Discover the First Serves program—a collaborative effort involving educational experts, psychologists, and parents/caregivers. This white paper provides a closer look at how First Serves, a specialized training program seamlessly supports children, connecting their classroom experience with transportation.
Key Aspects:
Structured Support: First Serves delivers structured planning and support, closing the gap between the classroom and transportation.
Collaborative Foundation: Forming partnerships between transportation staff, educational professionals, district leaders, and families, First Serves nurtures an environment conducive to student growth.
Empowered Team: Through specialized training, First Serves ensures driving staff and on-vehicle monitors can adeptly address diverse student needs during their journey.
District Customization: First Serves allows districts to customize the program, integrating social-emotional learning supports for an effective school experience.
Case Study Highlights:
See the impact of First Serves in action at Battle Ground Public Schools, showcasing tangible improvements in the student experience. This case study serves as a real-world example of collaborative, customizable approaches that enhance the student journey. Delve into the white paper for a deeper understanding of First Serves and its transformative potential in fostering student success.
Fill out the form below and then check your email for the white paper download link.
Two major hurricanes swept through the Southeast last year, causing catastrophic damage, widespread power outages and devastation.
These weather events greatly disrupted the educational system in several states, but student transportation departments did not go on hiatus. At the STN EXPO East Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, transportation directors from the areas affected by severe 2024 hurricanes last fall discussed their responses to the historic natural events and where they are on the road to recovery.
The panel was facilitated by Derek Graham, an industry consultant who has over three decades of experience. He was state director of pupil transportation with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for 21 years as well as a past president of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services. He was joined by Jeremy Stowe, director of transportation for Buncombe County Schools in the Asheville, North Carolina, area, and Laura Hill, general manager of transportation at Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Florida.
Hill opened with her experiences, first with Hurricane Helene and then with Hurricane Milton 11 days later. She oversees transportation for a large district, where 80,000 students are transported every day over 800-plus routes.
Hurricanes are nothing new for Florida, which Hill said routinely can include evacuations using school buses and using school campuses as shelters. However, Helene was called the “100 Year Storm” for the upper Gulf Coast of Florida, with historic levels of flooding, power outages and infrastructure damage.
School closures for weather events, she explained, normally lasted three to four day. But in the aftermath of Helene, Hillsbourough schools were closed for two weeks.
She explained that because of Florida’s experience with heavy winds, the school buses had already been parked close together to minimize wind damage. She said her staff also had scheduled fuel deliveries before Helene, but because of the damage didn’t have an opportunity to refuel before Milton hit. Infrastructure damage, mainly from trees falling on power lines and road closures due to sinkholes created a prolonged school closure for the Florida district.
Buncombe County Schools did not have a hurricane plan, said Stowe. On Sept. 26, when Helene began, Stowe said eight school buses were on standby to aid with evacuations. By 4 a.m. the next day, the fire marshal called and said he needed more buses and that first responders didn’t realize how bad this storm would be. Stowe continued that this began an extended effort on his part and that of his team to work side by-side with first responders and emergency management personnel.
“We had an opportunity to show up,” he said of the transportation department. “We’re the ones who show up when no one else does.”
He continued that four “R’s” that come into play with any catastrophic natural disaster: Response, Recovery, Reopening and Relationships.
Even Stowe’s college-aged son joined the response team, having recently acquired his school bus driving endorsement. He drove fuel trucks to fire departments. Stowe explained that unlike some other districts, Buncombe does not have a central fueling station. Instead, fueling trucks drive directly to school buses to refuel them. Stowe said he “became very popular” with emergency management teams as he had a store of fuel in supply.
One important process to remember, said Stowe, is that during rescue and response efforts make sure to track all activities with photos and thorough documentation. This is often needed soon after the initial response phase to receive reimbursement from FEMA via other aid organizations.
“When my CFO calls, I have the receipts of everything we did, who asked for help, why I sent it and what we did,” he added.
Stowe also noted that with many homes destroyed, the number of displaced students needing transportation soared to 1,200 from the normal list of 80 to 100 students who qualify under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. He continued that he meticulously tracked what resources were used to transport the additional displaced students (which included hiring contractor EverDriven), since only storm-related costs were to be reimbursed.
Meanwhile, the standard McKinney-Vento students remained the district’s budgetary and operational responsibility. For students with special needs or disabilities, he said transportation made sure to transport them to and from critical appointments, such as medical needs.
Creating relationships with first responders and key district personnel was crucial, said Stowe.
“Be that shining face of your department, know who you need to know,” he said.
To create seamless cooperation with emergency management teams, he advised transportation directors to all take the FEMA ICS-100 course, which is an “introduction to the Incident Command System.” He explained that any federal or local government agency will follow this protocol exactly, and knowing how the command structure works can allow transportation to smoothly join process.
The recovery process included crucial input from transportation, as Stowe, Hill and Grant each noted that there is constant pressure to reopen schools and give students a return to normalcy as soon as possible. With many families still without power or low on food, those resources can be provided at school.
Stowe said his drivers were recruited and paid to drive their routes and identify roads and bus stops that were not serviceable, as well as provide visual inspections of damage from flooding and downed power lines.
“You don’t realize how much a part of the community you and your school buses are,” said Stowe. “You are the backbone of the community.”
Buncombe County didn’t have a protracted recovery, but rebuilding is ongoing, as many roads are still not drivable. Stowe said that has led to routing complications and subsequent parent requests for routes that cannot be safely done.
“For a road to be open for a school bus route, the bus must be able to travel in its assigned lane without crossing the double yellow line into oncoming traffic,” he explained.
Graham said that in his experience with North Carolina storms, administrators often want a book afterward that is filled with an exact plan of what to do when a storm hits. But as he and Stowe both stated, response is a moving puzzle. Instead of trying to create a detailed plan for every scenario, Stowe said his mindset for transportation is to, “Stay in our lane and know who I need to move and how I need to move them. It doesn’t matter if it’s for a shooter or a gas break, we just need to move them.”
Transportation accomplishes this by keeping track of how many people are in any given school building and how many buses would be needed to evacuate those individuals, Stowe shared.
Attendees in the audience shared their experiences with hurricane response, which also included similar experiences of extended school closures, power outages and damages. One attendee from Colorado also recommended the ICS-700 course, as that is what the National Guard also uses, and knowing how it works can help transportation sync communication with emergency management.
As Stowe explained, “Run the same models within the district so we’re not speaking two different languages. Cut and paste your team into those larger structures.”
Bill Wen, senior director of transportation services at Orange County Public Schools in Orlando Florida, said his district created a District Incident Management Team that includes leadership from different district departments to coordinate emergency management responses.
All three panelists and many of the attendees noted that before disaster struck, they thought it would never happen to them or in their area. To be equipped for a natural disaster, preparations can be made, training can be done, and directors can start building relationships with local support systems.
From left: Jeremy Stowe, Laura Hill and Derek Graham pose together at the 2025 STN EXPO East Conference
Are you ready to transform your school transportation system? In “From Chaos to Control: Simplifying School Transportation with a Unified Software Solution,” presented by Busology Tech in collaboration with School Transportation News, we delve into how a single, integrated platform can tackle today’s most pressing challenges — from driver shortages and budget constraints to safety concerns and inefficient routing. Discover how unifying these key functions not only streamlines your operations but also creates a more secure and responsive transportation network.
This webinar is designed specifically for transportation directors and school district administrators who often wear multiple hats. Learn how a unified, innovative platform can help consolidate essential tasks like routing, scheduling, safety management, optimization, and parent communication while simultaneously meeting the rising pressures of demanding parental expectations and different student requirements. With actionable strategies and real-world insights from our customers, you will learn how to overcome the challenges that have traditionally held back K-12 school transportation efficiency and safety — helping you move from fragmentation to complete control.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge and transform the way your school district handles K-12 student transportation. Plus, we are presenting an exclusive, exciting opportunity at the webinar—something you wouldn’t want to miss.
Sign up for our webinar and discover how turning chaos into control is not just a dream — it’s a practical, achievable reality with one powerful, unified software solution.
Brought to you by Busology Tech
RGEISTER BELOW:
Featuring:
Robert Young
Director of Transportation
Thomas County School District
With over 25 years in the industry, Robert Young leads the transportation department at Thomas County Schools, ensuring students travel safely and efficiently across the district. He oversees fleet operations, route planning, driver training, and regulatory compliance while driving innovation and cost-effective solutions.
Committed to excellence, safety, and efficiency, Young leads a dedicated team and collaborates with school administrators, parents, and community stakeholders to keep transportation running smoothly. He also plays a key role in emergency preparedness, staff training, and integrating technology to optimize routes and communication. Young is dedicated to fostering a positive work environment while prioritizing student safety and service excellence.
Busology Tech Speaker Bios:
Abu Batasi
Our Director of Sales and Marketing has a substantial experience of over 15 years and specializes in helping clients leverage technology to solve complex challenges. He has extensive expertise in leading sales and marketing teams, creating informative content for buyers, and using consultative selling to drive real outcomes. At Busology Tech, Batasi leads the sales and marketing team, connecting with K-12 schools across North America to deliver impactful solutions.
Here’s a fun fact about Batasi: During the pandemic, he put his storytelling skills to the test and wrote a screenplay!
Melissa Beveridge
Our Director of Client Services has extensive experience in SaaS deployment, training, and support. Beveridge excels in continuous improvement, Lean Six Sigma, and workflow management, particularly in the automotive and transportation industries. A workflow leader of the year awardee, she leads Busology Tech’s client services team, driving innovation and excellence.
Here’s a fun fact about Beveridge: She tied the knot in a shopping mall.
Diego Crespo
Diego Crespo brings a wealth of experience from multiple startups and digital businesses, with over five years in B2E SaaS sales, product development, and implementation. He specializes in growing, consolidating, and leading multidisciplinary teams, establishing solid processes, and leveraging work management systems to drive efficiency. As Busology Tech’s Director of Onboard Technology, Crespo is dedicated to delivering seamless technology solutions for student transportation.
Here’s a fun fact about Crespo: He manages his own four-paw workforce — he has four dogs!
Ryan and Tony discuss federal government shifts and how the industry could be affected, as well as how to keep the core values of transporting students safely and efficiently.
“The driver shortage isn’t an excuse.” In an interview full of phrases you could put on a t-shirt, Heather Handschin, supervisor of bus operations for Prince William County Public Schools in Virginia, discusses tools, processes and training to retain drivers, run operations smoothly, and serve community families well.
A new bill proposed in the Tennessee state legislature would lower the minimum age for obtaining a school bus driver endorsement from 21 years old from the previous 25, which was a response to the fatal 2016 Chattanooga crash.
Johnthony Walker, who was 26 at the time, was charged with and later convicted of causing the deaths of six students and injuries to dozens of others after he rolled the school bus onto its passenger side. The bus then wrapped around a tree, crushing the roof. Walker was found guilty of reckless driving and using his phone while operating the vehicle. Speed was also a factor.
In 2018, the state legislature raised the minimum age for school bus drivers to 25. NAPT Region 2 Director Alex Spann noted that a later provision allowed for “active-duty and honorably discharged veterans, as well as individuals holding a valid Tennessee teacher’s license, to obtain a School Bus Endorsement at age 23.”
Nationwide, 21 states and the District of Columbia have a minimum age of 21 for school bus endorsement, 28 states have it set at 18. Arkansas is the only state requiring candidates be 19 years old. Meanwhile, federal regulations for interstate school bus trips requires drivers to be at least 21.
If passed, the Tennessee bill will take effect on July 1.
“I trust that Tennessee legislators will thoroughly debate this issue before making any decisions,” Spann said. “It is essential that they have the most accurate data to fully understand the impact of any change affecting the safe and efficient transportation of our students. This is a decision that should not be rushed or taken lightly.”
The response from transportation directors across the state appears to be mixed. While younger applicants can be good candidates to drive a school bus, it’s important to always exercise judgement and ensure proper training is given, as with any student transportation hire.
“Districts should use good judgment, as with all drivers, before hiring someone to drive our most precious cargo,” said Eric Watkins, transportation supervisor at Stewart County Schools.
Ryan Dillingham, executive director of transportation at Knox County Schools, said he is in favor of the change. He explained that determining if an applicant will be a good school bus driver has many factors besides age, including “aptitude, attitude, character, and willingness to learn.”
Joshua Hinerman, director of transportation for Robertson County Schools, shared that he began driving a school bus at age 21 and stated that he has always been an advocate for younger people joining the student transportation industry.
“The real question is why are we not lowering the age to say 18 or 19? We could do this and put in place safeguards that would help to keep folks under the age of 21 on top of their game until they reach the age of 21, in my professional opinion,” he said. “The age does not determine the level of responsibility of a driver, but effective training and safeguards do this for you.”
He said that he believes an 18-year-old school bus candidate could also work in the classroom or as a bus attendant to demonstrate responsibility and professionalism in working with students, all while being trained to drive a bus.
“They should have to undergo defensive driving training annually, be certified in crisis prevention intervention training, and have a new CDL skills test administered annually … to ensure that we have mature young people getting involved in an industry that is hemorrhaging [and] in desperate need of a younger generation to take up the reigns and lead,” he said. “They cannot accomplish this when they are excluded from the industry totally based on age.”
Dillingham said it’s important to establish and maintain high standards for drivers, regardless of their age. “We have declined drivers well over 25 because they didn’t have the proper make-up, and I’ve met people younger than 25 that I think would make exemplary bus drivers,” he continued. “Regardless of how old they are, it takes a special kind of person to drive a school bus. Lowering the age limit would widen the pool of potential driver candidates for us and open up additional opportunities for drivers to enter into a rewarding and dynamic industry. I think it’s a great idea.”
Echoing Spann’s statement about needing sufficient data to make changes like this, Hinerman said he believes that there is a disconnect between state legislators and the student transportation professionals experiencing the day-to-day challenges of being onboard a school bus. He said receiving input directly from transportation professionals can ensure, “we have a common-sense approach being utilized statewide which will be far more effective.”
See the latest stories, videos, webinars and photo galleries on green bus updates, safety, crashes, heroic bus drivers, Love the Bus Month and more at stnonline.com/news.
“They say, ‘It feels like you’re driving my bus!’” Cor’Darius Jones, school bus driver for Escambia County Schools in Florida, shares how he became the popular “Mr. Bus Driver” online and discusses leveraging social media to showcase the importance of the yellow bus and recruit drivers.
Dr. David K. Moore, the superintendent for the School District of Indian River County in Florida, referred to school bus drivers as transportation professionals, adding they are the first team members to “greet our students in the morning and the very last team members to wish them a good evening after school.”
At a Glance: Indian River Schools
Number of drivers: 72
Number of routes: 68
Student transported daily: 7,000
Miles traveled yearly: 1.6 million
Moore noted that school bus drivers have an “incredible responsibility” to transport students safely to and from school. In addition, transportation plays a role in transporting students to and from a variety of enriching and extracurricular activities offered by Indian River.
“We depend on our transportation professionals to support students in arriving to school on time so that we can maximize the instructional time that we have,” he added.
One major district initiative, Moore said, is sustaining the rate of accelerated achievement outcomes and expanding focus on school innovation to create a portfolio of offerings for the community.
“We continue to build and maintain robust data systems and infrastructure to not only drive unprecedented rates of improvement in student achievement, but also to ensure fiscal and organizational responsibility through our system,” he said.
Indian River also operates a 100-percent, propane-fueled school bus fleet with a current project focusing on adding a new propane fueling station.
Ahead of the 2025 Superintendent of the Year being named on March 6 at the National Conference on Education in New Orleans, Louisiana, School Transportation News sat down with those in charge of transportation operations at the respective districts to gain a better understanding of how the services function. The Superintendent of the Year Award is sponsored by AASA: The School Superintendents Association, along with Corebridge Financial and Sourcewell, to celebrate the contributions and leadership of public-school superintendents.
This year’s four finalists were selected from 49 state superintendent award winners (Hawaii was not included) and were judged based on their exhibited leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement.
A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year to a student at a high school the winning superintendent graduated from or from the school district the winner now leads.
Jennifer Idlette, director of transportation, said workplace culture is positive with a strong teamwork foundation. She noted that the team is often acknowledged and appreciated for their efforts.
She noted transportation is able to maintain drives in excess of routes, but face challenges when illnesses, absences and academic and athletic trips are added in.
“We are required to split (double-up) routes frequently,” she said. “We focus on recruiting and hiring year-round, $300 recruitment bonus paid to district employees for referrals who are hired, and we offer an optional 40-hour work week for drivers by assigning them as school support during mid-day break.”
Idlette said Moore informs his departments of district initiatives and provides support when needed to address and resolve concerns in a timely manner.
Dr. Moore’s Education History
Moore said he started his education career as an exceptional student education teacher and school counselor. Five years in, he began serving in a variety of district leadership roles until he became the superintendent at Indian River County five years ago.
He shared that his father served as a principal for 21 years at the same school and had the greatest influence on cultivating his unwavering purpose as an educator.
“Naturally a very quiet man, my father would come to life when speaking about teaching and learning,” Moore added. “Many of the times I felt most connected to dad was when we would discuss his life’s passion for education, a passion that would be replicated in me. I watched my father cultivate growth, ownership and ambitious expectations at the school he led.”
Without realizing it, Moore said he was learning how “leaders adapt, inspire, and invest in people.
“Looking back, I was observing the intangible elements of culture that have shaped my beliefs and actions throughout all my leadership experiences and formed the building blocks for building sustainable, high-quality learning environments that our students deserve,” he added.
Moore said that being a finalist of the AASA Superintendent of the Year is something he is proud of for the recognition it brings his entire school district team.
“For them to be recognized across the state for their unwavering investments in and collective commitment to providing high quality educational experiences for all students, while realizing unprecedented academic outcomes,” he said. “Individually, I see this as an opportunity to be an ambassador and advocate for public education, to uplift all public education leaders in being authors of our own reform, and to demonstrate that public education can deliver the outcomes that all students deserve.”
School bus transportation plays a crucial role in getting children to and from school safely every day. However, ensuring the safety and efficiency of this process requires more than just well-maintained buses and reliable routes.
Effective and streamlined communication between bus drivers, parents, school administrators, and transportation departments is essential for keeping a secure and efficient transportation system.
Here’s why communication is so critical and how it can be improved for the benefit of students, parents, and school communities.
Ensuring Safety
The safety of children is the top priority in school bus transportation. From the moment a child boards the bus until they safely arrive at school or home, clear communication is needed to address any potential issues that arise during the ride.
Real-Time Updates: Bus routes are sometimes subject to delays due to traffic, weather conditions, or mechanical issues. A streamlined communication system allows parents, school administrators, and transportation departments to be informed in real-time about delays or changes. By using communication tools such as two-way radios, apps, GPS systems, and automated messages, parents can track their child’s bus and adjust their schedule accordingly.
Emergency Communication: In case of accidents or emergencies, clear communication channels ensure that the right people are alerted quickly. Bus drivers can contact the school or emergency services, and parents can be notified at once to ensure a timely response.
Incident Reporting: A streamlined system enables prompt reporting of issues such as bullying, inappropriate behavior, or unsafe driving. When parents and school staff can easily communicate with the transportation team, it leads to faster resolutions and keeps the environment on the bus safe for everyone.
Improving Efficiency
School bus systems are large and complex, serving hundreds or even thousands of students each day. For this operation to run smoothly, it’s crucial to coordinate effectively between different parties.
Route Optimization: Communication allows transportation departments to adjust bus routes in real time based on factors like student attendance, road conditions, or changes in traffic patterns. This helps to prevent delays and ensures that buses are running on schedule.
Driver Support and Training: Streamlined communication ensures that bus drivers are well-informed about route changes, student needs, and any unique requirements for children (such as allergies or medical conditions). It also helps ensure that drivers receive continuous training updates and support from their supervisors, which improves overall service quality.
Preventing Overcrowding: With clear communication between transportation departments and schools, it’s easier to monitor bus capacity and adjust schedules accordingly. Overcrowded buses are a safety hazard, and by tracking attendance and bus usage, schools can prevent this issue and improve student comfort and safety.
Leveraging Technology for Better Communication
In today’s digital age, technology can play a huge role in improving communication in school bus transportation.
Automated Messaging Systems: Automated calls or text messages to parents can alert them of route changes, delays, or incidents involving their child’s bus. This minimizes confusion and ensures that parents are always in the loop.
Transportation Two-Way Radios Over Cellular, GPS and Tracking: With the ease of use of Push-to-Talk Over Cellular Radios (PoC), schools can check the progress of buses throughout the day, providing real-time data on location and estimated arrival times. This reduces the likelihood of missed pickups or drop-offs and improves overall time management for bus routes. School-Radio can do just that for school communication from transportation to administration.
Aaron Mannan Director of Project Management B&G Transportation, Inc. M&M Tours, Inc. says of their integration of the School-Radio PoC system: “Coming from a background in 9-1-1 communications to School Transportation, there are many differences, but the needs are very much just as important. We were frustrated with outdated aging radio equipment, and even worse, couldn’t find anyone to work on our system to keep us running. But then we were introduced to School Radio. Clarity is what they are all about. Our dispatch can handle communications from anywhere on the planet, our drivers are kept aware of safety sensitive information, and we know where our fleet is at all times”
Streamlined communication in school bus transportation is essential for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and overall success of the system. By using technology, improving parent-school relations, and enhancing real-time communication, school districts can create a safer and more efficient transportation environment for all students. The benefits of a well-coordinated transportation system extend beyond simply getting students from point A to point B—it helps build trust, ensures safety, and fosters a more connected school community.
By prioritizing communication at every step of the process, we can help keep our children safe and our school systems running smoothly. For more information on how School-Radio can optimize your communication, visit www.school-radio.com.
The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.
A former and current transportation director shared experiences with utilizing technology for increased student safety on and around the school bus, while also providing four aspects of pupil transportation that are greatly improved by using management software.
Michael Roche, who previously served as director of transportation for Bellingham Public Schools in Massachusetts, is now vice president of customer engagement and business development for EZRouting by education software company and Thursday’s webinar sponsor TransAct Communications.
Also on the webinar was Allen Leonard, an educational veteran and the director of transportation for Fayette County Public Schools, located in the Atlanta suburbs.
Roche and Lenoard discussed how the following four aspects of pupil transportation operations can be positively improved by utilizing a transportation management software.
Hazard Identification & Safe Routing
Leonard shared that a big benefit of technology is saving all staff knowledge in a central location to create the safest school bus routes. Information like route changes and road hazards can also be shared to affected drivers quickly.
Roche noted that permanent or temporary “no travel” streets and zones can be blocked off in the software, so all transportation staff are aware.
“Institutional knowledge is the key thing,” Leonard declared.
He added that such knowledge can easily be communicated to substitute drivers if needed. For example, Roche shared that his wife is a school bus driver and has first-hand experience with substituting on routes with little notice when she would have liked to drive the route beforehand to become familiar with it.
“It lets them focus on more important things like student safety,” Roche noted.
For districts with constant construction and new development, narrow roads, or other limitations, transportation staff can work with open street maps (which operate similar to Wikipedia and can be edited) as well as previously input district guidelines to reroute buses to safe routes and stops.
Leonard shared that this information is crucial as it prohibits transportation staff from placing school bus stops on a street where a known sex offender lives, for instance.
This also helps alleviate parental concerns as such information is readily available on the internet, Roche noted. He added that things like walking paths, street crossings and the presence of sidewalks can be considered on a grade level basis, so the student experience is centered.
The goal, he said, is for transportation staff to reduce the amount of manual labor on small details if the software can do it for them and free them up for bigger picture items.
“Not only are the students safer but we can be more efficient at our jobs,” he said.
Leonard noted that legislation can affect transportation operations, such as when a state law required the reevaluation of school bus crossings along a 40 mph or higher road. Roche confirmed that such a change can be programmed into the software and easily integrated into future route building. He discussed the wisdom of not only using institutional knowledge but also updating it with local knowledge as circumstances, regulations and needs change.
Effective Communication with School Leaders
Leonard shared that software helps keep phone lines open as district administration can look up information on their own. Schools and teachers can track buses out on field trips or athletic trips and provide this information to parents upon request, since parents typically call school offices before they call transportation.
Having this information readily available in the software improves communication and efficiency, Roche agreed.
“It provides [parents] with understanding and reassurance that buses are where they need to be,” he said. “[There’s] a lot of time savings and ease of communication there.”
Roche relayed that transportation software tools would have helped him deal with parent communications as a director of transportation
Leonard noted that an important feature is the filtering that facilitates quickly and accurately sending messages to impacted students, parents and teachers when something like a flat tire occurs. Roche added that pre-prepared, fill-in-the-blank messages can be set up, so caregivers receive accurate information.
Roche talked about a time when it was incorrectly rumored that the school bus was involved in a road crash. Social media was instantly ablaze and calls were flooding in. Good transportation software should allow for targeted messages to be sent to affected parents if an incident occurs, he advised.
He added that student information like allergies and medical conditions can also be added into the software so school bus drivers and monitors can provide the best care for that student.
Fayette County Public School in Arkansas has implemented seating charts to help student behavior, Leonard said. Males and females sit on opposite sides and younger students sit toward the front of the bus.
“Just like in the classroom, the closer the student is to the adult in the room or the adult on the bus, usually the better that student behaves,” he said.
Seating charts combined with onboard cameras can also help pinpoint vandalism, Roche pointed out. Seating charts, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and technology can be used together to not only improve the quality of the bus ride for students, but also free up the driver to keep their eyes on the road, he noted.
In the case of an emergency, seating charts and tablets can help first responders confirm student identities, Leonard said. Transportation staff or district admin can pull reports on their end to share with law enforcement as well, Roche agreed.
Leonard added that sensitive student notices, like the fact that they shouldn’t be riding the bus, can be sent to drivers through the transportation software rather than over the radio where they could be overheard.
Both presenters agreed that, in the current driver shortages, software helps both regular and substitute drivers act consistently to positively guide student behaviors.
School was scheduled to start in two weeks. Yet, installation of the district’s new bus camera systems was delayed. As anxiety grew, so did the questions: Why the delay? Where were the buses? How quickly can the issues be resolved? The district raced to find answers.
While planning your installations, consider these eight tips to facilitate efficiency and help you stay on budget:
1. Hold Up-front Meetings
The more details you cover with stakeholders, the better. Organize meetings before installation begins to establish deadlines, review system requirements and settings, assign duties and expectations, examine shipping schedules, and discuss the approval process. Also, anticipate potential delays that could impact completion. Figure them into your timetable to ease deadline pressure.
2. Check State Regulations
Rules for bus safety solutions vary by state and may impact your hardware orders and installations. For example, some states require that cameras be recessed. Other states prohibit windshield-mount cameras but permit pedestal-mount models. Know the laws before you order to optimize expenses.
3. Confirm Bus Availability
Will your installer have access to the number of buses promised and at the right location(s)? Missing buses or incorrect addresses can result in lengthy delays and wasted time and money.
4. Set Up a Preview
Request the installation of one system on a vehicle. Assess the results with your installer to fine-tune the camera views, test DVR settings and identify potential barriers. Once you approve the setup, your installer can apply the same specs to the remaining installations to save time.
5. Be Available During Installations
Avoid costly do-overs by being present during installations. Should issues arise, you’ll be the first to know, enabling you to address questions quickly or make calls to find answers.
6. Require Sign-off Sheets
Have installers sign completion forms prior to receiving payment. A sign-off sheet after every installation helps ensure completion, accuracy and quality workmanship by the installer.
7. Request a Guarantee
If installation-related problems arise, you’ll want reassurance that they will be fixed at no charge. Ask your installer for a guarantee lasting a year or longer. When purchasing hardware, buy from a reputable vendor, like REI, with speedy turnaround on parts. In the unlikely event you receive a defective product, a replacement is sent within two business days.
8. Ask For 24/7/365 Support
When questions arise, installers need answers fast. Live, in-house Support can help prevent downtime. Let’s say your installer wants to confirm your REI camera system is operating correctly. You could call REI Support at any hour for troubleshooting assistance.
Contact REI for more information about its HD safety solutions and planning tips to facilitate their installation.
The views expressed are those of the content sponsor and do not reflect those of School Transportation News.
A school bus is approaching a school bus stop and the driver notices law enforcement personnel mingling with the waiting children. Upon the school bus doors opening, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents ask to enter because there might be some undocumented students on board. Maybe the agents want to ask some of the students about their family members.
While such a scenario has yet to occur, many people fear it could. In areas with significant migrant communities, children and parents are fearful of becoming separated because of an ICE raid.
In Florida, a state with many undocumented immigrants, school superintendents and their legal staffs have issued statements on how their personnel including school bus drivers should respond to potential ICE raids or federal law enforcement visits to their campuses and buses. Their children are attending schools, and they have a right to a public-school education, ruled the U.S. Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe.
On Feb. 26, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a Task Force Model to encourage street-level immigration enforcement. This will give local law enforcement agencies the ability to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their regular work. All 67 Florida counties have entered into agreements with federal authorities so they can engage in street level enforcement.
A memo sent by Broward Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn to all campus principals noted the anxiety regarding the current immigration situation. He said current developments are being monitored for their implications for schools and communities. The district will provide updated guidance and additional information as it becomes available.
Hepburn added that immigration-related issues can create uncertainty and anxiety among students, families and staff. He encouraged school leaders to continue providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.
Since the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, all public schools and most private schools have taken security to a much higher level. Anyone —including the governor or a U.S. president — who wants to visit any campus within the Broward County School District must pass a thorough two- or three-layer security check before entering a building. This is even true for all athletic and music performance events.
An ICE agent could also not enter any school building or ball field without permission from an administrator and would have to show their ID before entering a school facility.
Still, students and teachers have been instructed by Broward County school officials that they do not have to answer any questions from an ICE or federal law enforcement agent. They have all been instructed on their rights regarding any interaction with a federal agent.
Also, all school personnel including bus drivers or bus attendants have been told to contact their school district’s legal department if approached by an ICE agent. The position of school leadership is not to violate the law but to not cooperate with ICE agents, according to a statement from Broward Schools.
Teachers’ unions are also looking for ways to fight immigration actions. During a joint press conference on Feb. 6, the United Teachers of Dade and the Broward Teachers Union said teachers, students and parents are afraid and uncomfortable about the possibility of federal raids. Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union, said she is opposed to any ICE enforcement at previous sensitive areas and said schools must be safe places for students.
Karla Hernandez-Mats, president of the United Teachers for Dade, said that any person who enters a school campus or school bus must have a warrant signed by a judge and that school district attorneys will review the warrant. She said she believes a final decision will be made by the school district’s superintendent and that no raids have taken place on school property or buses.
While ICE agents may not be targeting schools and children directly, a growing number of students who have undocumented family members have said they are anxious that they or a family member could be detained and deported, explained Fusco
Meanwhile, the Palm Beach County School District issued a statement that said it remains dedicated to the mission of educating and inspiring students to reach their full potential. The statement continued that the district adheres to strict protocols for all campus visitors and complies with all relevant state and federal laws and regulations. The district will monitor any federal or state policy changes that impact schools.
A statement issued by the Monroe County District said the district will follow the law. However, it has policies in place to make any interactions with students by outside agencies least disruptive to schools.
A recent study conducted for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) claims that electric school buses (ESBs) are not only viable but also advantageous in Montana’s harsh winter conditions.
The study published last September by clean energy nonprofit VEIC evaluated all 17 ESBs that are currently operating across six school districts: Bigfork, Billings, Clinton, East Helena, Fairfield, and Havre. The findings indicate significant fuel cost savings, reliable performance in subzero temperatures, and positive feedback from both drivers and transportation managers.
A Montana DEQ spokesperson told School Transportation News the agency partially funded 11 of the 17 ESBs studied. The EPA Clean School Bus Program also provided funding.
One of the primary concerns regarding electric vehicles in Montana is their performance during severe winter weather. The study found that ESBs operated effectively even when temperatures dropped to 25 degrees below zero. While vehicle efficiency decreased by up to 40 percent in such extreme cold, the buses consistently met the required daily route distances. Notably, the study said ESBs demonstrated more reliable start-up performance compared to diesel buses, which often face challenges like fuel gelling in low temperatures.
Brian Picariello, the principal consultant and clean transportation lead at VEIC, emphasized the efficiency of electric school buses in extreme weather.
“One major takeaway from the study was that, on average, the electric school buses were almost four times more efficient than the diesel alternative,” he told STN. “The buses also had sufficient range to complete their assigned routes, even under extreme cold and hot conditions. In fact, during a significant cold front, the temperature dipped more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit below zero, and the diesel buses at one agency had to be taken out of service while the electric buses continued operation, albeit with a 30- to 40-percent range reduction.”
Havre Public Schools near the U.S-Canada border launched its electric school bus program in late 2022, putting two Lion C electric buses into service by early 2023. Allen “Woody” Woodwick, the district’s fleet manager, said skepticism was high at the start of the program.
“There was a lot of people that said you couldn’t run electrics up in Montana, so that was somewhat of a challenge,” Woodwick told Montana Public Radio earlier this month. “And it looks like we’ve been proving the simple fact is yes, we can.”
He shared with STN that the Lion ESBs “have been largely problem-free,” but he added that obtaining parts and service has been an ongoing issue, largely due to Havre’s remote location in north-central Montana.
“The few service techs they had were nowhere near Montana. They were expecting to expand but other issues arose,” Woodrick continued. “So, we plan on running the buses as we have been and figure out the challenges as they come, and source our parts from the suppliers or manufacturers.”
Other Montana school districts that participated in the study include Bigfork (one Lion C), Clinton (two Lion Cs) East Helena (one Lion C), Fairfield (three Lion Cs), and Billings (eight IC Bus CEs), with all buses deployed between January 2023 and January 2024.
The transition to electric buses has also resulted in notable cost savings. Each ESB averaged $1,575 in annual fuel savings compared to traditional diesel buses. Additionally, maintenance costs are expected to decrease over time due to the simpler mechanics of electric drivetrains, which have fewer moving parts and do not require oil changes or exhaust system repairs, the study noted.
However, the study highlighted that per-mile energy costs could vary, with fleets subject to utility demand charges seeing energy costs twice as high as those without such fees. This discrepancy emphasizes the role of local utility pricing structures in determining the overall cost-effectiveness of ESBs. According to VEIC’s full report, understanding these factors is critical for districts considering electrification.
Beyond economic advantages, the adoption of electric buses contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. ESBs produce zero tailpipe emissions, leading to improved air quality for students and the community. Even when accounting for emissions from electricity generation, the overall environmental footprint of ESBs is significantly smaller than that of diesel buses.
Picariello noted that even with the use of auxiliary diesel heaters in winter months, ESBs significantly reduced emissions compared to diesel buses.
“The buses in this study with auxiliary heaters, maintained efficiency and range during winter months better than buses in previous studies,” he explained, citing the example of NREL’s 2022 report on electric transit buses in Duluth, Minnesota. “Although the significance was not assessed directly, it does seem likely that the auxiliary fuel heaters allowed the buses to continue operating efficiently at extreme temperatures compared to buses that use electric resistance elements for cabin heating.”
Meanwhile, transportation managers and drivers have reported positive experiences with the new electric buses, according to the study. Drivers noted better acceleration and quieter operation, enhancing the overall transportation environment. Despite a slightly lower top speed compared to diesel buses, the performance of ESBs has met the daily operational needs of the districts.
Picariello emphasized the enthusiasm among drivers and school managers.
“We were also pleasantly surprised to hear how much drivers and school managers loved the experience once they were trained and got used to the new equipment,” he said. “It’s promising to hear that on-road performance across driving conditions met or exceeded that of internal combustion alternatives. It was also encouraging to hear all the folks who manage these fleets year after year would recommend them to other districts in the area.”
Regarding reliability, the study reported that ESBs were available for route service 82 percent of the time, compared to 94 percent of the time with diesel buses. The study noted that 72 percent of the out-of-service days for ESBs occurred in a single district. Excluding that district, the remaining ESBs had an availability rate of 93 percent. The primary causes of downtime were related to components outside of the electric drivetrain, highlighting the need for comprehensive maintenance training and support.
While funding is often cited as the primary barrier to widespread ESB adoption, Picariello pointed out additional challenges.
“Funding aside, the main barriers for schools are split in two categories: Infrastructure improvements and change management,” he explained. “Schools often need to work with a local electrician, charging manufacturers, and their utility to make the necessary electrical upgrades for more capacity and install charging equipment, all of which takes a lot of coordination and time and potentially cost.”
Picariello added that early collaboration with utilities is key to overcoming these challenges.
“The sooner a district can engage their local distribution utility to discuss the scope of the work, the better. From there, fleet managers, technicians and drivers need access to expert-level training and support services to help their teams get comfortable with the electric buses and charging infrastructure, like any new technology.”
He emphasized that ensuring contracts with vehicle OEMs and charging manufacturers include sufficient training and support can help districts confidently transition to electric fleets.
School districts around the country showed their appreciation for student transportation staff during Love the Bus Month through gifts, food, and special events. Scroll through the gallery to see how districts and bus companies are showing that they love the bus and recognizing the dedication of their drivers and other transportation staff.
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Alexander County Schools in North Carolina gifted each bus driver and monitor a phone holder and cookie to show their appreciation during Love the Bus Week
Alexander County Schools in North Carolina gifted each bus driver and monitor a phone holder and cookie to show their appreciation during Love the Bus Week
Alexander County Schools in North Carolina gifted each bus driver and monitor a phone holder and cookie to show their appreciation during Love the Bus Week
Alexander County Schools in North Carolina gifted each bus driver and monitor a phone holder and cookie to show their appreciation during Love the Bus Week
North Buncombe Elementary School in North Carolina shared these photos saying, “It was so much fun celebrating our amazing bus drivers this week! Their dedication to safely transport our students to and from school is invaluable. We appreciate everything they do!”
North Buncombe Elementary School in North Carolina shared these photos saying, “It was so much fun celebrating our amazing bus drivers this week! Their dedication to safely transport our students to and from school is invaluable. We appreciate everything they do!”
North Buncombe Elementary School in North Carolina shared these photos saying, “It was so much fun celebrating our amazing bus drivers this week! Their dedication to safely transport our students to and from school is invaluable. We appreciate everything they do!”
North Buncombe Elementary School in North Carolina shared these photos saying, “It was so much fun celebrating our amazing bus drivers this week! Their dedication to safely transport our students to and from school is invaluable. We appreciate everything they do!”
North Buncombe Elementary School in North Carolina shared these photos saying, “It was so much fun celebrating our amazing bus drivers this week! Their dedication to safely transport our students to and from school is invaluable. We appreciate everything they do!”
Durham School Services said team Hutchinson in Kansas had a team breakfast to celebrate both Love the Bus Month and Valentine’s Day
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Greenville County Schools in South Carolina shared photos from the cinnamon roll breakfasts hosted at the district’s bus centers to thank transportation for their dedication
Hiddenite Elementary School in North Carolina recognized Love the Bus Month, saying “This week we have showered our fabulous bus drivers with cakes, cookies, flowers, and meals! We are so grateful for these kind-hearted and trustworthy staff members! They take on a huge responsibility for the safety of our students and we couldn’t thank them enough!”
Hiddenite Elementary School in North Carolina recognized Love the Bus Month, saying “This week we have showered our fabulous bus drivers with cakes, cookies, flowers, and meals! We are so grateful for these kind-hearted and trustworthy staff members! They take on a huge responsibility for the safety of our students and we couldn’t thank them enough!”
Hiddenite Elementary School in North Carolina recognized Love the Bus Month, saying “This week we have showered our fabulous bus drivers with cakes, cookies, flowers, and meals! We are so grateful for these kind-hearted and trustworthy staff members! They take on a huge responsibility for the safety of our students and we couldn’t thank them enough!”
Hiddenite Elementary School in North Carolina recognized Love the Bus Month, saying “This week we have showered our fabulous bus drivers with cakes, cookies, flowers, and meals! We are so grateful for these kind-hearted and trustworthy staff members! They take on a huge responsibility for the safety of our students and we couldn’t thank them enough!”
Hiddenite Elementary School in North Carolina recognized Love the Bus Month, saying “This week we have showered our fabulous bus drivers with cakes, cookies, flowers, and meals! We are so grateful for these kind-hearted and trustworthy staff members! They take on a huge responsibility for the safety of our students and we couldn’t thank them enough!”
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routes
North Hills School District in Pennsylvania gifted their drivers with hand warmers made by North Hills High School sewing club, to keep them warm during cold routesc
Teri Manpego, Director of Transportation at Prosper Independent School District in Texas, said the loved riding with Mrs. Melanie, saying “You can see the love she has for her kids and that is apparent by how those kids respect her. Every student as soon as they sat in their seat buckled up. So impressed!!”
Teri Manpego shared photos of the at Prosper ISD “Love the Bus” celebrations
Teri Manpego shared photos of the at Prosper ISD “Love the Bus” celebrations
Teri Manpego shared photos of the at Prosper ISD “Love the Bus” celebrations
Saratoga Springs City School District in New York shared these photos from Division Street Elementary School’s celebration breakfast for their bus drivers
Saratoga Springs City School District in New York shared these photos from Division Street Elementary School’s celebration breakfast for their bus drivers
As part of Bus Driver Appreciation, Vance County Schools in North Carolina said the Board of Education recognized drivers with perfect attendance for the 2023-2024 school year and thanked them for their commitment
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
Wake County Public School System in North Carolina recognized student transportation staff at East Cary Magnet Middle School with some goodie bags and food. Derek Graham bought treats for the drivers and was joined by other local transportation professionals for the celebration.
ABC Transit in Pennsylvania recognized their drivers saying “Our drivers go the extra mile, and without them, we’d be in a real JAM! This Driver Appreciation Month, we’re recognizing our amazing Moniteau drivers for their hard work and dedication—thank you for keeping us rolling!”
ABC Transit in Pennsylvania recognized their drivers saying “Our drivers go the extra mile, and without them, we’d be in a real JAM! This Driver Appreciation Month, we’re recognizing our amazing Moniteau drivers for their hard work and dedication—thank you for keeping us rolling!”
ABC Transit in Pennsylvania recognized their drivers saying “Our drivers go the extra mile, and without them, we’d be in a real JAM! This Driver Appreciation Month, we’re recognizing our amazing Moniteau drivers for their hard work and dedication—thank you for keeping us rolling!”
ABC Transit in Pennsylvania recognized their drivers saying “Our drivers go the extra mile, and without them, we’d be in a real JAM! This Driver Appreciation Month, we’re recognizing our amazing Moniteau drivers for their hard work and dedication—thank you for keeping us rolling!”
ABC Transit in Pennsylvania recognized their drivers saying “Our drivers go the extra mile, and without them, we’d be in a real JAM! This Driver Appreciation Month, we’re recognizing our amazing Moniteau drivers for their hard work and dedication—thank you for keeping us rolling!”
Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware shared these photos thanking school bus drivers, monitors and contractors for their dedication to student safety!
Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware shared these photos thanking school bus drivers, monitors and contractors for their dedication to student safety!
Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware shared these photos thanking school bus drivers, monitors and contractors for their dedication to student safety!
Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware shared these photos thanking school bus drivers, monitors and contractors for their dedication to student safety!
Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware shared these photos thanking school bus drivers, monitors and contractors for their dedication to student safety!
Cape Henlopen School District in Delaware shared these photos thanking school bus drivers, monitors and contractors for their dedication to student safety!
A webinar demonstrated the efficiency benefits of partnering with a national contractor for school bus maintenance.
“Fleet maintenance is evolving, plain and simple,” stated Edmund Dixon, a principal consultant for the First Consulting division of Thursday’s webinar sponsor First Student. “Do you have the latest and greatest technology in your shop?”
Todd Hawkins, senior vice president of maintenance for First Student, reviewed how costs and types of repairs coincide and their effect on shop environment, technician stress and bus uptime. Scheduled, preventative and predictive maintenance, he said, helps avoid things like road calls, misdiagnoses and neglected repairs.
Jackson Diodoardo, a principal consultant for First Student, reviewed the case of a 200-vehicle fleet operated for St. Landry Parish School Board in Louisiana. The district had what Diodoardo referred to as extreme driver and technician shortages, burdensome maintenance costs and budgetary constraints.
A tiered fleet leasing plan was implemented, starting with 15 buses and growing to 30. First Services by First Student staffed the shop with its own technicians and provided training, which reduced turnover rates.
Diodoardo concluded that the district is now enjoying a reliable fleet with new technology and reduced maintenance costs.
How It’s Done
Diodoardo reviewed First Student’s size and scale across 44 U.S. states and eight Canadian provinces, while Hawkins shared the expertise and training that its technicians undergo to receive ASE Certifications as well as the company-wide policies that ensure that KPI and efficiency standards are met.
“We’re trying to turn unscheduled events to scheduled, which will save time,” Hawkins declared. “Accurate diagnosis and repair saves money.”
Hawkins reviewed the company’s asset management system, Hexagon, and revealed how First Services teaches techs to “fix something that’s not broken” by effectively leveraging predictive analytics.
“It’s not hard to buy a program and get predictions, but it’s hard to make it effective,” he noted.
Dixon shared that on-demand support is available through the Technical Assistance Center, where district staff can seek insights from certified technicians to reduce repair time and unnecessary parts usage.
“Everything we do is to provide efficiency in our maintenance operations and service with the resources we have,” he added.
Hawkins reviewed stats from the past 10 years to demonstrate how partnering with First Services can reduce maintenance costs and improve customer satisfaction.
First Services offers maintenance consulting, maintenance as a service, and fleet as a service. The latter, Dixon noted, allows that a school district to retain full control of the fleet and drivers, resulting in greater efficiency and uptime.
Hawkins and Dixon also reviewed support for technicians, which includes good wages, higher training opportunities and technology usage—the latter being popular with younger technicians.
“Paying more for a good tech saves you money in the long run,” Hawkins declared.
He encouraged districts to ensure their shops and managers are satisfactory since sending out for help costs more.
“It really comes down to what each specific district needs and how those needs can be met, and we can partner with you to figure that out,” Dixon said. First Services will conduct audits and consultations and can be involved with any size district to the degree that the district desires, he confirmed.
Dixon and Hawkins added First Student’s scale and experience leads to providing the insights, experience and buying power that a standalone district would lack.
“Our whole life is efficiency because efficiency drives customer satisfaction. The better we do it, the cheaper it is and the happier the customer is,” Hawkins quipped. “We’re showing people what good looks like.”
Hawkins said that when First Services assumes school bus maintenance for a location, consultants work with unions and keep the existing technicians, who they continue to train. He confirmed that the turnover rate is low.
In answer to an attendee question, Hawkins confirmed First Services averages a 94-95 percent bus in-service rate.
Texas school officials have reassured parents that school buses have not and should not be targeted by immigration enforcement actions after a district’s letter to families raised concerns.
On Feb. 5, Alice Independent School District in Texas posted a letter on its Facebook page warning parents that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers may stop school buses to conduct immigration checks on students traveling for extracurricular activities. This caused significant concerns among parents. According to local news reports, the letter has since been deleted from the district’s Facebook page.
However, the district’s Superintendent Anysia Trevino released a second statement on Feb. 6, specifying that their previous letter was a proactive move made for student safety and not reactive to any Border Patrol incidents, as there had been none at this report.
“It is our understanding that key members of the U.S. Border Patrol have indicated that school buses and children will not be targeted,” said Trevino.
Meanwhile, Denver Public Schools in Colorado filed the nation’s first lawsuit on Wednesday against the Trump administration, specifically the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem, for the new policy of allowing immigration raids at schools, churches and other “sensitive” locations.
According to an Education Week report on Thursday, DPS officials said they have had to devote a lot of time and resources to adding policies that keep students safe and training faculty and staff on how to respond to claims of immigration enforcement occurring at schools.
Dr. Debbie Jones knows the importance of prioritizing her staff and surrounding community, whether through a parent school choice program or dedicated housing for district personnel.
Ahead of the 2025 Superintendent of the Year being named on March 6 at the National Conference on Education in New Orleans, Louisiana, School Transportation News sat down with those in charge of transportation operations at the respective districts to gain a better understanding of how the services function. The Superintendent of the Year Award is sponsored by AASA: The School Superintendents Association along with Corebridge Financial and Sourcewell to celebrate contributions and leadership of public-school superintendents.
This year’s four finalists were selected from 49 state superintendent award winners (Hawaii was not included — STN reached out to AASA to confirm why, but Hawaii superintedenets oversee complexes, which is different than the other states) and were judged based on their exhibited leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement.
A $10,000 college scholarship will be presented in the name of the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year to a student at a high school the winning superintendent graduated from or from the school district the winner now leads.
One highlight of Bentonville Public Schools in Arkansas, where Jones serves as superintendent, is that it is fully staffed in transportation. Don Hoover, executive director of student services, lauded Transportation Director Jason Salmons and his team for their advertising and recruiting efforts.
We’re recruiting friends and colleagues and people they may go to church with, or friends from the neighborhood,” Hoover said. “We’re lucky this community responds. We’re fully staffed right now. We even have some wonderful teachers who help us out, teachers who work their full-time teaching job then help us out in the morning or the afternoon, if their schedule allows.”
Jones added another way the district has combatted the school bus driver shortage is by encouraging coaches to obtain their CDLs, so they can drive to their sporting events.
“When I came here, I was accustomed to coaches driving their bus,” Jones recalled of her previous experience. “[Bentonville] didn’t do it at the time. In fact, we wouldn’t allow it, and we needed more bus drivers.”
Jones said she started to encourage coaches, especially because home-to-school transportation is the priority. “And if that means you can’t get to your football game or baseball game because you don’t have a driver, it’s on you,” she noted. “They understand that now everyone needs a CDL [driver] on their team.”
Breaking Down Initiatives
Jones said one of the district’s biggest initiatives for transportation is related to Arkansas being a parent-choice state. Parents can enroll their children in private school, homeschool, public school, and charter schools as well as open enrollment for public school. This, she said, encourages Bentonville to be more competitive.
“We’re offering parents all kinds of different opportunities within our own school district,” she said, adding that this year Bentonville created a parent choice model for its schools downtown. “We’re a growing district of about 20,000 students and we grow a lot every year. Most of our families can afford to live out on the border of our zones.”
She explained that downtown Bentonville is very expensive. Plus, last month Walmart Home Office opened in the city, which is bringing in more people. Because people can’t afford to live downtown, she noted that four or five elementary schools don’t fill to capacity, whereas the schools closer to the district boundaries are at capacity. To draw more people to downtown schools, the district created the policy that it will provide transportation.
That also presents challenges.
“It’s hard to get enough bus drivers,” she said. “Increasing routes makes it even more difficult.”
To address this, she noted that over the past three years, Bentonville has reduced door-to-door school bus service that the community was accustomed to. Instead, the district transitioned to consolidated bus stops. Jones said transportation is handling the new parent choice model “beautifully.”
Bentonville at a glance:
District enrollment: 19,600 students
Students transported: 12,967
Daily routes: 132
Number of drivers: 152
Coaches that have their CDL: 19
Number of school buses: 168
Total miles driven yearly (route, field trips, sporting events): 1,899,866
Another initiative is creating staff housing, due to the expensive city of Bentonville. She noted the district wants to continue to hire top-quality staff, and she wants them to be able to live in Bentonville and not elsewhere which leads to longer work commutes. As a result, she noted the district partnered with a nonprofit to design 40 teacher cottages with rent far below market that staff can live in for up to five years based on income. The monthly rent payments are then saved for the employees so that when they move out, they receive the lump sum back. This can be used as a downpayment on a home.
The staff housing will also feature a 3,000-square-foot childcare center. Jones added that she expects some transportation staff will live there.
One last initiative Jones discussed was the district’s career program. Professional career programs are popular across Arkansas, and since 2016 Bentonville has offered a nonprofessional studies program that students are transported to via the school bus.
“Our bus drivers are driving to all of these opportunities for high school kids, from their high schools to the professional studies building from the high schools the junior college — We have welding programs — so [transportation is] taking care of all of these one-off programs,” Jones explained. “We have behavior classrooms too. Some of those can be tough [trips] for drivers and for aides.”
She added that Hope Academy is a trauma-based school located outside of the district, so Bentonville doesn’t receive funds for students going there. “We provide transportation free of charge,” she said, adding that they’re losing money for this service. “But it is a service to the district because the kids are getting the help they need and they’re not being disruptive.”
Culture
Meanwhile, Hoover in student services noted that Salmons in transportation does a great job visiting and speaking with his employees. “The most important thing is a very safe and really a nurturing ride to school and from school,” he added. “The bus driver may be the first adult kids see, the first adult interaction they have in a day outside of mom and dad. And sometimes Mom and Dad are going to work [in the morning]. We obviously want our drivers to have a big smile on their face and set the tone for a good day for all the kids as they’re going to school. So, when they get to school, they’re ready to learn.”
That same welcoming culture continues once students get to school. “They have welcoming principals and teachers at the classroom doors,” Hoover continued. “It’s the next wave of people who are greeting a student every morning to make them feel special and want to be part of Bentonville schools.”
Bentonville is continuing to run a majority of diesel and some gasoline school buses. Hoover noted that Salmons is looking into propane to determine if it’s a viable option. Bentonville doesn’t contract out any aspect of its transportation service.
In terms of technology, transportation uses several different platforms, one of which is student accountability through a badge scan system. “When the students come on, they badge on, they badge off,” Hoover explained. “It’s just a really good safety measure to have with your students. Our principals back at the campus can see that on the software program and their computers and know where their kids are at all times. And the individual parent through an app can know where their bus is on the route and when to expect their student home.”
Dr. Debbie Jones, superintendent for Bentonville Public Schools in Arkansas. Jones is a 2025 Superintendent of the Year finalist by AASA.
Building Relationships with Administration, Transportation
Dr. Debbie Jones, the superintendent of Bentonville Public Schools in Arkansas and one of the four finalists for Superintendent of the Year Award, said her family has a long history in education. She shared that her dad was a teacher, coach and farmer and was on the school board at one point. She recalled being the little girl hanging out with the high school cheerleaders. She said she views being a superintendent as continuing the tradition.
Additionally, she shared her husband Dale Jones is a coach and teacher. “It’s just part of the fabric of who we are as a family. And I love it still today, because getting to be around students of different ages,” she said, adding that she taught high school but also enjoys sitting in the elementary classrooms. “It’s refreshing. It’s inspiring. When I talk with high school kids at the secondary level who are really getting started in their careers, it’s so good to see that excitement in their eyes, the curiosity and it keeps you young in this job.
“I can easily get bored in a job, and this is one of the first jobs that I’m never bored,” she continued, adding that the day to day is different every hour.
Jones – a mother of five children, the youngest of which is finishing college, and a grandmother to two – said she’s traveled and worked in Tennessee and Kentucky but moved back to Arkansas 30 years ago. She is going on her ninth year as superintendent for Bentonville. When asked what being a Superintendent of the Year finalist award means to her, Jones shared there’s a new sense of responsibility.
“I was so surprised,” she said. “We have really such high-quality superintendents that were nominated, and I’m honored. And there’s a sense of responsibility to speak up for what we need in education, to fight for those things.”
She said that meeting the other three finalists in Washington, D.C., was reinvigorating and showed her that Bentonville is on the right track. “We’re doing some progressive things that are very good. Keep going, push harder,” she said. “Whether you’re the finalist or not is immaterial to me at this point. It is really about enjoying the process, learning from the process and it’s bringing the best that you can bring to the district and to the state.”
Jones noted that transportation staff tend to be more transient in their employment, as many school bus drivers are older and retiring. As a result, the department is constantly hiring and training people.
“We have to be very aggressive in marketing and paying,” she said. “We also have to have good relationships.”
She explained that currently transportation has a really great culture and leadership team. “It’s really important for each one of our schools, our principals, assistant principals, our teachers, to appreciate bus drivers, which they do. They show them lots of love,” she said.
Jones provided an example. During each school board meeting, the district recognizes an employee who goes the extra mile, nominated by anyone in the community. For January, the Extra Mile recipient was school bus driver Sonia, who was nominated by a teacher. Sonia was nominated because she decorates her bus for each holiday. Jones noted that when the teacher’s first grade class got on the bus to go on a Christmas field trip, Sonia played Christmas music that instantly put the children in the holiday spirit.
“We do try to show our drivers love,” Jones added. “They’re super high-quality employees. We’re really proud of them, and they take great care of our students, and we can’t function without them. The world stops when you have to start canceling bus routes, and we try to do everything we can to make that not happen.”
Hoover noted that Jones has an open-door policy and listens to the needs of all departments. He added that if Salmons has a particularly urgent problem, he can report it directly to Jones.
Hoover added that he has bi-monthly meetings with each department he oversees, including transportation, to discuss any operational needs.
“Dr. Jones is always very quick to respond and help us form the solution that is needed,” Hoover said. In speaking on the driver shortage again, he noted that Jones was very supportive with their advertising efforts to hire more drivers, as well as the needs of physical resources like new buses.
“We have support financially, have support to hire at all times, and it’s crucial we have that opportunity for open communications,” Hoover said. “She’s a superintendent that definitely wants to listen to what the departments need when they have those needs.”
Following the spread of several destructive wildfires across Southern California last month, transportation operations are just beginning to realize the impact on the students served.
More than 23,700 acres burned during the Palisades Fire, the most destructive fire in Los Angeles City history and third-most destructive in the state. Nearly 18,000 structures were burned, including homes, schools and businesses. At least 12 were killed as of this report. Parts of Malibu and Santa Monica were also devastated.
Neal Abramson, the recently retired transportation director for the Santa Monica – Malibu Unified School District, told School Transportation News that continued road closures were heavily impacting transportation services. Pacific Coast Highway finally reopened on Monday, nearly four weeks after the fire broke out on Jan. 7.
Abramson, who is still involved with the district as a consultant, noted that some school buses had to go 70 to 100 miles around road closures to transport students to and from school. Other school bus routes simply did not run at all.
He said students were displaced in areas where routes can be one to two hours long one way. That has been a challenge to a primarily CNG fleet and a 220-mile range per bus.
Many are still trying to navigate the impact of the fires and how it will affect transportation in the long run. Danielle Press, EverDriven’s chief growth officer, noted the alternative transportation company had yet to see an increase in student riders affected or displaced by the fires, but she anticipates it will come.
“We know affected districts are currently working to understand the impact fires have had on their student’s transportation,” she said, adding that no EverDriven employees or partners were directly impacted by the fires. “We think we’ll see a gradual increase in student riders directly impacted by the fires within the next one to two months.”
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Unified School District, which serves the Pacific Palisades community, helped with the evacuation of students and staff from Marquez Elementary School and Palisades Charter Elementary School, both of which were significantly damaged by fire. An LAUSD public information officer added that some school buses were stuck on Sunset Boulevard, which stretches from Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades to downtown Los Angeles, due to people abandoning their personal vehicles to flee from the fires.
The district closed schools in early January due to air quality concerns and remained closed for several days. As school reopened, LAUSD added routes and adjusted them accordingly to meet the needs of students. Transportation continues to monitor the situation, the spokesperson added. No information was shared on if facilities or vehicles were damaged.
Several commenters in a Facebook school bus drivers group shared they too were involved in evacuation efforts.
A phone app shows the area of the Eaton Fire that impacted the Pasadena and Altadena areas in Southern California. Stock photo
Also on Jan. 7, about 30 miles away, the Eaton Fire broke out. It ultimately destroyed 9,000 structures and damaged another 1,074. The fire, which killed at least 17 people, greatly affected the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), which serves Altadena, Linda Vista, Pasadena, and surrounding cities. More than 10,000 students and 1,387 employees lived in the evacuation zones, and many lost their homes.
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and PUSD announced on Jan. 14 an agreement to provide free emergency housing for over 1,300 PUSD staff whose homes were evacuated within the burn zone of the Eaton Fire.
“Providing housing for impacted school staff is a critical step toward reopening PUSD schools and stabilizing the Pasadena community,” a press release stated, adding that the housing was made available through Airbnb.org, a nonprofit organization founded by Airbnb that connects people to free emergency housing in times of crisis.
School Transportation News asked PUSD if any transportation employees were utilizing the housing but had not received a reply at this report.
Due to school buildings being destroyed, the district announced classes were being moved to various locations throughout the community. The district announced a phased reopening plan starting on Jan. 23. As of this week, all schools have reopened.
Joanna McFarland, co-founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive, said her alternative transportation company is committed to being a part of the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“It’s an understatement to say that our hearts go out to the students, families, and school teams who have been impacted by the wildfires in Southern California over the last few weeks,” McFarland said. “We know that rebuilding will take time and there are immediate needs for transportation support for displaced students as well as impacted district staff. We are proud to work alongside our partners to arrange transportation for students with just six hours’ notice. Whether a child is temporarily displaced and needs to get to school, a school now is located somewhere new and must route students immediately, or the impacts on district staff make it difficult to fulfill transportation needs the way they once had, HopSkipDrive is able to meet these needs safely and reliably.”
Both fires have been contained and extinguished at this report. However, a new report by UCLA on the economic impact of the wildfires estimates total property and capital losses range between $95 billion and $164 billion. Prior to these fires, California’s most expensive wildfire was the 2018 Northern California “Camp Fire” with an estimated $30 billion in losses.
Headlines reflect how U.S. states, school districts, and manufacturers are navigating new funding and emissions rules from the Trump presidential administration.
Mitzii Smith is the assistant director of transportation for Maine School Administrative District 6, a Maine School Safety Specialist, president-elect of the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation, and a 2024 STN Rising Star. She discusses running propane buses, promoting emotional intelligence to support staff, and what she’s looking forward to at STN EXPO Charlotte in March.
WASHINGTON — The Engine Technology Forum (ETF) welcomes Roush Enterprises, Inc. (Roush) as its newest member. The not-for-profit ETF organization is dedicated to promoting understanding of the benefits of advanced engines, fuels, and technologies. Engine Technology Forum members are leaders in those industries.
Founded in 1976 by motorsports legend Jack Roush, the company has established itself as a premier global provider of automotive performance products and clean fuel technology solutions. With a workforce of over 4,500 employees worldwide, Roush also provides creative solutions for advanced mobility, aerospace, defense, and theme park industries. Roush CleanTech is an advanced clean transportation solutions provider for the commercial truck industry.
Roush CleanTech Executive VP Todd Mouw states that “Since our inception, we have focused on developing innovative and reliable technologies for the medium-duty market. Roush CleanTech designs, manufactures, and installs clean technology fuel systems, including propane Autogas, for commercial vehicles and school buses across North America. Our people take ideas and make them real for clients in some of the world’s most dynamic industries. “
“We see a bright future for internal combustion engine technology in new and conversion applications. More than 45,000 vehicles school and shuttle buses, work trucks, and other vehicles are on the roads with Roush technology. Our commitment to being a leader in advanced engine technology includes helping to educate and inform people about the policies that drive our customers’ needs. Our work aligns well with the Engine Technology Forum, which is dedicated to educating others about the tremendous value of advanced engines to economies around the world. We’re pleased to join other industry leaders by supporting this important effort,” says Mouw.
ETF Executive Director Allen Schaeffer says, “Our Forum members are excited to welcome the Roush team. We’re looking forward to the insights they’ll share and their contributions to our constantly evolving scope of work. Advanced engines and fuels help our world evolve, and progress, to meet new challenges. And Roush’s commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation will help the Forum share this story with others around the world.”
The Forum brings together a broad range of stakeholders including advanced engine users, public and environmental interest groups, as well as government officials, to encourage the exchange of information and ideas about the use of advanced engine technology. ETF is also the only organization dedicated to promoting and defending a viable future for internal combustion engines in all applications.
The Engine Technology Forum was established in October 2023. It evolved from the widely known Diesel Technology Forum which was founded in 2000. ETF is based in metropolitan Washington, DC.
Roush’s US operations are based in Livonia, Michigan.
About Roush
Roush is a full-service product development supplier headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. Since 1976, the company has grown to more than 4,500 employees in facilities located throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Named a Crain’s Detroit Fast 50 in 2018, Roush is widely recognized for providing engineering, testing, prototyping, and manufacturing services to the mobility, aerospace, defense, and theme park industries. Corporate subsidiaries include Roush Performance, a developer and manufacturer of performance vehicles and products for the automotive aftermarket; and Roush CleanTech, a developer, and manufacturer of alternative fuel systems for the fleet vehicle market. For more information, visit www.roush.com.
About the Engine Technology Forum
Founded on the principles of fact-based education, science, outreach and collaboration, the Engine Technology Forum is dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of the benefits of advanced engines and the fuels that they use, as well as how these contribute to a sustainable future. Please join us. We also invite you to connect with us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Sign up for our digital newsletter, too.
STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina, is approaching fast, a NASDPTS paper espoused the safety of school buses over alternative transportation, and student transportation organizations tackle safety issues like illegal passing.
David Poag, a 2024 STN Rising Star and director of transportation for Spartanburg School District 6 in South Carolina, shares how he leverages his business and sociology experience to stay fully staffed and keep students safe.
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With over 25 years in the industry, Robert Young leads the transportation department at Thomas County Schools, ensuring students travel safely and efficiently across the district. He oversees fleet operations, route planning, driver training, and regulatory compliance while driving innovation and cost-effective solutions.
Our Director of Sales and Marketing has a substantial experience of over 15 years and specializes in helping clients leverage technology to solve complex challenges. He has extensive expertise in leading sales and marketing teams, creating informative content for buyers, and using consultative selling to drive real outcomes. At Busology Tech, Batasi leads the sales and marketing team, connecting with K-12 schools across North America to deliver impactful solutions.
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