomically disadvantaged households, making the District’s transportation fleet a critical lifeline for many students who rely on school buses for access to education and extracurricular activities. In response to these conditions and rising energy costs, the District launched its PUSD Energy & Sustainability Program in 2019, aiming to reduce energy costs and GHG emissions by 80% by 2030, and is pursuing this EV infrastructure project as a key pillar of the program.

Once complete, the 1,171‑kW solar, battery storage, and microgrid system is expected to produce nearly 1,425,000 kWh of clean, renewable electricity annually. This onsite generation, combined with smart dispatch of the battery and V2G resources, is designed to offset approximately 80% of the District facilities’ electricity consumption—including the anticipated annual SCE utility bill for electric bus charging—and avoid an estimated 21,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions over the 30‑year project lifecycle. The District’s plan to transition all school buses to electric by 2035 will save an additional 15,000 metric tons in avoided CO₂ emissions from reduced tailpipe pollution, bringing their total expected CO₂ emissions reduction over the same 30-year period to approximately 37,000 metric tons. This is equivalent to the GHG emissions from over 3.6 million gallons of diesel fuel burned.

Public-Private Partnership Enables Long-Term Budget Certainty and Savings on Electricity and Fuel

Designed, engineered, and developed by ForeFront Power, the future project is designed for an expected lifetime of 30 years. During this period, PUSD will partner with ForeFront Power for ongoing Asset Management services. This project will provide PUSD with budget certainty while reducing its dependence on fossil fuels to power its fleet. The transition to electric buses will lower fuel and maintenance costs and provide long-term savings over the project’s lifetime, protecting PUSD’s budget from increasing diesel and utility rates.

“We applaud Porterville USD for pursuing this innovative project for zero-emission infrastructure,” said Dr. Ruben Fontes, CEO at ForeFront Power. “When complete, this clean energy portfolio will serve as a national model for how vulnerable communities can mitigate rising energy and fuel costs, improve public health, meet ambitious climate goals, and protect themselves from climate emergencies.”

“We are glad to be a part of such an innovative and ambitious project to benefit the school district and community of Porterville,” said Greg Hintler, CEO of The Mobility House North America. “Clean energy technologies such as solar microgrids, electric school buses, and V2G have enormous potential to provide clean and affordable energy and transportation solutions for school districts and communities across the country.”

U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program Delivers for Porterville

The upcoming project is anchored by a major federal investment through the U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus (CSB) Program. Porterville Unified School District has secured federal grant funding to replace diesel buses with zero‑emission buses and install fast charging and clean energy infrastructure. As part of this award, the EPA funds Porterville USD directly, and CALSTART serves as the District’s technical and project management partner—handling implementation support, monitoring and reporting, workforce and community programs, and positioning the District for future federal and state grant opportunities. PUSD has also pursued other funding opportunities including California Air Resources Board and California Energy Commission’s Zero Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) incentive project.

“PUSD’s commitment to decarbonize their fleet is transformational for the San Joaquin Valley, for the broader Porterville community, and for school districts that are navigating similar transitions. Funding programs that reduce capital costs are critical to make these school electrification projects possible.” said Valerie Thorsen, P.E., Regional Director at CALSTART. “PUSD is not only transitioning their fleet, but they have also provided EV internships in partnership with Climate Action Pathways for Schools and are actively enabling clean energy jobs through their Academy of Energy and Resource Occupations (AERO) Pathways Program.”

Procurement Assisted by Joint Power Authority SPURR and the PAVE Program

PUSD procured its Zero-Emission Transportation Infrastructure Project and Microgrid by leveraging the Procurement Assistance for Vehicle Electrification (“PAVE”) Program. The PAVE Program is managed by SPURR, a joint powers authority dedicated to helping the California public sector control and reduce utility expenses. PAVE is designed to help public agencies streamline the procurement process for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure through an easy infrastructure roadmap and a single source for planning, installation, and management of complicated multi-phase EV charging infrastructure projects. Through PAVE’s integrated RFP process, the District selected ForeFront Power to develop, finance, and construct its EV charging infrastructure project, and The Mobility House (TMH) as its charge management technology provider.

Advancing PUSD’s Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) Student Initiative

This upcoming project will also advance PUSD’s Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) initiative by linking classroom learning, career pathways, and real-world clean energy infrastructure. Through CAPS-aligned project-based units, energy audits, and analysis of the District’s solar, energy storage, and EV charging systems, students will use the campus as a living lab to build skills in renewable energy, sustainability, and conservation. Porterville USD, ForeFront Power, CALSTART, and The Mobility House have also developed a community outreach program to educate local residents on the clean transportation and air quality benefits of the microgrid and EV transportation infrastructure, along with hands-on CAPS internships that provide experience in zero-emission fleet operations while advancing district climate and sustainability goals.

About Porterville Unified School District

Porterville Unified School District (PUSD) is located in the heart of California’s Central Valley at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Tulare County. Serving a diverse community of over 13,000 students, PUSD is dedicated to the mission of ‘Creating Opportunities: Changing Lives’. The district operates a comprehensive network of schools, including elementary, middle, and high school sites, and is a leader in regional Career Technical Education (CTE) and sustainability initiatives. PUSD serves a rich, multicultural population, with a deep commitment to supporting English Learners and providing equitable access to high-quality academic and vocational pathways for all students.

About ForeFront Power

ForeFront Power is a leading provider of energy solutions and advisory services. This includes commercial and industrial-scale (C&I) solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as fleet electrification and asset management services. With over 15 years of experience, the ForeFront Power team has developed more than 1,900 behind-the-meter and community solar projects, totaling more than 1.6 gigawatt-DC of renewable electricity. In addition to project development and asset management, ForeFront Power provides strategic advisory services that help organizations navigate complex energy decisions—from sustainability and procurement planning to renewable project implementation. The company serves a wide array of business, government, education, healthcare, and community solar customers from its San Francisco headquarters and through teams based in New York, Mexico City, and across the U.S. For additional information, please visit www.forefrontpower.com.

About The Mobility House

The Mobility House is shaping the zero emissions future of energy and mobility. Our resilient charging technology makes EV charging reliable and flexible, and provides drivers the freedom of zero emissions, zero cost charging. We integrate flexible charging with energy systems to stabilize the electrical grid and free it from fossil fuels. Across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America, The Mobility House currently manages more than 2,700 EV fleet charging facilities, charges hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles, and trades power from more than 1 GWh of energy storage.

The post The Mobility House Powers Porterville Unified School District’s Fleet Electrification with Smart Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid Technology appeared first on School Transportation News.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. —Samsara Inc. (“Samsara”) (NYSE: IOT), the pioneer of the Connected Operations Platform, today announced the winners of its 2026 Connected Operations Awards, recognizing the remarkable achievements of its customers in safety, efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. The annual awards program honors organizations and individuals across North America and EMEA who demonstrate the clear benefits of AI-powered operations.

“The winners of Samsara’s Connected Operations Awards are proof that AI represents a fundamental shift in how work gets done—one that’s already saving lives and cutting costs,” said Robert Stobaugh, Chief Operating Officer at Samsara. “The submissions told stories of safer workers, more efficient operations, and real impact for communities. What unites every winner is a team that refuses to settle, and we’re proud to work alongside them.”

Introducing the 2026 global award winners:

U.S. and Canada: Discover their stories

Safest Operator: Utility Supply & Construction Company

Innovation in Sustainable Operations: Massey Services

Digital Transformation of the Year: Enercare

Most Innovative Workforce: Tyson Foods, Inc.

Technology Leader of the Year: David Perez, Vice President of Safety, First Student

Driver of the Year (U.S.): Darrin J. Lonsdale, Action Resources

Driver of the Year (Canada): Jessie-Lee Beaudoin, Whitewater Management LP

Mexico: Discover their stories

Safest Operator: Grupo Aralo

Digital Transformation of the Year: Royal Transports

Excellence in Physical Security: Transportes MexAmerik

Driver of the Year: José Rigoberto Carrera Ruiz, Flecha Amarilla

EMEA: Discover their stories

Safest Operator (UK): Speedy Hire

Safest Operator (Germany): SafeDriver ennoo

Excellence in Driver Engagement: Sysco GB

Most Sustainable Operations: Lanes Group

Industry Innovator: Renew Holdings plc

Driver of the Year: Richard Meehan, JLL

A snapshot of the impactful results winners drove with Samsara:

Utility Supply & Construction Company achieved a 98% reduction in insurance claim costs, dropping from a historical high of $1.4M to just $22K midway through the current policy year

Massey Services saved $1.3M in fuel costs in one year with centralized fuel reporting and idling alerts

Enercare reduced operating costs through better vehicle utilization, cutting vehicle dormancy by 26%

Grupo Aralo dropped its collision risk per mile by 70% while increasing its Security Score by 164% in Mexico

Lanes Group digitized 1.3M form submissions per year and reduced vehicle idling by 83%, improving efficiency across the business

“With fuel costs where they are today, every gallon matters. Samsara helped us save more than a million dollars in fuel costs in a single year and changed how we manage our fleet,” said Bryan Campbell, Director of Risk Management at Massey Services. “Our safety program benefitted too. We’ve reduced accidents by 35% and traffic violations by 88%. When you find a partner who genuinely understands your operations, the results show.”

Further information about the awards:

Learn more about the winners from the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, and EMEA

Read about the winners for Excellence in Performance in the Public Sector, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Garden City Public Schools, announced at Samsara Go Beyond Public Sector

About Samsara
Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations® Platform, which is an open platform that connects the people, devices, and systems of some of the world’s most complex operations, allowing them to develop actionable insights and improve their operations. With tens of thousands of customers across North America and Europe, Samsara is a proud technology partner to the people who keep our global economy running, including the world’s leading organizations across industries in transportation, construction, wholesale and retail trade, field services, logistics, manufacturing, utilities and energy, government, healthcare and education, food and beverage, and others. The company’s mission is to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy.

Samsara is a registered trademark of Samsara Inc. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

All statistics and expectations listed herein are provided by Samsara’s customers.

The post Samsara Announces 2026 Connected Operations Award Winners appeared first on School Transportation News.

The California Highway Patrol’s Truckee branch embraces the lighter side of policing and they’ve gone viral for mocking an Audi e-tron GT owner.

The wayward driver ran out of juice on the highway, so they had to pull over to the side of the road. Instead of getting towed to a nearby charging station, they opted to use a generator to slowly recharge the vehicle.

Review: Driving The 2026 Audi RS e-Tron GT Performance Feels Like Falling Into A Black Hole

That’s less than ideal and the California Highway Patrol joked, “Thoughts and prayers won’t add miles to your battery… but thankfully they brought their own generator.” They also posted an image of the incident set to Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer.

On a more serious note, the highway patrol noted that “Mountain driving, elevation changes, and higher speeds can drain your EV battery much faster than expected.” They went on to encourage visitors to plan ahead, charge up, and leave yourself a little extra range. If you fail to heed their advice, you might end up like this driver and need an “unscheduled stop on the shoulder.”

The 2026 Audi S e-tron GT starts at $127,700 and features a 105 kWh battery pack that feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing up to 670 hp (500 kW / 679 PS). It enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.3 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h).

Buyers will also find a respectable range of up to 300 miles (483 km). That wasn’t enough for this driver, but the 320 kW DC fast charging capability can take the battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes.

Audi also offers an even more powerful RS e-tron GT performance for $170,500. It has 912 hp (680 kW / 925 PS) and hits 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.4 seconds. However, the range drops to 278 miles (447 km).

Local reporters and three local United Way organizations have launched the annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign, aiming to provide school supplies to students across California’s Central Coast as families continue to face rising education costs and economic challenges, reported KSBW 8.

For the third consecutive year, KSBW 8 is partnering with United Way Monterey County, for the third consecutive year. United for San Benito and United Way of Santa Cruz County are also involved to collect donations that will help students begin the school year with essential classroom supplies.

Organizers reportedly said the Stuff the Bus campaign is focused on supporting children whose families are struggling to afford basic school necessities. Community members can contribute throughout the year, with donations helping purchase supplies for students across Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. The need remains significant throughout the region.

According to organizers, nearly 13,000 students in Monterey County experienced homelessness during the last school year. In neighboring Santa Cruz County, officials estimate more than 2,700 K-12 students are facing homelessness or other serious hardships that can create barriers to academic success.

Stuff the Bus Seeks to Offset Rising Costs

At the same time, the cost of preparing children for school reportedly continues to strain household budgets. Organizers cited data showing the average American family spent approximately $858 on school supplies in 2025, a figure that can be difficult for lower-income families to manage.

The Stuff the Bus campaign reportedly seeks to bridge that gap by ensuring students have the tools they need when classes begin. Donations support the purchase and distribution of supplies for children throughout the Central Coast, helping schools and families meet growing needs.

Campaign organizers are encouraging residents, businesses and community groups to contribute and support local students. Stuff the Bus donations are accepted year-round, with organizers emphasizing that every contribution can make a difference for children facing financial hardship and help create opportunities for academic success across the region.

Written with the assistance of AI.

---

Related: North Carolina School’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ Drive Returns to Support Local Students
Related: Salvation Army Hosts Stuff the Bus Donation Drive in Indiana
Related: Arizona Annual Stuff the Bus Back to School Drive Returns
Related: Volunteers Help Immigrant Parents in Chicago Participate in Walking School Bus

The post Stuff the Bus Drive Launches on California’s Central Coast Helping Students appeared first on School Transportation News.

Two incidents in which young students were left unattended on school buses this school year have prompted scrutiny of transportation practices in Oxnard, California’s Rio School District and intensified a dispute between district officials and the union representing bus drivers, reported vcstar news.

According to the news report, the incidents occurred months apart but shared a troubling similarity: Children remained on buses after drivers completed their routes and exited the vehicles.

In the first case, a 5-year-old girl was reportedly left on a bus for several minutes after it arrived at Rio Real Dual Immersion Academy in August. The driver had returned to the school with a kindergartner whose caregiver was not present at his stop. The driver exited the bus with the boy, unaware that another student remained on board. A few minutes later, a crying girl exited the bus.

A second incident reportedly occurred Jan. 15 at Rio Del Norte School when a second-grade special education student who is nonverbal was discovered crying and banging on a bus door after the driver left her on board and entered the school building. Another driver opened the bus and escorted the child inside.

District officials said via the article that neither child was physically harmed, and both were left alone only briefly. Still, Assistant Superintendent Rafael Gaeta called the incidents unacceptable. “Two times in a year is way too much,” Gaeta said. “This is not normal.”

Both drivers received letters of reprimand and were reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which suspended their school bus driving privileges. One suspension is under review after a DMV hearing officer recommended setting it aside. The status of the second suspension has not been disclosed.

The California School Employees Association, which represents district bus drivers, has reportedly appealed both suspensions and argues the incidents do not meet the legal definition of “gross negligence,” a standard that can trigger DMV action under California law. Union officials also contend transportation employees face low morale, staffing challenges and inadequate support. They say drivers have been required to cover additional routes and have not consistently received updated student rosters.

The two drivers reportedly offered different explanations for the incidents. According to district records, the driver involved in the August incident at Rio Real described leaving the child on the bus as “an innocent mistake.” The driver involved in the January incident at Rio Del Norte said she left the bus to use the restroom after arriving at the school, though the district said video evidence contradicted that account.

The district’s buses are reportedly equipped with Child Check-Mate safety alarm systems, which require drivers to walk to the rear of the bus and deactivate an alarm after each route. According to district disciplinary records, both incidents occurred despite the presence of the safety system. California has required child safety alert systems on school buses since 2018 under the Paul Lee School Bus Safety Law, named for an autistic teenager who was nonverbal and died after being left on a school bus in 2015.

Data on how often children are left on school buses is difficult to obtain. The California Department of Motor Vehicles does not publicly release statewide totals, and nothing in the state’s bus safety law requires such disclosure.

Ryan Gray, editor of School Transportation News provided input in the article and said he is not aware of any comprehensive national data, though he said transportation professionals see “a couple dozen” news reports involving similar incidents across the country each year. Industry consultant Dick Fischer later told STN the last estimate he saw from the federal government was about 500 incidents a year, but the figure is several years old.

Gray said most school districts have a “zero tolerance policy” toward kids being left on a bus. “I know a lot of districts will just fire the drivers on the spot,” he said. “Others might suspend. It just depends on the district.”

Two incidents in one year in a school district, the size of Rio, it has about 5,000 students, 724 of whom ride the bus, seems unusual, Gray said. “When anything like this happens, one is too many,” he said.

---

Related: California Student Left Alone in Hot School Bus
Related: Ohio Student Left on School Bus, Parent Speaks Out
Related: 6-Year-Old Left on School Bus for Hours
Related: Illinois Preschooler Left in School Bus for Hours

The post Two Students Left on School Buses in One Year Prompts Investigation appeared first on School Transportation News.

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

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

Read more about operations.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from Kajeet.

 

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

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

Perrin Turney has become a familiar and trusted face in the rural Kneeland School District, where his job extends far beyond driving a school bus through the winding roads of Humboldt County.

Turney, a bus driver for Kneeland in rural Humboldt County, was recently named the 2026 California Classified School Employee of the Year for Transportation Services by the California Department of Education. The statewide recognition honors school employees who make significant contributions to public education.

For Turney, the award represents not only personal recognition but pride in the small mountain community he calls home. “Kneeland is a very small school, and not many people outside the area know we exist,” Turney told School Transportation News. “This recognition puts our school and district on the map in a really meaningful way.”

Turney has worked at Kneeland School since 2016, first serving as the school janitor before gradually taking on additional responsibilities. Over the years, he has helped with information technology, managed the school’s water system, supported students in classrooms, and assisted with math instruction for middle school students. He also manages the school website, helps troubleshoot technology issues across campus and fills in wherever needed in the one-school district.

Driving a school bus was never part of his original plan. “Eventually, the school asked if I would be willing to get my commercial license so I could serve as a backup bus driver,” Turney said. “What started as a temporary role became a job I truly care about.”

Now, transporting students safely across the district’s nearly 145 square miles of mountainous terrain has become one of his most important roles.

California School Bus Driver Wears Many Hats

The route presents daily challenges, including narrow roads, potholes, blind curves, black ice, fallen trees, and dense fog that can reduce visibility to only a few yards. Hurricane-force winds and sudden storms can quickly change driving conditions along the route, requiring constant awareness and preparation.

Turney said he begins each day by checking weather conditions, reviewing school cameras for visible hazards and driving the route himself before students board the bus. “If I feel the road conditions are unsafe, I do not hesitate to call the day off,” he said. “The goal is always the same: Get the students to and from school safely.”

His mornings typically begin before 7 a.m. with a pre-trip safety inspection at the bus yard before he heads out to pick up students in nearby Arcata, Freshwater and along the rural mountain roads leading to Kneeland School. Once students arrive safely on campus, Turney shifts into his other responsibilities for the day, helping with maintenance, assisting students, overseeing technology needs and teaching math.

School leaders say Turney’s calm demeanor and reliability have made him especially trusted among students and families. “Kneeland School District alum Perrin Turney wears many hats in the one-school district, none as important as bus driver,” district officials said in nomination materials supporting his award.

That steady presence has become especially important during unexpected situations on the road. In one memorable incident, steam suddenly poured from under the hood of the bus during a morning route after a coolant reservoir leak. Turney calmly reassured students, safely pulled the bus over and coordinated transportation arrangements while the bus was repaired.

“In those moments, the most important thing is to stay calm, understand the situation, reassure the students and make the safest decision possible,” he said.

Beyond transportation, Turney also created a “Maker’s Space” program that teaches students hands-on technical skills, including 3D printing and technology projects designed to introduce students to current technology trends.

Despite his many responsibilities, Turney said working with students remains the most rewarding part of his job. “Watching students grow into thoughtful, capable and kind people is an amazing thing to be part of,” he said. “The students also teach me how to be a better person.”

Students know Turney as a steady presence who balances safety with humor and compassion. He said consistency helps children feel secure during their rides to and from school.

“The bus should be a safe place, but it should also be a place where students can enjoy themselves a little and decompress,” Turney said.

Turney credits the California school bus driver recognition to the community members, coworkers, and families who supported his nomination.

“I feel grateful,” he said. “I am proud to represent Kneeland, and I could not be happier that this recognition shines a light not just on me, but on the school, the students, the families and the community that make this place so special.”

---

Related: ‘Hero’ Teacher Praised by Parent Florida School Bus Crash Evacuation
Related: Arkansas School Bus Driver Legacy Honored by School District
Related: Georgia School Bus Driver Honored for Helping Students After Crash
Related: Michael Miller Honored as 2025 Outstanding Transportation Director in Ohio

The post California School Bus Driver Honored by State for Commitment to Students appeared first on School Transportation News.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., – The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) has named Zūm to its list of the 2026 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies, supported by J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking.

Zum ranks No. 4 on this year’s list, which highlights the impressive scale, growth, and impact of women-owned or led enterprises around the world. To be eligible, all companies must be privately held, women-owned or led, and must have reached annual revenues of at least $500,000 in each of the last five years.

“Zum is proud to be modernizing mobility systems in more than 4,500 schools nationwide through Zum CMX, a fully integrated system designed to eliminate the anxiety, uncertainty, and lack of visibility that have plagued student transportation for decades,” said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum. “We are honored to be recognized on this prestigious list of the 2026 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies, and appreciate all of our team, customers, investors and partners who support our mission.”

“The women leading the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies are not only scaling successful businesses, they are navigating change, seizing opportunity, and setting the pace within their industries,” said Camille Burns, CEO of the Women Presidents Organization. “Their collective impact reflects the growing influence of women at the highest levels of business. These companies are redefining what scalable leadership looks like today.”Companies on the 2026 list represent a wide array of industries, including travel and hospitality, digital marketing, manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, human capital solutions, information technology and more. Combined, the 2026 50 Fastest generated $8.5 billion in revenue and employed more than 23,000 people in 2025 alone.

Zum’s technology-led and data-driven approach improves transparency, communication, and efficiency while delivering a safer, more reliable experience for students and families. The company recently announced a $100 million strategic investment from TPG, bringing its total funding to $430 million and valuing Zum at $1.7 billion.

Adopted in 17 states, Zum delivers its unified system across more than 4,500 schools, including Omaha Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, Kansas City Public Schools, Los Angeles Unified, and San Francisco Unified. Zum’s fully integrated Connected Mobility Experience (CMX) system connects people, vehicles, and operations in real time, reducing anxiety and creating reliable, safe and seamless transportation for families and schools.

The 2026 honorees will be formally recognized during the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum on May 7 in Hollywood, Florida. See the full list of the 2026 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies at women-presidents.com/news-events/50-fastest.

To learn more about how Zum is leading the nation in safe and reliable student mobility, visit www.ridezum.com.

About Women Presidents Organization (WPO)
The Women Presidents Organization (WPO) is a non-profit membership organization where dynamic and diverse women business leaders around the world tap into collective insight with exclusive access to entrepreneurial equals, innovative ideas, and executive education. WPO members have guided their business to generate at least $2 million USD in gross annual sales (or $1 million USD for a service-based business). Each WPO chapter serves as a professionally-facilitated peer advisory group for members where they can harness the momentum of their successes and cultivate new strategies that will take them even farther. Learn more at women-presidents.com.

About J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking
J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $4.4 trillion and operations worldwide. Commercial Banking serves emerging startups to mid-corporate businesses as well as government entities, not-for-profit organizations, and commercial real estate investors, developers and owners. Clients are supported through every stage of growth with specialized industry expertise and tailored financial solutions including digital banking and payments solutions, credit and financing, international banking, advisory services and more. Information about J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking is available at www.jpmorganchase.com/commercial.

About Zum
Zum is revolutionizing mass mobility with its Connected Mobility Experience (Zum CMX) system that connects and coordinates people, vehicles, and operations in real time. In the $50 billion student mobility market – the largest segment of the mass mobility industry – Zum CMX is transforming a daily source of anxiety and disruption into a reliable, transparent, and efficient mobility experience for students and families. Today, more than 4,500 schools rely on Zum CMX. Recognized globally for its innovative approach and operational execution, Zum has been named to Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50 and Changemakers, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times’ Fastest Growing Companies lists. Zum is backed by leading investors including Sequoia Capital, GIC, SoftBank, and TPG. Zum, Zum CMX, and associated logos are trademarks of Zum Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Learn more at www.ridezum.com.

The post Women Presidents Organization and J.P. Morgan Name Zum to List of 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies appeared first on School Transportation News.

Flow – Clean Air Edition uses 99.999% pure atmospheric CO? captured onsite by Aircapture’s Direct Air Capture system, which enables breweries to generate their own CO? and reduce reliance on unpredictable, fossil-fuel-based supply chains.   ALAMEDA, Calif., March 23, 2026 — Aircapture, a pioneer in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, and California craft beer brewery Almanac …

The post Aircapture and Almanac Beer Co. Launch World’s First Commercial Beer Carbonated with CO? Captured From the Atmosphere with Direct Air Capture appeared first on Alternative Energy HQ.