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NAPT Statement Provides Recommendations for Alternative Transportation

By: Ruth Ashmore

16 December 2024 at 23:50

The yellow school bus might be the most iconic way for students to get to school but the industry is also increasingly utilizing alternative vehicles in circumstances where a traditional school bus may not be able or be the best option to accommodate the route or students.

“While it is always preferable that children ride on yellow school buses there are some areas and instances where this may not be possible,” reads a statement paper the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) released earlier this year and ahead of the National Congress on School Transportation in May. “In such situations, it is crucial that children are transported in the safest possible vehicles and driven by qualified, trained, and well-regulated drivers.”

The NAPT paper outlines the current emerging trend of alternative transportation and the association’s recommendations to student transporters who are using vehicles other than the school bus. It notes the ongoing shortage of school bus drivers is a contributing factor to the increase of use of alternative vehicles.

“As this trend has increased, NAPT believes it is important to clarify appropriate and necessary steps to ensure the safety of our school children when such services are utilized by school districts,” the statement says.

It comes as no surprise that safety is the top priority and consideration, which NAPT says includes driver qualifications, vehicle integrity and safety features. The statement recognizes that alternative transportation service providers have taken the initiative to set safety standards and that the NAPT has worked directly with some of these providers.

“Our purpose and interest is to create clearer and nationally applicable standards that can be employed by school districts to make appropriate decisions to meet their needs,” emphasizes the statement. “We intend to involve the alternate provider community in our efforts as partners and collaborators.”

School Transportation News discussed the statement with Peter Mannella, who is NAPT’s public policy and communications liaison. Mannella recently spoke at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference in November, leading a panel discussion on alternative transportation services for students with special needs. He mentioned the statement and pointed attendees to it on the NAPT website. He also said the NAPT took no position in publishing the paper.

Instead, he told STN that NAPT intentionally did not set standards but chose “to identify those elements or factors for which school districts should have standards, especially in the absence of national standards or even consistent state-level standards. Clearly, standard setting rests with federal and/or state agencies with input from professional associations like NAPT and our partners.”

During the Nov. 11 TSD Conference panel discussion, Mannella noted that the industry recognizes that alternative transportation can be a good thing “but it would be better if we could shape it differently, if we could put some restrictions or regulations or requirements around it to help us be sure we’re doing the right thing.

The NAPT statement lists what it describes as “clear and reasonable criteria” to help districts ensure that the alternative transportation service providers are not only able to meet the transportation needs of the students but that they are meeting the same or similar safety standards that are required of the yellow school bus and its drivers.

“We are seeing diverse approaches to these services including entry into the market of major private school bus contractors, parental arrangements and more,” Mannella said, which he added also emphasizes the need for consistent federal and state regulations.

He also advised districts to involve legal departments and insurance providers to make sure liability considerations are addressed.

“These arrangements are legal and financial transactions and need to be handled and managed accordingly,” he said. “It is incumbent on a school district to take reasonable care and precautions in ensuring the safety of their students and to not compromise on safety in those relationships, and that of necessity applies to alternate transportation providers.”

NAPT said alternative transportation providers should ensure that all their drivers have a current license appropriate to the vehicle they are using and have systems in place to require drivers undergo criminal background checks and random drug and alcohol testing. Training is also crucial, including training for emergency situations, loading and unloading, student behavior management, bullying and bullying prevention. Transporting students with special needs will also require drivers to be aware of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) requirements and provisions that need to be made.

The statement continues that vehicle safety requirements should include “adequate signage to ensure that the public is aware that the vehicle is transporting children, and that caution is needed.” There should also be frequent maintenance inspections to ensure that the vehicle is roadworthy and safe, in accordance with state requirements.

NAPT also lists evacuation training protocol, enforcement of vehicle capacity, and ensuring that safety equipment outlined in the IEP is onboard, which can include child restraint safety systems, capacity to secure wheelchairs or medical equipment, as factors that should be present.

“The board and our CEO/Executive Director [Molly McGee Hewitt] have determined that it is important for NAPT to offer members resources to help them in the performance of their duties for their schools and the children they serve. We believe this statement sets the table for further conversations and advocacy,” Mannella added

NAPT concludes the papers aying that it will continue to collaborate with state associations, business partners, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, and the National School Transportation Association to continue the discussion, moving towards consistent, safety-centered federal/ state guidelines and legislations regarding alternative transportation.

The post NAPT Statement Provides Recommendations for Alternative Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

New York Middle Schooler Wins Annual Poster Contest

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo-Vigo

10 December 2024 at 23:27

Melissa Yang, a student at Bethlehem Central Middle School was the winner of the 2023-2024 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest.

The theme this year was “Driving Safely into the Future”, and the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) released a statement on Oct. 22 expressing their thoughts on Yang’s artwork.

“Yang’s artwork skillfully captures this theme by creatively conveying an important message intended to motivate and educate the educational community. Yang emphasizes the importance of following school bus safety protocols to guarantee a thriving future for any school community. She also illustrates the past, highlighting a longstanding commitment to school bus safety over the years”

NAPT states that the poster contest is judged on safety impact, originality, artistic qualities and visual impact.

On Wednesday, Bethlehem Central School District released a statement announcing it will be participating in the 2025 NYAPT School Bus Safety Poster Contest.

Posters may be submitted under five categories:
Division 1: Grades K-2
Division 2: Grades 3-5
Division 3: Grades 6-8
Division 4: Special Education
Division 5: CAD (Computer Aided Drawing)
Division 6: Driver, Monitor and Attendant

All posters must first be submitted to and judged by the Bethlehem Central Transportation Department. A winning poster will be chosen from each division and will then be entered into the State Contest and sent to the NYAPT office. The final day for submissions will be Feb. 17, 2025.

According to NYAPT the theme for the 2024-2025 contest will be “Safety First- Safety Always”. Posters judged and selected by each chapter for entry into the State Contest must be received by the NYAPT office on or before March 1, 2025.

The post New York Middle Schooler Wins Annual Poster Contest appeared first on School Transportation News.

Donning a Leadership Cap

School Transportation News

By: Ryan Gray

26 November 2024 at 16:25

School Transportation News staff weigh many factors when looking for the next Transportation Director of the Year. Accomplishments in the industry, especially over the past couple of years, weigh heavily. So, too, do their leadership skills. There are
plenty of options to choose from each year, which is a good thing. It can also make the selection a daunting one. Thankfully, we have many examples to use as a litmus test for what makes a strong and successful director of transportation.

Look no further than George Edward (Ed) Donn. You may have read at stnonline.com/go/kp that Ed died last month at the age of 85. He was one of the most decorated student transporters in the industry’s history. He was also as nice as he was knowledgeable about his trade. The dictionary should have Ed’s photo next to the word “gentleman.”

I was saddened when, during an introduction of the NAPT Foundation board members at last month’s Annual Conference and Trade Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, it was mentioned that Ed was unable to attend. I wondered about his health. I knew he was heartbroken following the death of wife Sandi in 2001. I spoke to him several times since then, most recently this past spring. He was still the same old Ed, kind, complimentary, insightful, and asking about my family. But something was different.

My heart was lightened upon learning that he died peacefully at a hospital in Marietta, Georgia, located about an hour southwest of his home in Calhoun. He relocated there in the early 1990s after retiring from Washington County Public Schools in Maryland, where he served as director of transportation for 16 years. Before that, he was the assistant director at Prince George’s County Public Schools also in Maryland.

He not only left an impression on tens of thousands of student riders over his career but as many student transportation professionals. It was Ed who co-founded the NAPT Foundation and the NAPT Professional Development Series. He was immortalized in the NAPT Hall of Fame for his efforts and received the NAPT Distinguished Service Award. He was an entrepreneur, co-founding video surveillance company Bus Vision and then 24/7 Security.

But knowing Ed, his accomplishments were never about himself but others, especially the students who ride school buses every day and the many professionals who make the service work. Always giving of his time, both humbly and generously, he was as genuine as they come. The consummate family man. Mind as sharp as a tack. In his hey-day, he was quite the track athlete as well.

After he passed on Oct. 10, I reflected on the parallels between his life and STN’s director of the year honor, which we recognize this month. Innovative. Leader. Transparent. Giving. Check, check, check, check. The recognition could very well be renamed the Ed Donn Transportation Director of the Year Award.

Craig Beaver, this year’s winner (read the article by Taylor Ekbatani, starting on page 28) has literally come a long way since he got his start in student transportation. To be exact 1,111 miles.

A lifelong resident of the San Diego, California area, Beaver retired as director of transportation from Grossmont Union High School District in January 2015 and relocated to Oregon, where he joined Beaverton School District. It was destiny, as Beaver says, to reinvent himself in the Pacific Northwest at one of Oregon’s largest school districts, his namesake, so to speak.

With that move, he has ushered in the state’s largest fleet of electric school buses and with them data to illustrate performance and cost savings. He readily shares that information and the many lessons he learned about implementation and deployment to anyone who asks. He’s willing to try new things and is not afraid of failure. He empowers his staff to see if they can make new ideas work, which sometimes means recalibrating. For his efforts, he also accepted the Leading Public Fleet Award for Beaverton School District at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May.

Beaver and all those who came before him, and will come after, have large shoes to fill left by Ed Donn. But surely, he is looking down from heaven with pride. Ed was ready and willing to support and celebrate all endeavors and people that put school buses in a positive light and that lead to successful outcomes for the children who ride them.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the November 2024 issue of School Transportation News.

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TSD Panel Offers Necessary Considerations When Selecting Alternative Transportation

School Transportation News

By: Eric Woolson

12 November 2024 at 05:18

FRISCO, Texas — With more school districts turning to private companies to provide non-school bus transportation for students with special needs, the time is now for public-sector professionals and non-profit safety advocates to develop standards for service, driver training, background checks, oversight and more, according to panelists who discussed essential considerations when contracting with such firms.

That was the message from a panel that discussed necessary considerations for selecting non-school bus vehicle providers to open Monday’s agenda at TSD Conference.

While several states have developed regulations governing these services, consistent standards are lacking nationwide amid a lack of school bus drivers and the school buses themselves not always being the most feasible vehicle, or the one that provides the least restrictive environment. As a result, the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) issued a statement earlier this year that it is “important to enumerate clear and reasonable criteria to help school districts assess these services and ensure that they meet their operational needs and the needs of their children.”

And the National Congress for School Transportation has brought the topic to its state delegations to vote on potential guidelines next May in Des Moines, Iowa.

“We’re not used to options,” said Launi Schmutz-Harden, a TSD Tenured Faculty member and retired director of transportation for Washington County Schools in St. George, Utah, during the general session sponsored by EverDriven. “They came in very quickly and they transported students quicker than we were able to put policies in place, procedures in place, training. I think the cart was before the horse and now we’re [playing] catch-up. As a transportation community we have new partners and we need to grow together.”

NAPT public policy liaison Peter Mannella, who moderated the panel discussion, said the pupil transportation industry is “in a grown-up moment having a mature conversation about what do we want for the kids.”

“The lobbyist in me always looks for opportunities for people I work with, my clients, to advance themselves to empower themselves. I think that’s kind of where we’re at with this,” he continued. “When you’re empowered, you don’t let things happen to you. You get involved in making what’s supposed to happen, happen. Your voice is there, your strength is there, your knowledge is there.”

He added that the industry now has “some amazing services that are being provided, that cropped up because we’re an entrepreneurial economy. … This community is saying, that’s good but it would be better if we could shape it differently, if we could put some restrictions or regulations or requirements around it to help us be sure we’re doing the right thing.”

Susan Shutrump, also a TSD Tenured Faculty member president and a recently retired supervisor of occupational and physical therapy services for the Trumbull County Educational Center in Niles, Ohio, said the discussion was a recognition that the conversation about transporting students with disabilities and special needs has “finally gotten to the point where we are looking at individualized transportation plans that go beyond a child’s individual education plan.”

“We’re calling groups together, we’re getting everyone to the table to sometimes write very complex individual transportation plans, and what I’ve heard for many, many years is when we talk about the vehicle, the transporter will say, ‘That’s not the purview of the IEP team. You don’t have that say. That’s one of the things we keep to ourselves.’

“But what we’re finding, as we know, is there’s certain equipment that can’t be used in all these different vehicles,” she continued. “And, so, in some sense, if we have to have certain specialized procedures, certain equipment, it is vehicle specific.”

She said the industry must work together to make appropriate, safe decisions, and alternative transportation is just another tool in the tool box to consider.

“It can work toward the needs of our children. So, thank goodness, we have this option,” she added.

Still, Shutrump said one districts are especially vulnerable when private companies believe that because they are transporting students they are exempt from safety restraint laws that apply only to yellow buses.

“It was never intended to be utilized or waived in these other vehicles where it’s even more important because they aren’t big and yellow and [aren’t] going to push anything out of their way in a crash,” she said. “You’re going see incredibly more high forces, G-forces and injury-producing forces in a smaller vehicle.”

Alexandra Robinson, the third TSD Tenured Faculty member and former executive director at the New York City Department of Education, expressed concern about the potential pitfalls of districts entering into agreements without the full involvement of transportation professionals.

“I get worried that we have people who are not experts in the room making decisions for us and then, while we are technically meeting the law because we are getting students to school, we are not meeting the intent of the law,” she said.

She warned school districts are being sued by parents of children with disabilities or special needs because transportation departments aren’t aware of contract details with alternative service providers.

“Often times, your contracts are written at your procurement and purchasing level or written at your (community-based organization) or superintendent level, and the department for which the contracting services are being purchased aren’t even at the table,” Robinson said. “You need to know for what you are contracting and do you have any input. … Our performance expectations should not be any different than the (key performance indicators) we set up for our own fleets.”

She insisted that monitoring and compliance of alternative transportation services needs to “hands on, observable, in person, being able to actually screen a wheelchair, meeting with parents, all of that stuff before a child even begins a service.”

“You need to build into compensation that when there is a lack of performance there is a violation or a liquidated damage because that will encourage your contractor, if at all possible, to be on time,” she continued. “You need to make the violation and/or liquidated damage important enough that the contractor will not just say, ‘It’s only $250 today if we don’t have a driver. We’ll take the hit.’ You want to ask for enough indemnity, liability, damage and property insurance that would cover not just you, not just them, but all of the neighbors, families and rest of the district because it will get expensive if something happens. If a company cannot get bonded and/or insured for the amount you’re asking then that might be a problem because they don’t have a track record with their carrier to get that kind of coverage.”

Along that line, Schmutz-Harden said transportation departments professionals need to make sure that alternative companies train employees to the district’s standards “because that kid deserves the best driver.”

“They need training on what to do on a day-to-day basis, but they also need to know what to do in an emergency. There’s a big difference in what to do what to do when evacuating children,” she said, emphasizing the importance of annual fitness tests.

Robinson also said districts should insist upon complete, regular updates from alternative providers about the number of hours their drivers are logging not only with them but in other jobs to prevent accidents caused by fatigue.

From left, TSD Tenured Faculty members Alexandra Robinson, Susan Shutrump and Launi Schmutz-Harden address attendees on considerations to be made when selecting alternative transportation providers, as while NAPT Public Policy Liaison Peter Mannella facilitates.

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Why Professional Development Matters

School Transportation News

By: Tony Corpin

5 November 2024 at 18:35

As fall approaches, it’s an ideal time to think about your team’s professional growth. Three
upcoming school transportation conferences offer a great chance to enhance leadership skills, stay informed on industry trends and build valuable networks. These events are crucial for anyone looking to lead in the evolving school transportation industry.

The National Association of Pupil Transportation conference, happening at the start of this month in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, carries the theme “You Lead the Way. We’ll Help You Get There.” The 2024 conference promises a wealth of networking opportunities with industry peers and suppliers. Attendees can look forward to Professional Development Sessions (PDS), lively discussions on key industry challenges, and a host of networking events. Be sure to stop by booth #619 at the trade show to meet the School Transportation News team and make new connections.

Then, next month, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services returns to the Washington, D.C., area for its annual conference. The event is an excellent opportunity to hear from federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Transportation Security Administration about the latest regulations and program affecting student transportation.

Sandwiched between the two is the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs (TSD) Conference is set for Nov. 7-12 in Frisco, Texas. This conference offers a unique focus on special needs transportation training and technology, with highlights such as four keynote speakers and over two dozen expert-led workshops. Attendees can also look forward to the Special Needs Roadeo Competition and an exciting Technology Demonstration & Ride & Drive Experience on Friday, Nov. 8.

The TSD Conference provides attendees with a deep dive into the latest trends and best practices for special needs support with the goal of improved student success. These insights not only enhance your team’s professional skills but also create pathways for personal growth. The chance to learn from seasoned professionals in the field adds tremendous value to the experience for attendees.

“Attending the TSD Conference is an invaluable experience,” said Christie Hebert, the state director of school bus transportation at the Texas Department of Safety. “The opportunity to engage with peers and industry experts in such a specialized setting is essential for professional growth. Conferences like TSD provide a platform to not only expand your knowledge and develop new skills but also to stay ahead of industry advancements. The networking and trade show sessions allowed me to exchange innovative ideas, build connections, and gain insights that are critical for improving school transportation services, particularly for students with disabilities and special needs.”

Engaging in trade shows and networking events exposes participants to cutting-edge technologies and potential business partnerships. A key aspect of attending these conferences is the opportunity to collaborate with fellow professionals and tackle current challenges with fresh, innovative approaches. Interactions with exhibitors provide crucial insights that help integrate new technology with your operational strategies.

Conferences aren’t just about professional advancement, they offer enjoyable, enriching experiences as well. They allow attendees to reconnect with old colleagues and establish new relationships. For those aiming to broaden their professional network, these interactions often lead to future opportunities, creative problem-solving and fruitful collaborations that benefit both the individual and the organization or school district.

I personally invite you to register for the TSD Conference in Frisco, Texas. Visit tsdconference.com/agenda for more details on the keynotes, educational sessions and networking events.

Investing in conferences and leadership programs offers countless benefits for both professionals and organizations. These events provide opportunities to acquire new knowledge, network with peers and gain motivation from inspiring speakers. For anyone serious about professional development, attending conferences is a key step toward future success and growth.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the October 2024 issue of School Transportation News.

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Beyond the Yellow School Bus: Alternative School Transportation

School Transportation News

By: Linda Bluth

4 November 2024 at 18:00

At the 2022 Transporting Students with Disabilities (TSD) Special Needs Conference, I
had the opportunity to facilitate a presentation on “Navigating the IDEA: Implementing
Appropriate Transportation Services for Children with Disabilities.” This presentation included three distinguished panelists, my fellow TSD Tenured Faculty members Launi Schmutz-Harden, Alexandra Robinson and Susan Shutrump. It was during this presentation, I passionately advocated for the provision of safe transportation in all modes of school transportation for children with disabilities.

I emphasized there was an urgent need for the next meeting of the 17th National Congress on Student Transportation (NCST) in May 2025 to adopt standards for all allowable school transportation vehicles serving children. The importance of alternative school transportation standards being adopted at the next NCST should not be underestimated.

A few days prior to attending the TSD Conference, a parent called me and asked, “Now that my child is no longer assigned to a yellow school bus and is transported in a van, can you assure me that this vehicle is as safe as the yellow school bus?” My answer, with zero reluctance, was “No.”

She went on to ask who can assure her that the van that her child was being transported in was as safe as the yellow school bus. I replied, “I don’t know.” Politely, she commented she was shocked that a long-time supporter of school transportation safety had no response or contact information to address her concerns. Consequently, my journey to establish the necessity for NCST to address the matter of alternative transportation vehicles and school transportation safety begun. Meeting this goal was an unyielding commitment.

In the January 2023 School Transportation News issue, Ryan Gray’s Editor’s Take, titled “Yellow or Not, Uniform Minimum Standards Are Needed,” also addressed the need. He stated, “Linda Bluth advised the [TSD Conference] audience during a Nov. 11 general session on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and transportation as a related service that the National Congress on Student Transportation (NCST) must take up the issue and set standards that these alt transportation providers are all beholden to. After all, she noted, nowhere in the IDEA is school bus mentioned, only transportation. There is a place for these companies to supplement the work of school buses, Bluth added.”

Ryan’s article provided encouragement to contact the NCST leadership and make a strong case for the inclusion of a new committee to specifically address alternative school transportation vehicles. After multiple efforts, I was pleased to learn that the Non- Traditional Vehicle Writing Committee, now referred to as the NCST Alternative Transportation Committee, was in place under the leadership of Tyler Bryan, the education associate for school transportation at the Delaware Department of Education. I was pleased to be informed that I was one of the committee’s writing team members. The membership of this writing committee includes diverse stakeholders with multiple perspectives on alternative school transportation.

Simultaneously, the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) under the leadership of Peter Mannella, public policy and communications liaison as well as chairperson of the public policy committee, wrote a paper approved by the NAPT Board on Alternative School Transportation Services. This paper contains the following statement. “NAPT believes that every entity which intends to transport children to and from school needs to meet certain standards of safety. Given the well-documented safety record that the school bus has attained, we believe that alternative transporters must rise to the same or similar standards to achieve that record for the children being transported.”

This statement is a part of the NAPT position paper on Alternative Transportation Services that is available in its entirety on the NAPT website and at stnonline.com/go/k9. As a member of this committee, I was pleased to have the opportunity to provide input. My committee involvement provided a further opportunity to advocate for inclusion of the topic Alternative Transportation Services at the upcoming NCST next May in Des Moines, Iowa.

My never-ending agenda was to continue to challenge the NCST to address the need for minimum standards for the use of alternative school transportation for all students. Most specifically, vulnerable individuals such as children with disabilities, homeless students and students residing in foster care that utilize alternative school transportation vehicles.

I am committed to advocating for the appropriate and safe use of alternative transportation services for children with disabilities when the yellow school bus cannot meet an individual child’s needs. This decision should only be determined by the individualized education program (IEP) team, including appropriate school and transportation personnel. It is crucial that school district and contract providers, school district personnel, drivers, parents and students as appropriate, are involved in these decisions. The IEP process is the appropriate mechanism for taking all the steps necessary to make an informed decision to provide safe transportation and meet the individual needs of a child with a disability.

At the annual IEP meeting, the IEP team should evaluate whether alternative transportation is necessary or whether the student can be transported on the school bus. Under the IDEA it is required that all school transportation personnel, including substitute personnel, receive training in accordance with federal and state regulations. Training of direct and indirect transportation personnel should always be consistent with recommended transportation services on an individual child’s IEP, in order to provide safe transportation.

Undisputable is the necessity to ensure safe and reliable transportation is a top priority. The school transportation literature persuasively notes that the yellow school bus is the safest form of school transportation and unarguably should always be considered the first means of school transportation. However, it is acknowledged that the yellow school bus cannot always meet each individual student’s specific needs. With that being said, there is no sustainable excuse to delay the setting of recommended uniform minimum standards at the upcoming NCST, to address safety regardless of the mode of school transportation.

In summary, from my past experience and efforts, the NCST has been resistant to include non-school transportation vehicles in the National Specifications and Procedures document. The inclusion of the NonTraditional Vehicle Writing Committee at the 17th NCST is a long awaited and welcomed change. I am hopeful, that the recommendations of the Non-Traditional Vehicles Committee will be adopted by the 17th NCST and included in the next National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures manual. In reality, there is no defensible rationale to reject the work of the NCST Alternative Transportation Committee attempting to improve the safety of all children transported to and from school, regardless of mode of school transportation.

Editor’s Note: As reprinted in the October 2024 issue of School Transportation News.

linda-bluth Linda F. Bluth, Ed.D. is a national compliance and regulatory expert on IDEA transportation law and provisions. She is a tenured faculty member of the TSD Conference, a regular contributor to School Transportation News, and a National Association Pupil Transportation Hall of Fame member.

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(STN Podcast E231) Come Together: Florida Hurricane Fallout, NAPT Conference Recap

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

15 October 2024 at 20:59

Ryan and Tony analyze Hurricanes Helene and Milton’s impact on Florida and recap the news and awards shared at the National Association for Pupil Transportation Conference & Trade Show.

Transfinder CEO Antonio Civitella discusses leveraging technology and teamwork for school bus operations and emergency preparedness.

NAPT Hall of Famer Donn Remembered for ‘Crucial Role’ Played in Industry

School Transportation News

By: Ryan Gray

14 October 2024 at 14:28

The National Association for Pupil Transportation is honoring the life and work of George Edward (Ed) Donn, who died on Thursday at a hospital in Marietta, Georgia. He was 85.

Donn was a sitting board member on the NAPT Foundation, the member education vehicle for NAPT that he helped form in 1999 with the late Don Carnahan and Tom Celitti. He served two terms as NAPT president in 1986-1987 and 1995-1997, only the second to be elected twice along with Carnahan.

NAPT recognized Donn with its Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

“Ed was an amazing gentleman, leader, and colleague. I valued his wisdom and dedication to our industry. His unwavering commitment to the organization will leave an indelible mark on our community,” said NAPT and Foundation Executive Director and CEO Molly McGee Hewitt in an email to members on Saturday.

**George Edward (Ed) Donn’s career in student transportation spanned more than 60 years.**

An accompanying NAPT statement added that Donn “played a crucial role in shaping NAPT’s mission that promoted safety, education and support for all involved in the student transportation sector.

“His insights and expertise were invaluable, guiding many initiatives that have benefited countless individuals. Beyond his professional contributions, Ed was known for his kindness and generosity; he took the time to mentor fellow members by sharing his knowledge, embodying a spirit of collaboration and teamwork.”

He helped develop and implement the NAPT Professional Certification Program and served as a state delegate for five National Conferences on School Transportation. He served as co-chair of the school bus specifications section at the 11th NCST in 1990 and the 12th NCST in 1995. He was also a board member on the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) Supplier’s Council.

On Monday, NASDPTS released a statement calling Donn “an industry icon and gentleman.”

After retiring from Whitfield County Public Schools in Georgia as director of transportation in 2001, Donn co-founded school bus surveillance company 247 Security in 2005 with his Bus Vision business partners Rick Oram and Robert Scott after the company was purchased by Quang Nguyen, the owner of Toronto MicroElectronics and current CEO and CTO of 247 Security.

“Ed offered his vision of the school bus industry, after a long career in pupil transportation, and was a huge influence on the development of 247 Security into a leading brand in the school bus industry,” Scott said in an email to School Transportation News on Saturday. “Ed was a dear friend over these past 20 plus years up. He was our roadmap across the country as we worked to build 247 Security from the ground up. I don’t know if I have ever met someone as well liked by all as Ed. He always wanted to know what he could do to help.”

Scott added that Donn “was like a big brother to me” and called him “generous with his advice and had a keen sense of the needs of those around him.”

“I will miss our long talks that covered a broad range of topics. Those talk could turn into debates and I’m pretty sure he figured that he never lost one! I will miss my friend,’ Scott concluded.

Several times a year, STN would seek Donn’s counsel on a variety of topics related to the school bus industry and its history.

His career began in 1962 as a biology teacher and track coach for Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland. He told STN that he became the assistant director of transportation in 1966 because the role resulted in a pay increase. What he didn’t know about student transportation he learned over the next eight-plus years.

He then accepted a principal position with Washington County Schools, also in Maryland, in 1972 and within three years was named the director of transportation. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1991 and his move to Georgia and Whitfield County Public Schools. He was also an active member of the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation.

After co-founding 247 Security, Donn was a fixture at industry trade shows representing the company, where he served as a consultant. He also owned his own consulting company, Donn Associates, since 1985.

Donn attended the University of Maryland on a track scholarship and graduated with a biology degree. He later obtained is master’s degree in administration and supervision from Frostburg State University.

Donn was preceded in death by Sandi, his wife of 60 years. He is survived by daughters, Cheryl Melis and Leslie Watt (Don Watt); four grandchildren, Chelsea Melis, Gabriella Melis, Lauren Watt Luke (Patrick Luke), and Adam Watt (Lauren Johnson Watt); and sister-in-law Delores (Dodie) Kennedy Barnes.

His funeral is planned for Oct. 19 at Calhoun First Presbyterian Church in Calhoun, Georgia. More details are available online.

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Speakers Share Strategies for NAPT Attendees to Cultivate Positive Mindsets, Superhero Traits

School Transportation News

By: Ryan Gray

7 October 2024 at 22:09

OKLAHOMA CITY – Clint Swindall emphasized the power of mindset and positivity in driving engagement and success with a keynote at the National Association for Pupil Transportation’s Annual Conference and Trade Show.

Swindall is president and CEO of Verbalocity, Inc., a personal development company with a focus on leadership enhancement, and a certified speaking professional by National Speaker’s Association. He began his keynote, “Mindset Matters,” on Sunday by acknowledging the audience as heroes for choosing careers that benefit children. “I believe that anyone who has chosen in any way whatsoever, in their professional lives, to somehow benefit a child, I believe that makes you a hero,” said the nationally certified speaker.

However, Swindall noted that even heroes can struggle with disengagement, citing Gallup research showing that only 30 percent of employees are truly engaged, people he calls the “Oh, yeah’s.” Meanwhile, 53 percent are disengaged but show up every day and do their job. But they won’t go above and beyond. He calls this group the “Okay’s.” The remaining 17 percent are actively disengaged, the “Oh, no” employee.

“Research shows that when we don’t understand how what we do every day, how that ties into something more meaningful than just a job, it breeds mediocrity and it breeds disengagement,” he explained.

A given person could bounce back and forth between being an “Oh yeah, “Okay” and “Oh no” multiple times in the same day depending on their mood, he added.

The key to overcoming disengagement, according to Swindoll, lies in cultivating a positive mindset. He emphasized that “everything that happens in our life starts with mindset” and that inner dialogue determines a person’s efforts and, ultimately, successes. And this translates to one’s personal life as much as their work life, because everyone who is married or has children no matter their job title are leaders. They are actively trying to influence their spouse’s and childrens’ behaviors. They do the same thing at work.

“If I raced out of this room right now and I got to the person who knows you best in this world, and I asked them, when life happens to you, where is your focus? Do you go through a dreadful day and then just go down the laundry list of all the things that didn’t work when you walk in the door at the end of the day and you focus on all of that?”

Swindall shared personal anecdotes to illustrate his points. He recounted a story about a former employee who always focused on the negative or “bad stuff” that happened to her, or BS.

“What were you thinking that meant?” Swindall ribbed the audience.

Adding BS to constant complaining, or CC, plus excessive pessimism, or EP, equals N for negativity.

Each of us thinks about 48,000 negative thoughts a day, or 95 percent of the 60,000 total thoughts within the average human brain, he noted. That’s the negativity bias fostered by our environment growing up that affects all humans.

The centerpiece of Swindall’s message was the concept of “tell me something good,” which is also the name of one of his books. Instead of exchanging the common greeting of “How are you,” he instead asks people he encounters to tell him a good thing that happened to them recently. This forces the person to not focus on the negative but the positive. He described this as a culture-changing concept. By shifting conversations and organizational culture to focus on the positive, Swindoll believes leaders can foster greater engagement and success.

“If you want to be a better person that gets past some of the negativity in the world. Get past this need to be right all the time,” Swindall advised. “If you want to be a better leader of helping people become more engaged, to help them get past the negativity in their lives, challenge them with tell me something good. Make it a part of your culture.”

Swindall said he has trained himself, his employees and thousands of conference attendees worldwide to actively seek out the positive things happening and to celebrate wins. He has gone as far as stocking up on champagne at his company so that he and his employees can celebrate weekly.

“I live a life that assumes there’s going to be something worthy of celebration, and I want to be ready for it,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of avoiding the need to always be right. “Every time you have to be right, there’s a good chance someone else has to be wrong.” He encouraged the audience to let go of this tendency, as it can breed negativity and make others feel like “losers.”

Swindall followed up on his message with a breakout session on Tuesday.

NAPT ACTS began on Friday with Professional Development Series courses for members and was followed Saturday by an opening keynote address from Kamin Samuel, a trailblazing former naval officer and acclaimed author. She encouraged the attendees to embrace their inner superpowers.

Drawing from her extensive background in positive psychology and personal experiences, which included being the first female African American U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, Samuel emphasized the importance of recognizing and leveraging individual strengths. The definition of a superhero, she said, is a benevolent fictional character with superhuman powers

“You are already superheroes,” she told the audience, foreshadowing Swindall’s greeting the following afternoon. “The fact that you dedicate your life to children and transportation of children and the safety of children is extraordinary.”

Samuel introduced the free VIA Character Strengths assessment, with scores relating to 24 different traits that she has used in her own life and for her upcoming documentary film “Courage to Thrive.” She explained how understanding one’s top strengths, such as her leading traits of honesty, gratitude and love of learning, can help individuals navigate challenges and find fulfillment.

“When we embrace those strengths as our unique superpowers, it’s important for us to realize that they’re already part of our innate nature and created nature,” Samuel said, noting that humans are not pervasively one trait over another but can pull from them as needed. “We’re already good at those things. We enjoy doing them.”

She shared personal anecdotes from her own life—her mother was a principal—and how she used her strengths to cope with her father’s passing, emphasizing the power of “strengths bundling” to regulate emotions and stay effective. She encouraged the audience to consciously apply their strengths throughout the conference and beyond.

The trade show portion of NAPT was held Sunday night and continued Monday morning. The conference concludes on Tuesday.

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NAPT Awards Highlight Individuals for Outstanding Achievements, Excellence

School Transportation News

By: Ruth Ashmore

7 October 2024 at 21:45

Five individuals were recognized by the National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT) during its Annual Conference and Trade Show (ACTS) this weekend in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for their contributions to student transportation and safety.

Adam Johnson was formally announced Sunday as winner of the NAPT Distinguished Service Award. The executive director of transportation at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina began his transportation career in 1996, driving a school bus in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

He worked his way to the role of area transportation specialist at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and then became the director of transportation for Union County Schools in North Carolina. During this time, Johnson became a certified director of pupil transportation through the NAPT.

Between the years of 2013-2018, Johnson expanded his career working as a sales consultant for Gregory Poole Equipment in Mebane, North Carolina, selling Blue Bird school buses. He then moved to his current role, where he oversees a department of 1,100 employees that provides transportation services for 104,000 students.

Johnson credited his team for his accomplishments saying, “I’m not one who looks for individual spotlight, because all of my success is a result of the team I have assembled that rallies with me to get the work done each day. So, this recognition is to celebrate all of my team’s efforts to make our department shine.”

School Transportation News asked each NAPT award winner what their advice is to other student transportation professionals. Johnson encouraged creative and outside-the-box thinking. “Don’t be afraid to think differently about your daily operations and how to motivate your staff,” said Johnson “So much of this job is built on relationships and we often miss the opportunities to create positive relationships with our teams, district leaders, and local media.”

The Special Needs Transportation Award sponsored by Q’Straint and Sure-Lok was given to Cathy Poole, Area 8 special needs transportation supervisor at Greenville County Schools in South Carolina. Poole said she was honored and so surprised to receive the award. “When you love what you do, you just do it automatically without recognition,” she said. “So, when I opened the email and read the content, I was like; Wait What? I had to read it again… then I cried. I love what I do.  It starts in my heart and flows out.”

Poole said that transportation and special needs were part of her daily life as the daughter of a father who is blind and a mother who drove a school bus. In 1985, he became a student driver at the age of 16. After college and starting a family, she returned to transportation as a bus driver for students with special needs and worked as classroom aide in special needs classrooms. She said this experience inspired her to pursue the role of special needs transportation supervisor.

When reflecting on the experience leading up to winning the NAPT award, Poole said she is grateful for the managers, colleagues and a “crew of wonderful coworkers, drivers and aides” that she has worked with.

“I am not going to say this is easy, things can change in the blink of an eye and stress levels rise. However, I want to make sure that all students, transportation staff and the public travel safely to and from school daily,” she said. “If your heart is not in it, then you are only going through the motions and that is unacceptable to me.”

Poole said her advice to other student transporters is to seek out education regarding best practices, policies, procedures and legal knowledge. She noted that NAPT has “outstanding” professional development courses. “Put that knowledge to use in our work environment,” said Poole. “You may get pushback but stand strong and do it for the safety of the students, parents, schools, transportation staff and public. Reach out to other transportation professionals with questions or support. The more you learn the more you grow.”

The Continuing Education Award sponsored by Thomas Built Buses was awarded on Saturday to Jennifer Gardella, director of transportation at Rockwall Independent School District in Texas. Gardella told STN that she “was filled with so many emotions when I received the email on congrats. I’m honored, I’m excited, I’m speechless to be chosen from our NAPT transportation group.”

Gardella’s entrance to the education field began as a teacher. She told STN that her love of working with students took her behind the wheel of the yellow school bus in her own hometown that was experiencing a driver shortage. She said she enjoys problem solving at whatever role she is in and actively looks for teachable moments and ways to utilize staff resources. She praised her team at Rockwall ISD, where she just started her first year as director after serving as an assistant director at Frisco ISD, saying that every member of the team works towards a common goal of providing excellent service for the students.

Gardella stressed the importance of finding a good team of individuals to build relationships and find solutions in the often-stressful field of student transportation. “Transportation is an ever-changing busy environment, and everyone needs a way to release the stress of the multi-tasking job.  I know with every decision I have made I have many walking with me. It takes a village to keep the school bus rolling in the right direction.”

Danielle Bedsaul is the recipient of the School Bus Driver Training & Safety Award sponsored by IC Bus and was also recognized on Saturday As supervisor of transportation at Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) in Maryland, Bedsaul said a goal of hers has been to win a NAPT award, as her district has been recognized by the organization twice before, once in 2002 and in 2006.

“HCPS is always striving to improve our safety program for training our school bus drivers and attendants. However, we have realized that the training really needs to extend beyond our drivers and attendants,” she said. “We need to educate the students, parents, schools, and the community about the safety measures that need to take place to keep our students safe.”

Bedsaul’s entered the world of transportation in 2004, when she applied for the job of receptionist at the HCPS Transportation department.

“I’m always telling people that I thought the transportation department sounded like a boring place to work, and I genuinely thought I would take the position and then move to another department or school when another opportunity arose,” she shared. “I’m still waiting for a boring day. There are none in transportation!”

After working one year as the receptionist, Bedsaul became the district’s coordinator for special needs transportation. A year later, she was named the supervisor of transportation and has held the position for 18 years.

Bedsaul noted that drivers and attendants are transportation’s key assets as they are the ones interacting with the students every day. “My advice to other transportation professionals would be to be an active listener to your team members, drivers, attendants, schools, parents, and students. Ask them what they need to continue to enhance safety and training. Often drivers and attendants say they want “better communication”, and people often interpret that as newsletters, e-mails, memos, etc. But what they often want is someone to listen to them…really listen to them and their concerns. And we really need to do that because they are the ones out on the roads every day with our students.”

Not present during NAPT ACTS was Acie Holland III, an 8th grade student from Glendale-River Hills School District in Wisconsin, who won the Blue Bird Heroism Award after stopping his school bus safely when the bus driver experienced a medical emergency and had passed out at the wheel. The teen was able to maneuver the bus to the curb and hit the brakes, keeping the 14 students onboard the bus and the driver safe from a potential crash.

The NAPT Awards concluded Monday with the induction of Ken Hedgecock, Larry Riggsbee and Willie Tarleton into the association’s Hall of Fame.

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Esteemed Figures in School Transportation Awarded NAPT’s Highest Honor

School Transportation News

By: S.Z. Estavillo

20 September 2024 at 16:50

The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) is honoring Ken Hedgecock, Larry Riggsbee and Willie Tarleton at its annual conference by inducting the trio into its Hall of Fame.

The NAPT Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have demonstrated unparalleled dedication, integrity and commitment to the school transportation industry. To earn this honor, inductees must exhibit exemplary standards in both their professional and personal lives, reflecting exceptional service and dedication to NAPT.

Meet these three individuals who will be inducted next month at the NAPT Annual Conference and Trade Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for making lasting impacts in the field of student transportation.

Ken Hedgecock

Ken Hedgecock, the national sales manager for United Safety and Survivability, reflected on what his 37 years of service in the school transportation industry meant to him after being inducted into the NAPT Hall of Fame.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the people I have called ‘customers’ for so long,” he told School Transportation News. “I’ve always considered pupil transportation a calling, not just a career. This honor confirms that, in some small way, I may have made a positive difference in this wonderful community of professionals. It is truly humbling.”

Hedgecock spent most of his time in school transportation, almost 33 years, as the vice president of sales for Thomas Built Buses. He became the national sales manager of United Safety and Survivability in January 2020.

When asked if a particular achievement or moment in his career stands out as a critical contributor to this recognition, Hedgecock reflected on his mentor, Ted Clayton, who hired him at Thomas Built Buses in 1987.

“Ted was a significant positive influence in my life and career. He taught me the importance of always keeping first things first, which meant prioritizing the students we were responsible for transporting. In other words, safety, safety, and more safety,” Hedgecock emphasized. “Ted is also a member of the NAPT Hall of Fame, so it’s a great honor to join him in this elite group of professionals.”

STN also asked Hedgecock about the advice he would offer to young professionals aspiring to leave a lasting impact in the industry. He underscored his pride in “bleeding yellow.”

“See your role in pupil transportation as a calling, not just a career. Strive to make a positive difference by ensuring those precious commodities we transport daily to get to and from any school-related activity safely, every day. And enjoy every single moment of what you do. Life is too short not to enjoy your work,” he shared.

Hedgecock is currently a vice president for the NAPT Foundation and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from NAPT, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, and the National School Transportation Association in 2019.

Larry Riggsbee

Larry Riggsbee, executive director of the Tennessee Association for Pupil Transportation (TAPT), is widely recognized for his dedication to student welfare, making the Hall of Fame induction deeply personal for him. Reflecting on the recognition, he said, “I am deeply appreciative and greatly honored with the NAPT Hall of Fame award. The national recognition is humbling.”

Riggsbee’s induction places him among the elite in the student transportation industry. He joins the late Carlisle Beasley of Metro-Nashville Public Schools as the two Tennesseans to receive this prestigious honor. Both men were widely respected for their leadership and innovation during their tenures as transportation directors. Their influence extended far beyond their home state, as they were considered among the most respected figures in school transportation across the Southern United States. Much like Beasley, Riggsbee’s work set a high standard for safety, operational excellence, and advocacy, leaving a legacy in the field.

Riggsbee mentioned that one of his key achievements was having his former employer Sumner County School District name its support services in his honor. He served in the district for 37 years, including five as a teacher and 32 leading transportation operations.

“We transported 15,000 children daily, millions of miles over the years. During that time, we never had a serious injury or anyone hospitalized overnight,” he recalled. “The safety record is a credit to our employees.”

His role as the executive director of TAPT, which he continues to work daily but with several “handlers” as he called them, positioned himself as the de facto “state director” during a critical period when formal leadership in school transportation was absent.

After the retirement of Dr. Ernest Farmer from the Tennessee Department of Education, Riggsbee inherited this leadership role, ensuring continuity and providing vital guidance to school districts across the state. His leadership was instrumental when the Tennessee Highway Patrol was the primary source of oversight in transportation matters, highlighting Riggsbee’s importance in maintaining standards, advocating for student safety, and shaping the direction of pupil transportation in Tennessee. His efforts filled a vital gap, underscoring his role as a central figure in Tennessee’s student transportation system.

To those aspiring to make a lasting impact, Riggsbee advised, “To remind me and my staff of our mission to meet the needs of the district’s young people, I kept a sign above the door in my office that asked, ‘Is it best for the children?’ Always remember that.”

Willie Tarleton

In response to his recent induction into the NAPT Hall of Fame, Willie Tarleton expressed his deep appreciation for the recognition. “It means a lot to me. It made me reflect on the 40-plus years I’ve been in school transportation, and it’s something that really has made me feel good about the association,” said the retired director of transportation for Midland Independent School District in Texas. He held that position from 1998 until his retirement two and a half years ago.

His connection to NAPT also spans more than four decades, during which he has been an active member held leadership roles. Tarleton served as a Region 4 member of NAPT Board for 10 years and is a committee co-chair a member of the organization’s finance committee.

He was also renowned for his fashion sense, always seen at industry conferences wearing the finest suits.

Regarding standout moments in his career, Tarleton underlined his consistent positive attitude throughout his years of service, noting the importance of supporting the association’s evolution in addressing industry needs.

To aspiring professionals entering the school transportation field, Tarleton emphasized the importance of preparation. “If you plan on staying ready, this is the best place to go,” he said, noting that over time, there are countless opportunities to grow and learn within the industry.

The NAPT Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place during the NAPT conference being held Oct. 4-8.

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