Caleb Caldwell at Fenton Mobility, gives School Transportation News Publisher and President Tony Corpin an up-close look at the future of wheelchair-accessible student transportation.
“This is the van school districts have been asking for,” Caldwell said, kneeling to demonstrate the Abilitrax removable flooring system. With a single tug, he unlatched the passenger seat and slid it forward twelve inches to lock back in place quickly and easily. “No tools, no drilling, no downtime. If a student’s mobility device changes tomorrow, we reconfigure the floor tonight. It also works with the Q’Straint tie-downs system.”
The AbiliTrax Modular Track System is rated to the current FMVSS & ADA safety standards yet remains infinitely adjustable. Districts can mix traditional forward-facing seats, flip seats, and multiple securement stations in the same vehicle without permanent modification.
Caldwell also demonstrates the Shift-N-Step with one smooth motion with a Braun Wheelchair Lift. “Attendees mouth dropped when they saw this innovative solution at the TSD Conference.”
The 2025 Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference buzzed with energy as hundreds of school transportation professionals converged on the Frisco Convention Center. Amid packed breakout sessions and exhibit halls, one experience stood out: Transfinder’s Technology Demo Ride Along aboard Type C school bus.
School Transportation News Publisher & President Tony Corpin caught up with John Daniels, Transfinder’s Vice President of Marketing to learn more.
“This isn’t a static demo,” Daniels said, gesturing toward the large video display onboard the school bus. “Attendees will board an operational school bus from Garland ISD and experience our solutions in motion—exactly as drivers and dispatchers use them every day.”
The 20-minute loop around Frisco, Texas showcased Transfinder’s flagship platform RouteFinder Plus and WayFinder. Riders watched live routing adjustments respond to simulated traffic, AI-powered stop-arm violation alerts trigger instant notifications, and tablet-based driver workflows streamline pre-trip inspections. GPS precision down to the curb ensured every scenario felt authentic.
As the fall approaches, it’s an opportune time to prioritize your individual and team’s professional growth. Two upcoming conferences in particular—the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference and the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs (TSD) Conference—offer invaluable opportunities to sharpen leadership skills, stay updated on industry trends, and forge meaningful connections. These events are essential for professionals aiming to excel in the dynamic field of school transportation.
The NAPT ACTS, scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 4 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, embraces the theme, “Driven by safety, guided by professional development.” The NAPT website states the event unites industry leaders with a shared goal: Ensuring safe and efficient transportation for every student. Attendees can expect Professional Development Series (PDS) training, discussions on industry challenges, and networking opportunities. The trade show provides an opportunity to explore solutions and connect with peers. Don’t miss the chance to visit booth #619 to meet the School Transportation News team and build new relationships that could shape your career.
You can also learn more about STN EXPO EAST in Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina on March 26-31, 2026. Meanwhile, the TSD Conference, taking place Nov. 6-11 in Dallas/Frisco, Texas, focuses specifically on transporting students with disabilities and special needs, providing hands-on safety training. This conference stands out for its specialized training and technology offerings, featuring four keynote speakers covering topics on student behavior and legal challenges and over two-dozen expert-led workshops. Attendees can also participate in the roadeo competition and the Technology Demonstration & Ride & Drive Experience on Friday, Nov.7. During the latter event, supplier partners and OEMs will showcase cutting-edge tools designed to enhance student safety and success.
The TSD Conference delves into best practices for supporting students with disabilities, offering insights that elevate both professional expertise and personal growth. By learning from seasoned professionals, attendees gain practical strategies to improve transportation services tailored to unique student needs. As one transportation director shared, “Conferences like TSD are vital for professional growth. They provide a platform to expand knowledge, develop skills and stay ahead of industry advancements. The networking and trade show sessions allowed me to exchange innovative ideas, build connections and gain insights critical for improving services, especially for students with disabilities and special needs.”
Beyond knowledge acquisition, these conferences foster collaboration and innovation. Trade shows expose participants to emerging technologies and potential partnerships, enabling them to integrate new tools into their operations. Engaging with exhibitors and fellow professionals sparks creative solutions to current challenges, ensuring school transportation remains efficient and student success focused. These interactions often lead to long-term collaborations that benefit both individuals and their organizations.
Conferences also offer enriching personal experiences. They provide a space to reconnect with colleagues, form new relationships and expand professional networks. These connections can lead to future opportunities, innovative problem-solving and collaborations that drive progress in school districts. The blend of professional development and meaningful networking creates a dynamic environment where attendees leave inspired and equipped to lead.
For those committed to advancing their careers, attending these conferences is a strategic investment. The NAPT and TSD conferences deliver actionable insights, access to industry leaders and motivation from inspiring speakers. They empower professionals to stay at the forefront of an evolving industry while building skills that directly impact student safety and success. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to the field, these conferences offer tools to help you grow both personally and professionally.
I encourage you to seize this opportunity by registering for the TSD Conference in Frisco, Texas. Visit tsdconference.com/agenda for details on the keynote speakers, educational sessions and networking events. The schedule is packed with opportunities to learn, connect and grow.
Investing in professional development through conferences like NAPT, TSD Conference and STN EXPO yields significant returns for both individuals and organizations. These events provide a platform to acquire new knowledge, build lasting connections and draw inspiration from industry pioneers. For anyone dedicated to advancing their career and improving school transportation, attending these conferences is a critical step toward achieving lasting success. By prioritizing professional growth, you are positioning you and your team to lead with confidence in an ever-changing school transportation industry.
Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the October 2025 issue of School Transportation News.
FRISCO, Texas. – Sunday evening featured a Tailgate Reception with dinner and drinks on the Trade Show floor among vendor booths. Attendees were encouraged to wear their favorite football jersey.
Then on Monday, attendees had another chance to network with vendors and view the best products and services on the school transportation market.
FRISCO, Texas – A Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference panel featuring three female special needs routing specialists explored how technology tools for routing, communication and real-time updates can help school transportation teams respond quickly to keep students safer and give parents peace of mind.
Garland Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, transports 1,000 students on 77 daily special education (SPED) routes. During the Sunday Lunch and Learn sponsored by Transfinder, special needs router Sierra Long said paper route sheets and siloed communication posed challenges that were fixed by implementing Transfinder technology. The technology streamlines information and disseminates it to the school bus drivers who need it.
The fleet is equipped with tablets, which both drivers and monitors were trained to access information specific to the student riders they transport. While switching from paper was challenging for veteran drivers, Long said they can troubleshoot over the radio if needed.
She added that operations got a safety boost now that school bus drivers are not glancing at paper route sheets and directions displayed on tablets can be quickly updated due to road conditions or blockages.
Long confirmed a “significant lack of calls” from parents who are now accustomed to finding their child’s bus information on the Stopfinder parent communication app.
She related an incident in which a parent berated a substitute driver who unknowingly released a student to an unapproved person. She said Transfinder customer support modified settings to show drivers pertinent notes on what students with IEPs need and who is approved to take custody of them.
With so many students to route for and paperwork to get in order, Long praised Routefinder’s capability to route dozens of students per hour, saving her team time.
“We don’t set our drivers up to fail,” she said. “We held a lot of trainings and we were very supportive of our staff.” The Transfinder suite was rolled out starting with a pilot program so as not to overwhelm staff.
Melissa Independent School District, also near Dallas, Texas, transports about 170 students with special needs.
Bailey Wouters, special education routing coordinator, said the district previously used different routing software but switched to the more user-friendly Transfinder. She said it took a little while for drivers to come around but once they did, implementation was smooth. The district can utilize an auto-routing feature and then tweak the routes according to student needs.
“The parent calls decreased because all the info is much more accessible,” she confirmed.
Geographic filters were set up so parents can see when the bus is approaching predetermined locations and notifications can be sent to affected families if a bus is delayed due to frequent construction in the area.
Wouters praised Transfinder tech support and customer support. With one click, she said she can see all the SPED students populated on a map and can easily consolidate or split routes.
“You can focus more on the child because the route’s just going to fall right into place,” she declared.
Meanwhile, Yvonne Morrison, special needs coordinator for Widefield School District #3 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, transports just over 200 students with disabilities on 27 routes.
The district is using paper ridership records and attendance sheets in addition to separate routing and GPS providers. Plus, she said, it is a manual process for drivers to check students on and off the bus. It can get heated when a parent is on the phone and wants answers as to their child’s location, she said to knowing chuckles in the audience.
Routefinder Plus routing software is in use and the Wayfinder driver app is being rolled out, with Morrison’s stated goal being to get all pertinent information in one place.
“Try and keep everything on one platform so it’s quicker and easier to access,” she advised attendees.
All three panelists spoke on the importance of digital records in cases of an emergency. Wouters and Long confirmed that RFID cards have proved helpful in pinpointing student locations. When route changes occur, student information is prepopulated in messages sent to parents through Stopfinder.
“Parents want to make sure their students are in good hands and they are where they need to be,” Long added.
She confirmed that risk management staff have access to Transfinder systems so if an accident occurs it can be quickly determined which students and families are affected. Additionally, educators are given access to Viewfinder so special education teachers can see where their students are.
An attendee noted that routes sometimes need feedback from drivers on the road so planned vs. actual routes line up. Long confirmed that things like right-side pickups and drop-offs can be stipulated in Routefinder systems.
Zach Moren, sales engineering lead at Transfinder, noted that technology is not always easy, but knowledgeable student transporters can make it work for their districts.
FRISCO, Texas — Several TSD Conference sessions were held on cultivating safe, inclusive and comfortable transportation for students with special needs.
Plus, a hands-on evacuation training for students with special needs and preschoolers was hosted at Prosper Independent School District.
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Left to right: Tony Corpin, publisher & president of School Transportation News; Sierra Long, special needs router for Garland Independent School District in Texas; Bailey Wouters, special education routing coordinator for Melissa Independent School District in Texas; Yvonne Morrison, special needs coordinator for Widefield School District #3 in Colorado; and Zach Moren, sales engineering lead at Transfinder.
Select TSD attendees participated in a school bus evacuation drill on Nov. 9, 2025.
FRISCO, Texas — Federal and state special education policy expert Glenna Wright-Gallo delivered a transformative message Sunday at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference about moving beyond mere compliance by creating meaningful educational experiences for students with disabilities, particularly through transportation services.
The general session underscored a fundamental message: transportation is not about moving students from one place to another, but about creating opportunities for learning, growth and inclusion.
Wright-Gallo, the former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services during the Biden administration and currently vice president of policy for assistive technology company Everway, began by challenging the audience views on the traditional approach to compliance.
“Compliance for the sake of compliance isn’t effective,” she stated.
She illustrated this point by comparing compliance to speed limit signs — many motorists don’t naturally slow down simply because a sign exists. Instead, she urged student transportation professionals to view their work as a critical component of student learning and access. “No matter what happens, no matter what political party is in the majority, education is a bipartisan issue, and children don’t have time for adults to get it together, right?” she said as as the audience applauded.
The presentation dove into recent policy shifts, highlighting how federal guidance is evolving to view transportation as more than a logistical challenge. “Transportation is access,” she emphasized, explaining that recent joint guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Transportation now explicitly frames transportation as a civil rights issue directly linked to student attendance and academic success.
During interactive group discussions, attendees revealed significant challenges in interdepartmental communication. One participant shared an example of managing a student who has an autism spectrum disorder, describing how they created reasonable modifications like positioning the student behind the driver to manage specific behavioral challenges. Another transportation director discussed the complexities of coordinating with special education departments, noting frequent communication gaps and last-minute changes that impact transportation planning.
Technology emerged as a potential solution to these challenges. Wright-Gallo encouraged innovative approaches, with one participant sharing how they used AI to create monthly training modules that build upon each other.
“Using AI, I made a training for every month that builds upon the previous months. I present it to my coordinators when we have our monthly meetings, and then they take it out and give it to their drivers that work under them,” explained John Haas, transportation director for Onslow County Schools in North Carolina. “That way, my whole district is being trained on the same thing.”
The funding landscape presented another critical challenge. Wright-Gallo acknowledged the uncertainties at state and federal levels, with many states still struggling to pass budgets. She proposed creative solutions, including exploring alternative funding sources and developing more collaborative approaches between different educational departments.
A key moment came when Wright-Gallo challenged participants to think beyond traditional compliance metrics. “It doesn’t matter what decision we make if it doesn’t result in something different for a student,” she declared, urging participants to focus on meaningful outcomes rather than bureaucratic checklists.
The discussion around technology was particularly nuanced. While embracing innovation, Wright-Gallo also cautioned against wholesale technological adoption. “Whatever goes into a learning management system comes out of it,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of high-quality initial content and training.
Participants were particularly engaged when discussing strategies for inclusive training and professional development. One transportation director shared their approach of coordinating annual in-service training with the special education department, demonstrating the type of collaborative approach Wright-Gallo advocated.
She concluded her keynote with a powerful call to action: “Lead where you live. Don’t wait for someone to give you the title of leader. Do what’s right.” She challenged participants to identify one concrete action they could take in the next 30 days to improve transportation services for students with disabilities.
Thursday afternoon, Wright-Gallo also presented a breakout session on transforming complex Department of Education guidelines in the form of “Dear Colleague” letters into practical, everyday applications.
She highlighted the intersection of key federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504, demonstrating how these regulations directly impact transportation services. She shared compelling stories illustrating policy gaps, such as substitute school bus drivers incorrectly denying service animals or mishandling students with neurodivergent conditions.
Regarding service animals, allowed by Section 504 of the ADA, Wright-Gallo clarified that only dogs and miniature horses qualify, and that districts can only ask two specific questions when presented with the request for service: Is the animal is required due to disability rather than being an emotional support animal, and what specific tasks does it perform?
She stressed the importance of avoiding blanket policies that might inadvertently discriminate against students with disabilities.
Funding emerged as another critical theme, with Wright-Gallo revealing multiple potential funding streams for transportation services, including innovative uses of federal funds for training, hiring and supporting student needs. She encouraged transportation directors to explore creative funding approaches and build cross-departmental partnerships.
Assistive technology received significant attention, with Wright-Gallo defining it broadly—from low-tech picture boards to high-tech communication devices. “Assistive technology does not replace a teacher or driver, it enables participation and independence,” she explained, emphasizing that these tools must be accessible during transportation and all school activities.
James Haas, director of transportation for Onslow County Schools in North Carolina, discusses use of AI to help with training during the Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 keynote at TSD Conference.
FRISCO, Texas — STN Transportation Director of the Year Keba Baldwin sat on a panel discussion Saturday afternoon with peers Julie Hrebicek of Magnolia Independent School District in Texas and Quanika Dukes-Spruill of the Newark Board of Education in New Jersey.
Dukes-Spruill said she contracts with 63 providers, which requires a lot of management, oversight and compliance checking. The district transports 4,500 students in-district with another 600 students transported to and from out-of-district programs. She said last year a large undertaking was updating routes to adhere to a new district policy of universal bell times. In house, Newark has a small fleet of school buses operated by 19 drivers.
Meanwhile, Hrebicek said Magnolia ISD north of Houston has a district of 152-square miles, 115 routes, 85 of which are regular and 30 are special needs. She said Magnolia does contract out some Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act students and some students with high-intensity behavior. After a $4 an hour pay raise, she said her district went from being 20 drivers short to having 12 currently in training.
Hrebicek said Magnolia is growing, and staff are seeing a lot of behaviors and various levels of those behaviors exhibited by students with disabilities. However, she said, what she’s finding is that instead of placing students in the least restrictive environment, transportation defaults to placing students in the most restrictive due to accommodating parent requests.
She continued that drivers are provided with high-intensity training to handle behaviors, as there have been several physical altercations with drivers and aides.
Dukes-Spruill said bus aides are an important part of transporting students successfully and safely. “It’s the driver’s responsibility to get there but not necessarily manage behaviors on the bus,” she said in terms of transporting students with special needs.
Written into the contracts with transportation providers, she said that each route must have an aide. Plus, she said, the district also has transportation inspectors that ensure every guideline and rule in the contract is being carried out on the road.
Baldwin, the director of transportation for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, added he, too, has seen a growth in the number of students with IEPs and transportation as a related service. He said when it comes to IEP, transportation needs to have a seat at the table. He said with the various disabilities served, transportation depends on and collaborates with its special education teams to guide the decisions.
Dukes-Spruill agreed that collaboration is key. She said that Newark has monthly mandatory partnership meetings that are designed for two-way communication, where the district and contractor partners share expectations and things that are working or not.
Hrebicek said if transportation isn’t present at the IEP meeting, service requirements could be put in the contract that may work in the classroom but are unsafe when on the school bus. She underscored the importance of a transportation employee’s perspective.
Dukes-Spruill added that vendors are required to provide incident reports on anything that happens on the bus. Plus, transportation employees request GPS location if buses are late and camera footage, if needed. She said it’s in the contract that they will request this information.
Baldwin said one benefit has been pulling camera footage remotely but also viewing live feeds. Driver and dispatcher communication is crucial, he said, because the dispatcher can log in remotely to see what the situation is and then decide next steps and communicate it to the driver and others who need to be involved.
He noted it’s important to go back to the basics and build relationships with students as well. “There is always other ways, you can’t depend on one way to do something, you have to have multiple options to serve students,” he said, adding the student may have had a terrible day at their school, and now they’re going to be on a school bus for an hour, which could lead to dangerous situations.
He said they encourage drivers to ask, “How are they, today?”
Hrebicek noted that safety is paramount, and while her staff tries to convey to a student that what happened at school, happened at school, “let’s have a new time on the school bus.” If the student is deemed to be unsafe on the school bus or another vehicle, the parent would be called to transport them and receive the necessary expense reimbursement.
Dukes-Spruill said Newark’s transportation department has a strong partnership with the office of special education. She noted a child who is experiencing dangerous behaviors will not be placed on the bus without intervention.
Baldwin, the director of transportation and central garage at Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) in Maryland, thanked his mother as well as past and present transportation families.
“I’ve worked in North Carolina. I’ve worked in Virginia. Now, being in Maryland, I cannot go without saying thank you to those team members because what they provided to me was the willingness to share their thoughts, their honesty, their collaboration to help me grow, help them grow,” Baldwin said during his acceptance speech. “There’s a little saying that I always have kept in mind, from my athletic days, ‘you’re only as strong as your weakest person.’ The goal is to build everybody together.”
He thanked those team members for their collaboration and dedication. Addressing his current transportation team at PGCPS, he shared the slogan, “Gorgeous, Prince George’s.”
Baldwin added his team at PGCPS has challenged him to do good things.
“It’s really through your resilience that you have the perseverance,” he said. “These are folks that have been in this industry since day one, since first job out of high school. This is what they’re done for 15 years to 48 years of service. Folks that are in our transportation field and have a strong passion, just like you [all in the audience] have, and so all of this goes to them, because without them, their effort and their push, I’m not here doing this.”
He said it’s the support from various departments that helps drive what transportation does every day. He showed appreciation for his administrative support team, many of whom were in the audience to support him when receiving the award.
“Then finally, to all of you, this is a great venue. I want to say thank you to STN. Thank you to Blue Bird for just creating an opportunity for us to continue to come together, to network, learn from one another,” he concluded. “Each time we come, you meet new people, you learn new ideas. We need that. That’s how we get stronger. So again, thank you to Tony, STN and Bluebird for all that you do for us, it just makes me feel incredibly humble to accept this award, not only for myself, but for my team members past and present. Even with all of you, we’re going to this work happen for our students that we serve.”
Steven Whaley, alternative fuels manager of award sponsor Blue Bird, introduced Baldwin as a data-driven, technology-savvy director. “It’s my honor to present this award to someone whose career journey is as inspiring as his leadership” he said.
PCGPS transports over 85,000 students, over 4,500 of which are students with special needs transported on the school bus. it is the 10th largest school district in in the U.S.
Baldwin is featured in the November edition of School Transportation News magazine.
FRISCO, Texas — Transportation safety experts gathered at TSD Conference to address a critical challenge: Teaching school bus safety to students with disabilities through innovative, personalized approaches that go beyond traditional instruction methods.
The session presented Saturday by Jill Metcalfe, a former executive director of student transportation and founder of STSB Training, highlighted the transformative power of social stories and visual aids, revealing that students with disabilities often learn best through carefully crafted, individualized communication strategies. She emphasized the importance of creating visual narratives that speak directly to each student’s unique learning needs.
“If I was in a wheelchair and had never ridden a school bus before, I would lose my mind,” said Metcalfe, a transportation safety specialist, highlighting the overwhelming experience many students with disabilities face during daily transportation.
Her powerful statement underscored TSD Conference’s central messages: Safety education must be compassionate, individualized and carefully designed.
Metcalfe emphasized the transformative power of social stories, describing them as more than just instructional tools.
“These are not just stories,” she explained. “They’re personalized narratives that help students see themselves successfully navigating bus safety.”
By inserting a student’s name into carefully crafted stories and using their own images, educators can create powerful, relatable learning experiences.
The session revealed innovative visual strategies that make safety education engaging and accessible. Educators are now using creative methods like dinosaur figurines to demonstrate safe bus stop positioning, LEGO figures to act out safety scenarios and customized digital checklists that help students track their own safety behaviors.
“We want to make safety learning fun,” Metcalfe noted. “If we can engage a student’s imagination, we can help them understand complex safety procedures.”
She shared examples of social stories that incorporate personalized details, such as teaching a student she named “Anthony” about proper school bus boarding techniques through a narrative specifically designed for him.
The approach recognizes that students with disabilities require more than generic safety instructions. For students on the autism spectrum, this might mean creating highly structured visual guides with predictable, step-by-step instructions. For students with physical disabilities, visual aids might demonstrate wheelchair accessibility procedures or safe boarding techniques.
“The key is preparation and understanding,” Metcalfe stressed. “We need to help students feel comfortable and confident, not overwhelmed.”
This philosophy extends to creating visual aids that reduce anxiety, such as showing exactly where to sit on a bus or how to interact with a driver.
Crucially, the session stressed the importance of collaboration between transportation departments and special education teams. By working together, these professionals can develop tools that are not just informative, but truly inclusive and empowering.
Positive reinforcement emerged as another key strategy. Attendees in the room shared success stories of using certificates, tracking charts and playful incentive systems to encourage safe bus behaviors. The goal is to make safety learning a positive, rewarding experience that builds confidence and independence.
The rise of AI and technology tools like Canva can help educators and student transporters more easily create social stories, though she cautioned that actual student information should never be inputted into AI engines so child’s identity is protected.
“Remember,” Metcalfe concluded, “we’re approaching bus safety calmly, consistently and with care. The stormy period will pass if we remain patient and committed to our students’ success.”
FRISCO, Texas — Saturday featured a keynote from special education attorney Betsey Helfrich and numerous breakout sessions on collaborating across departments for the safety and support of students with special needs.
Additionally, the Roadeo Competition was coordinated by Women in Transportation (wit.) offsite at Frisco Independent School District.
A Lunch & Learn saw Blue Bird and Zonar client representatives discuss fuel of choice and technology case studies.
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Diane Mikelski, right, discusses the benefits of propane school buses when transporting students with disabilities as well as for general operations on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
Diane Mikelski, right, discusses the benefits of propane school buses when transporting students with disabilities as well as for general operations on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
From left: Todd Silverthorn, transportation supervisor for Kettering City Schools in Ohio, participated in a TSD Conference 2025 session on technology with STN Publisher Tony Corpin and propane advocate Diana Mikelski.
From left: Todd Silverthorn, transportation supervisor for Kettering City Schools in Ohio, participated in a TSD Conference 2025 session on technology with STN Publisher Tony Corpin and propane advocate Diana Mikelski.
From left: Keba Baldwin, the director of transportation for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, and Quanika Dukes-Spruill of the Newark Board of Education in New Jersey, and Julie Hrebicek of Magnolia Independent School District in Texas spoke on a panel at TSD Conference Nov. 8, 2025.
From left: Keba Baldwin, the director of transportation for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, and Quanika Dukes-Spruill of the Newark Board of Education in New Jersey, and Julie Hrebicek of Magnolia Independent School District in Texas spoke on a panel at TSD Conference Nov. 8, 2025.
Transportation Director of the Year Keba Baldwin accepted his award at TSD Conference on Nov. 8, 2025.
FRISCO, Texas – Transportation Supervisor Todd Silverthorn shared how Kettering City Schools in Ohio improved efficiency, safety and accountability by integrating technology and promoting hands-on staff engagement.
Silverthorn said in Saturday’s Zonar-sponsored TSD Conference Lunch and Learn session that Kettering City Schools was looking for a technology solution to help with issues such as drivers being unfamiliar with routes, two-way radios not working in communication blackout spots, and the need to improve on-time performance.
Pairing Transfinder routing information and ByteCurve driver management with Zonar GPS helped the transportation department discover efficiencies and eliminate multiple routes, he said. Tracking the school buses helps direct mechanics to a broken-down vehicle or locate a one when a parent asks where it is.
Payroll issues are also solved faster as each driver’s route is tracked so it can be determined, for instance, if they were on a field trip route on a day that they missed clocking in. Turn-by-turn navigation has replaced paper route sheets and digital report keeping allows the pulling of data requested by law enforcement, Silverton explained.
To assist with implementation, the district took a “train-the-trainer” approach and educated several employees who then instructed the rest of the staff. It also received National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) grants to help offset the cost of the software and subscriptions.
Silverthorn advised not to add too many technologies at once. He underscored the importance of involving staff in planning discussions and building in time for troubleshooting. He said he shows his drivers that both he and the data are there to support them, not simply surveil them “Big Brother” style.
He added that the data from his technology stack facilitates fuel savings, route efficiencies, streamlined payroll, DVR storage, easier driver navigation and conflict resolution.
A third of his fleet transports students with special needs and on-time performance is huge for this population, he said, noting how crucial it is to pinpoint specific bus locations. He recounted one incident in which a bus on the highway needed immediate assistance due to a student having a meltdown. The live GPS tracking allowed a trained aide to be dispatched there quickly.
Being able to monitor bus locations and provide parents with answers as to where their children are helps prevent said parents from showing up to bus stops and becoming aggressive with drivers, said Silverthorn, who is also the executive director of the Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation.
In answer to an attendee’s question on data security, Silverthorn said that the data is simply a livestream within the routing software and does not leave that environment.
FRISCO, Texas – An Illinois transportation director shared the story of how propane school bus implementation turned things around for students with special needs.
Recently retired Diana Mikelski has 32 years of experience in student transportation and, until this summer, served as director of transportation for Township High School District 211 in Illinois, overseeing 163 buses and 45 vans transporting nearly 9,000 students more than 7,700 miles each school day.
She recalled in the Blue Bird-sponsored TSD Conference Lunch and Learn Saturday afternoon that the construction of a new parking lot necessitated a change to where the school buses were parked. When school bus drivers started the ignition on the diesel vehicles, the smoke penetrated a nearby school building. Things got so bad. the principal came running out to alert the drivesr of the issue.
Seeking a cleaner energy option, she said district administrators consulted with nearby districts and chose propane as the new fuel to transition to. She received a budget of $1 million approved by Township High School District and paired it with EPA grant money to initially purchase and implement 15 propane buses, in what she described as a “seamless” process working with Blue Bird, ROUSH CleanTech, fuel provider AmeriGas, and local vendors.
Mikelski reviewed the extra particulate matter filters and treatment that older diesel buses require, which means more work and more money spent. District bus mechanics adjusted to propane well, she said.
“My shop was fine. If you can handle diesel and gas, you can handle propane,” she stated.
Fuel currently costs her $1.25 per gallon for Township, which frees up funds for bus air conditioning and other perks.
The propane buses were a boon for special needs students, Mikelski said. An amazed special education teacher called to inform her that students were coming into school calmer, de-escalated and ready to learn. Together they discovered that the propane buses the students were riding were quieter than the diesel ones, so both drivers and students could communicate without shouting. They could actually hear the music they used to soothe themselves, and some students did not need their normal noise cancelling headphones.
“Everyone was calmer, happier getting off the bus and going into the building,” she confirmed. “It is a marked improvement.”
STN Publisher and session moderator Tony Corpin recalled that Saturday morning’s keynote by Betsey Helfrich discussing legal aspects like Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) noted that parents seeing these benefits may request propane buses in their child’s IEP.
In addition to the sound-level reduction, Mikelski shared that students in wheelchairs did not have to create makeshift blanket shields against noxious diesel fumes while loading the school buses, as they sometimes had to do. She confirmed that propane buses do not have to idle longer than 15 minutes to warm up, even in Illinois winters.
“These buses are running cleaner than anything right now,” she said, referring to the ultra-low nitrogen oxide levels of 0.02 g/bhp-hr that ROUSH CleanTech propane fuel systems are certified to meet. She added that Ford, Blue Bird and ROUSH CleanTech were more than satisfactory partners, noting she is not anxious about winter operations.
She corrected common misconceptions that propane could literally blow up the whole bus operation. Corpin reviewed the domestically produced, clean and safe nature of propane, which is commonly used to cook food via burners and grills. Mikelski said she even performed a test using a white hanky test to illustrate that propane school bus tailpipes don’t emit black soot like older diesel models can.
“Know that you’re supported,” she said. “This is a very easy way to move into an alternative fuel without a lot of angst along the way.”
The day was followed by a keynote presentation by Michele Gay, who discussed developing and delivering safety curricula and training. The night ended with a Ride & Drive and Welcome Party at Topgolf The Colony.
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Attendees on the first day of the TSD Conference on Nov. 7, 2025.
At the National Association for Pupil Transportation Annual Conference and Trade Show (ACTS) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, keynote speaker Darryl Bellamy inspired the audience with creating transparency around common fears and how to move forward from fear paralysis.
Bellamy said during his Nov. 1 presentation that over his career he has collected 75,000 fears handwritten by individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and careers. He explained that across the ages, from 8 years old to 80, the fears seem to fall into the same categories. He led attendees through multiple interactive exercises to analyze their individual reactions to fear.
After the first exercise, where attendees closed their eyes to visualize what thoughts the word “fear” triggered, Bellamy explained that generally people have a negative feeling when it comes to fear. However, he said, fear is not the enemy. Inaction is. Fear is a natural response, a check-engine light to signal us that we are feeling discomfort or unsafe and is something we need to survive as humans. But it cannot stop us from pushing through.
“What I truly want is for you to not feel fearless, but to fear a little less,” said Bellamy.
The symbolic fire where attendees placed their unspoken fears
The next exercise had each member of the audience write down their greatest fears on pieces of paper and then place them in a symbolic fire on the stage. Bellamy read aloud some of these written responses, noting the common themes and statements made. These included fear of how we are perceived, fear of not accomplishing goals, fear of appearing incompetent, fear of not being good enough, fear of losing a job or income, fear of making mistakes and fear of letting others down.
Volunteers from the audience stood up to voice their biggest fears, and Bellamy asked the rest of the attendees to affirm their agreement with each fear by snapping their fingers. This demonstration, he said, proves that while fear can feel very isolating, oftentimes we are facing similar fears as do the people around us.
One attendee said, “My biggest fear is that someone is going to outwork me, that they’re smarter than me.” Another said “People who know me see me as strong, powerful but inside I feel like an imposter. I’m so scared, so anxious.” Many of the attendees nodded in agreement with the statement, “I fear that I’m not being an effective enough leader for my team,” and “I fear that my best won’t be enough.”
“You’re never alone in your journey. We just don’t talk about it enough. The fears we hide are the ones that connect us the most. Don’t keep it in your head, talk with someone about it, you give it less your power and we can work through it a little bit easier,” said Bellamy.
Bellamy said the first step is to “trace” or identify the fear, name it and break out of the “fear loop,” which he defined by feelings of stress, helplessness, distrust, dread, panic and anxiety. The next step is to “embrace” by managing your response and taking action.
He explained his 5-Second Rule. “When a thought comes into our head, we usually talk ourselves in or out of it in five seconds.” He used the metaphor of a retreat, where individuals were on a high-ropes course, and one woman was too afraid to let go of the rope to get back off the course. Bellamy said he counted out loud from five to one, and her instinct helped her let go. He explained that when we’re in a fear loop, our bodies often show physical signs of tension. Making a small change, such as deep breathing or smiling, can unlock the ability to take action. This action, Bellamy explained, may not always be perfect, but it promotes learning and growth as opposed to inaction.
Bellamy gave his list of the five questions he encourages attendees to ask themselves in a moment of fear:
1. What exactly am I afraid of?
2. What if it goes well?
3. If I failed, how would I grow?
4. What would be my first steps?
5. What regret would I have if I didn’t take action?
The final step, said Bellamy, is “grace,” being kind to yourself and bouncing back when things don’t go perfectly. He said reminds himself that we’re all on the same journey of life iwith the statement, “I made the best decision with the information and who I was at the time.”
Often, the uncertainty and the regret of inaction is what will cause more stress in the long run, he said. He referenced a study that asked subjects to write down all the things they were worried about and then track those events over the next 30 days. The study found that only 15 percent of the worries came to fruition while 79 percent turned out better than expected. He ended with words of encouragement. “You’ve survived 100 percent of your bad days. The goal is not perfection, it’s progress,” he shared.
Keynote speaker Darryl Bellamy, wearing tie, poses with, left, school bus driver Crystal Foster, and, right, bus monitor Joclyn Johnson and transportation director David Poag from Spartanburg School District 6 in South Carolina. Johnson and Foster were recognized at NAPT ACTS with the Heroism Award, sponsored by Blue Bird, for saving three children from a house fire while driving their route.
School Transportation News was on-site at the National Association for Pupil Transportation ACTS in Grand Rapids, Michigan Oct. 31 – Nov. 4. Browse photos from the conference and trade show, including the induction of new board members, elected officials, Hall of Fame members, annual awards and industry sessions.
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National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Executive Director and CEO Molly McGee-Hewitt addresses attendees at NAPT ACTS 2025
The official app sponsored by Transfinder gives attendees of the TSD Conference in Dallas-Frisco, Texas, all the event information they need as well as aa dedicated space to make connections.
1. Download the EventScribe App
Search for “Eventscribe” on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Alternatively, scan the QR code, below, with your smart phone and it will automatically direct you to download.
Install and open the app. Find your event icon in the Upcoming Events (bottom row) or search for TSD Conference.
2. Log in to the App
Once the event is selected, you will be prompted to log in. Enter your email address and password (the same credentials you used to register for the event — password is your Registrant ID).
3. Access the Event Features
After logging in, access event schedules, session details, speaker information, exhibitor lists, and more.
Browse the event information and create a personal schedule by tapping on the star next to presentation titles. If you pre-registered for a session, it will show up as a “Favorite.”
Tips!
Download the app before you go! Wi-Fi connection onsite can affect the functionality of the app.
The four icons at the top of the home screen allow quick access to information on Schedules, Speakers, Exhibitors, and the Activity Feed. Also on the home screen are shortcuts to the Scavenger Hunt, Trade Show Floor Plan, list of Attendees, and Event Information.
Use the Schedule tab to see all the available sessions and select the star button next to your chosen ones to create personalized schedules for the week.
From the app homepage, access lists of Attendees and Trade Show Exhibitors. Send connection requests to other attendees and mark the star next to vendors you connect with to keep the conversations flowing even after the conference.
Share your thoughts! After each session, complete a three-question survey to provide feedback. Near the end of the conference, an overall evaluation will be available for your general impressions. Your input is greatly appreciated!
The Touchdown Challenge Scavenger Hunt starts on Sunday, Nov. 11, the day of the Trade Show. Visit vendor booths to scan QR codes and unlock questions to answer. The more Trade Show booths you visit and correct answers you give, the faster you climb the leaderboard toward some end zone prizes!
Also featured is the Ride & Win Scavenger Hunt, which takes place during Friday evening’s Safety & Technology Product Demonstration/Special Needs Ride & Drive. Complete all sponsor demos and scan QR codes on the app to earn a spin at the prize wheel.
Rules and details for both scavenger hunts are available on the app under the Information button.
We’re excited to introduce Snapsight, an AI-powered tool available during select sessions at this year’s TSD Conference. Snapsight provides live text, transcription and translation during presentations. It also generates AI key takeaways and summaries so attendees can easily review important points after each session. In addition, Snapsight’s Ideal Cloud feature visually maps out key ideas and themes discussed, offering an engaging way to reflect on the content.
As always, stay tuned at stnonline.com and social media channels for extensive conference and trade show coverage, including articles, photo galleries, videos and more. Plus, visit tsdconference.com for more conference information, including the conference program.
STN EXPO East returns to North Carolina with six days of exciting and innovative educational, networking and training opportunities for the student transportation industry.
The conference opens with a Welcome Reception at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa Thursday, March 26. The Transportation Director Summit begins Friday and continues Saturday with an off-site, all-day exclusive event focused on collaborative problem-solving and leadership development at Topgolf Charlotte Southwest.
Keynote speaker and author Jim Knight will address directors at the Transportation Director Summit Saturday, followed by conference attendees Monday with his presentation “Culture That Rocks: Set List on How to Amp Up the Company’s Culture (to Eleven) and Deliver Sustainable Results.”
The Bus Technology Summit and Green Bus Summit will feature the latest best practices in green leadership as well as interactive demonstrations of technology offerings. The National School Bus Inspection Training will once again offer hands-on as well as classroom training.
Networking events will be held throughout the conference to give attendees time to interact and problem-solve with their peers, expert speakers and vendors. These events include the Road to Championship Networking Reception on Saturday, the Technology Demonstrations and Ride & Drive Reception at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, and the Trade Show/Networking Pit Stop Reception on Monday.
Attendees will also have a chance to tour the Thomas Built Buses C2 Plant in High Point, North Carolina, on Tuesday, March 31. Space is limited for unique experiences, so secure your space soon.
STN EXPO East will be held March 26- 31, 2026 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa. Save $200 on main conference registration when registering by Dec. 19. at stnexpo.com/east.
Registration is now open for the 2026 ACT Expo, which returns to Las Vegas, Nevada, in the spring.
The 16th ACT Expo, held May 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, will feature sessions on AI and autonomy as well as zero-emission vehicles. Originally called the Advanced Clean Transportation, ACT Expo for short, will now be known solely as ACT Expo, which event producers TRC Companies, said reflects the “expanded scope across advanced, autonomous, connected, and clean transportation technologies.”
TRC noted that ACT Expo can no longer “be simply defined as the clean or advanced technology show — it has become so much more.”
The event, which annually attracts over 12,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors, “offers end-users the most current insight into the key technology trends driving the market today and in the years ahead, practical lessons from peers, direct access to every major OEM and industry supplier in the market, strategies to boost competitiveness and accelerate the use of high-tech and clean vehicles and fuel, and the relationships that drive long-term success,” a press release on the event states.
The ACT Expo traditionally has hosted one school-bus-specific session each year and features school buses on the trade floor from various manufacturers. This year, however, TRC Companies said ACT Expo will place a greater emphasis on the digital frontier, reflecting industry investment in software-defined vehicles, real-time data collection and analysis via the use of AI and autonomy.
“Through end-user case studies, the event will highlight how these cutting-edge technologies are improving performance, safety, and ROI, while giving attendees a clear view of where and how they are scaling,” the release states.
In addition to the technologies, the conference will continue to highlight ultra-clean vehicles and low-carbon fuels, spotlighting infrastructure.
“The pace of change and acceleration of advanced technologies in commercial transportation is phenomenal; it’s unlike anything we have seen before,” stated Erik Neandross, president of Clean Transportation Solutions at TRC. “From the boardroom to the show floor, ACT Expo is the one place where C-suite representatives from fleets, OEMs, and infrastructure partners engage directly to shape real-world progress and the future of their businesses. It’s where fleet leaders learn what’s actually working in the field, what’s just around the corner, and where they can better understand proven strategies that can deliver both economic and environmental results.”
School Transportation News is a media sponsor of the event.
Directors of transportation from across the U.S. are set to convene for a roundtable discussion addressing the complex landscape of special needs student transportation. The panel features three distinguished transportation directors who will share insights from their diverse regional experiences.
The Nov. 8 TSD Conference session promises to provide transportation professionals with a comprehensive look at the current state of special needs student transportation and innovative approaches to overcoming systemic challenges.
Keba Baldwin of Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland oversees a split urban-rural county transportation system that covers not only a 486 square-mile area but one that ventures into the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. He will discuss managing a significant driver shortage, as his department currently faces 150 unfilled driver positions. His district, the 18th largest in the U.S., is implementing innovative workforce development strategies, including an internship program to recruit and train new transportation staff.
Julie Hrebicek from Magnolia Independent School District near Houston, Texas will highlight the growing challenges of transporting students with increasingly complex disabilities. Magnolia ISD is also confronting a critical driver shortage and seeking solutions through targeted training and potential pay increases to attract and retain qualified drivers.
Quanika Dukes-Spruill represents a unique transportation model in Newark, New Jersey. She will share her perspective on managing transportation via 63 contractors while successfully navigating budget constraints that have nearly doubled her transportation costs from $28 million to over $50 million annually.
In addition to driver recruitment and financial challenges, the panelists with discuss specialized training and operational needs for transporting students with individualized education programs as well as those served by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, technological innovations in routing, and behavioral management strategies.
The panel is part of the five-day event held at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Convention Center. Registration remains open online and will be available on site.
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