Two of the most recognized and respected names in student transportation safety will be at STN EXPO West to share their expertise with conference attendees.
Industry veterans Richard “Dick” Fischer and Pete Baxter will present a half-day seminar “The Best of the Dick and Pete Show” on Wednesday, July 15. This in-depth session will give attendees invaluable education from two National Association of Pupil Transportation Hall of Fame inductees on safety leadership, organizational learning and risk governance in student transportation.
In this seminar, STN EXPO West attendees will receive a comprehensive student transportation safety training that will dive into real-life school bus safety cases, including Danger Zone safety incidents and the “Titanic tragedy,” a 2016 incident in England, where a school bus carrying 26 children got stuck in deep floodwaters, and reveal the lessons learned. Fischer and Baxter will highlight the dangerous pitfalls of overconfidence, ignoring warning signs or a lack of preparedness or emergency training.
The message of the training will contain an overall theme of continuous improvement through the fostering of a strong safety culture. Attendees will be given safety training modules designed to give student transportation leaders what they need to know to implement safe practices, communication, accountability all to protect every child and school bus driver on every bus ride.
Fischer has spent over six decades championing school bus safety as a school district transportation director, school-bus safety trainer and consultant. He successfully petitioned President Richard Nixon in 1969 to proclaim the first School Bus Safety Week. Even following his official retirement announcement in 2013, he has continued to present training, advocate for the industry, and become involved in national safety discussions.
Baxter is a former state director of student transportation at the Indiana Department of Education and past-president of both the National Association for Pupil Transportation and the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, one of only two industry professionals to hold both offices.
Both Fischer and Baxter have served as expert witnesses in court for legal cases involving school bus collisions and have extensive experience and knowledge to equip student transporters to further safety at their operations.
STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The conference will feature hands-on training classes, educational sessions, a dynamic keynote presentation, and networking opportunities. Register now at stnexpo.com/west.
Student transportation professionals looking to advance to the next leadership level are encouraged to sign up for the “So You Want to Be a Transportation Supervisor” professional development special training at STN EXPO West.
This annual conference seminar allows student transporters to prepare for a transition to a supervisor role or re-evaluate their leadership skill sets. Led by a panel of seasoned instructors and industry experts, this seminar is ideal for those looking to improve their operations, department culture and staff interactions. It will be held on Saturday, July 11 as an all-day training from 11:30-5 p.m.
The instructor team is led by Alexandra Robinson, a former executive director of transportation and current industry consultant and expert witness as well as TSD Conference tenured faculty member. She is joined by Tim Purvis of consultant group Pupil Transportation Information; and Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, chief support services officer for Broken Arrow Public Schools in Oklahoma and Pam McDonald, a retired director of transportation and current consultant.
What the Professional Development Consists Of
For those who are newer to the industry, the instructors will discuss making data driven leadership decisions, understanding return on investment, and collaborating with the right people at the district to move transportation operations forward. They will also speak on team building, customer service, communication strategies, workplace culture and productivity as well as operational considerations such as employee retention, principles of proper routing and managing data.
Attendees will be exposed to interactive leadership and team-building scenarios. The instructors through how to approach them with a correct human resources perspective. Attendees will also have a chance to ask questions of the instructors and gain invaluable supervisor and leadership lessons from real-life experiences.
At the end of the professional development class, attendees will have received strategic and practical advice that will better equip them to lead in hard times and build strong relationships with their team.
Electric school bus manufacturer RIDE will sponsor refreshments during the session. There is a maximum of 100 participants. Separate registration is required at no additional charge.
STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. Attendees will have access to a week of educational sessions based on the challenges facing the industry, training classes to improve operations, networking events to bring peers together for problem-solving and innovative experiences such as the Ride and Drive/Live Product Demo, the STN EXPO Trade Show and the Transportation Director Summit. Register at stnexpo.com/west.
News headlines feature incidents of school bus drivers getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which often leads to disastrous consequences.
Even if there are no student injuries, trust can be lost between the district and community when cases like this occur. A new training opportunity at the STN EXPO West conference will give student transportation leaders a thorough course in reasonable suspicion training of CDL employees.
Tonica Lathrop will be leading the “Supervisory Reasonable Suspicion Training” on Friday, July 10. Lathrop is the president of Reno, Nevada-based Sinnett Consulting Services. The company has over 25 years of experience in drug and alcohol policies, regulations, procedures and testing requirements. She has extensive experience in managing alcohol and drug compliance programs and developing drug-free workplace policies.
During the two-hour class, Lathrop will cover how supervisors can recognize the physical, behavioral, speech and performance indicators of probable employee alcohol or other controlled substances abuse. This portion of the training will also cover the misuse/abuse of over-the-counter medications, power drinks and energy formulas.
She will also discuss the legal aspects/concerns of reasonable cause and suspicion when conducting CDL drug and alcohol testing and corrective interviews. Attendees will also learn how to document performance problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse and how to discuss corrections with employees.
The class meets U.S. Department of Transportation training requirements and participants receive a certificate upon completion.
The Early Bird Deadline ends on June 5, register now to save $100 on main conference registration. STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The conference will feature hands-on training classes, educational sessions, a dynamic keynote presentation, and networking opportunities. Register now at stnexpo.com/west.
Student transportation professionals are invited to apply for a continuing education scholarship that will provide them access to the entire STN EXPO West conference in Reno, Nevada.
Richard “Dick” Fischer has built a lifetime career contributing to the student transportation industry. He is a well-known and respected voice in discussions around school bus safety, having spent over six decades serving as a school district transportation director, school-bus safety trainer and consultant. He is an NAPT Hall of Fame member and recognized as the “father” of School Bus Safety Week for successfully petitioning President Richard Nixon in 1969 for the first federal recognition.
Following his official retirement announcement in 2013, Fischer has continued be a presence advocating for continued safety efforts, not only as a speaker at STN EXPO conferences but in his daily School Bus Safety Newsletter email that covers news about school bus and student transportation happenings around the nation. The newsletter subscription is free of charge to any professional in the student transportation industry. Email Dick Fischer for more information.
Scholarship Advances Professional Development Opportunities
Pete Baxter, a former state director of student transportation at the Indiana Department of Education, created the scholarship when Fischer received the STN Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 STN EXPO West conference. Kara Sands, transportation lead trainer and driver at Hanover Community Schools Corporation in Indiana, won the inaugural scholarship last year and shared that she used the opportunity to expand her own professional development.
“I try to keep an open mind. I try to take it all in, you know, whether someone has got more experience at something than me or not. There’s always something I learn new every day. But sometimes people just don’t see that way…For me that is something I would like to discuss with [other] trainers,” she said.
Since expanded by Fischer with additional funding, the scholarship returns this year award to one student transportation professional from a school district or school bus contractor for championing safety at their operations, in their state or nationally. Nominations must be submitted by a supervisor or colleague who can provide detailed examples of the individual’s accomplishments and explain why the nominee would benefit from attending the 2026 STN EXPO West conference and the professional development opportunity.
The scholarship winner will receive funds to cover travel, hotel room accommodations and conference registration costs. The deadline to submit a nomination is May 29, the nomination form can be found at stnexpo.com/west/stn-expo/scholarship.
For regular attendees of the conference, save $100 on main conference registration with Early Bird Savings, ending June 5. The STN EXPO West conference will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The six-day agenda includes the Bus Technology Summit plus Green Bus Summit experience, the STN EXPO Trade Show, hands on trainings, educational sessions and other networking events. Register at stnexpo.com/west.
The topic of seatbelts on school buses is much-debated safety topic around the industry. Ron Kinney, a retired state director of school transportation for the California Department of Education and school bus contractor government relations executive, looks to breakdown the real-life data on how seatbelts, specifically the lap/shoulder variety, affect safety.
The breakout session “School Bus Lap/Shoulder Belts, California’s 20 Year Journey” will be held July 13 during the STN EXPO West conference in Reno, Nevada. During the session, Kinney will present the data of California’s school bus crash and passenger injuries beginning with the 2004-2005 school year through 2024. He will analyze this data in light of the incremental appearance of lap/shoulder seatbelts on new California school buses, starting in 2004, when they became the first state in the nation to require them on all new school buses.
Kinney recently compiled an even more comprehensive look spanning not only the 20 years of seatbelt usage but the 10 years prior using the annual California Highway Patrol’s annual “School Bus Crash and Pupil Passenger Injury Summary Report.” He will discuss some of the federal updates that stemmed from California state laws, including the 2002 state law that requires all newly purchased school buses after July 1, 2025 be equipped with lap/shoulder seatbelts, which led to current FMVSS 222 requirements for lap/shoulder seatbelts in all Type A school buses nationwide.
Attendees will receive a detailed breakdown of how lap/shoulder seatbelts impact the overall safety of student riders and how they correlate to the number of injuries in student transportation. This informative session features a data-based discussion around seatbelts that will help inform conference attendees on this important safety tool.
Kinney Brings Wealth of Industry Experience to Impact Conversation
Kinney’s career in student transportation spans 58 years, starting when he became a part-time school bus driver in 1968. After later serving as a mechanic and student transportation manager at the school district level, he joined the California Department of Education, first as an instructor for school bus driver trainers and later as the state director of school transportation.
He later became director of marketing and business development for Laidlaw Education Services then the school bus contractor’s director of government relations. He served in the same role for First Group America.
Kinney currently serves as a pupil transportation consultant and vice president of the board of directors for the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute a non-profit school transportation safety training organization located in New York. He is also an active member of National Association for Pupil Transportation, National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, where he co-authored Emergency and Rescue Procedure Guidelines for the organization, as well as serving on the steering committee for National Congress on School Transportation .
The Early Bird Deadline ends on June 5, register now to save $100 on main conference registration. STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The conference will feature hands-on training classes, educational sessions, a dynamic keynote presentation, and networking opportunities. Register now at stnexpo.com/west.
The STN EXPO West conference is not only an educational experience, but the six-day conference features a variety of networking events that facilitate conversations and connections impacting the industry.
The conference opens Thursday, July 9 with a kickoff reception at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. EverDriven will co-sponsor the event with School Transportation News as attendees enjoy appetizers and beverages. This event allows attendees to begin networking and set the stage for an impactful experience over the course of the week.
Saturday night features the Welcome Party at EDGE Nightclub, a dynamic and exciting evening. Geotab and Transfinder will be sponsoring a “Great Gatsby” themed event with food, drinks and live entertainment. Attendees can mingle with outdoor fireside discussions or enjoy signature beverages in an environment that sets the energy for an impactful conference.
The unique networking experiences continue Sunday night with the Ride and Drive/Live Technology Demonstration. The evening event blends summertime themes with an ideal setting for student transportation professionals to test the latest electric, propane and low-emission school bus models as well as connect with vendors showcasing technology solutions. Our title sponsor for the Ride and Drive the Bus Technology Summit and Green Bus Summit event is RIDE. A full sponsor list can be found on the conference website.
Day 1 of the Wonderland of Ideas Trade Show begins Monday, July 13 with the Trade Show Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, sponsored by Safety Vision. Attendees will be ushered onto a uniquely enchanting trade show floor providing the perfect atmosphere to unwind, network, and foster meaningful relationships with peers and industry contacts.
On Day 2, the conversations continue with a three-hour Trade Show event that will allow attendees to meet manufacturers, OEMs and suppliers with the products and technology options that can improve efficiency and safety at transportation operations. Lunch will be served on the trade show floor. Find the full list of exhibitors.
If you are looking to take your student transportation operations and professional development to the next level, you will not want to miss STN EXPO West.
The Early Bird Deadline ends on June 5, register now to save $100 on main conference registration. STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The conference will feature hands-on training classes, educational sessions, a dynamic keynote presentation and networking opportunities. Register now at stnexpo.com/west.
The Bus Technology Summit and Green Bus Summit return to Reno, Nevada this July during the STN EXPO West conference.
The Bus Technology Summit begins Sunday, July 12 with live product labs presented by companies representing different facets of the student transportation space. Solutions include routing software, safety features, fleet optimization, student ridership, transportation communications and more. Attendees will select labs to attend based on operational needs and will interact with vendors to ask targeted questions and get a closer look at the technology solutions transforming the industry.
The Sunday labs will be presented by Transfinder, First Light Safety Products, Alpha Route, Geotab, Samsara, BusRight and Verra Mobility. Labs continue Monday, July 13 with SafeFleet, Tyler Technologies, School-Radio, CalAmp, Cummins/Accelera and HopSkipDrive.
Zonar CEO Charles Kriete will present a “CEO Talk” on Sunday morning to discuss the technology trends impacting the student transportation industry. The following morning, ZUM’s COO and co-founder Vivek Garg will present his “Tech Talk” to conference attendees.
Meanwhile, the Green Bus Summit will focus on green leadership that enables attendees to discover the latest advancements in sustainable transportation. A wide-range of speakers from OEMs, school districts using low-emission fuel options, and industry experts will share operational considerations, real-life experiences and tips to find the best fuel option for their operations. Sessions will be presented by Blue Bird, Thomas Built Buses, Micro Bird, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and IC Bus. The Green Bus Summit sessions will also be held on Sunday and Monday.
The two Summits meet for an immersive outdoor experience Sunday night at the STN EXPO West Ride and Drive/Live Technology Demo. Attendees will ride electric, propane and low-emission diesel school buses from Blue Bird, IC Bus, Micro Bird, RIDE and PERC. In addition, they will visit Zonar, Tyler Technologies, Transfinder and ZUM for more live product demos and networking with vendors for real-time discovery of solutions to take home to their districts.
The evening will include an energetic networking atmosphere with food and beverages, interactive games and a live DJ. Attendees will not only network with companies providing transportation solutions but meet other transportation professionals to have the conversations that are driving innovation in the industry.
Find the full conference agenda and registration details at stnexpo.com/west. STN EXPO West will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. The conference will feature hands-on training classes including the National School Bus Inspection Training Program, educational sessions, the Transportation Director Summit leadership event, the STN EXPO West Trade Show and other unique networking events.
We cover industry shoutouts, conference connections, a terrifying bus vs. train encounter and Diesel Emissions Reduction Act updates.
“One thing about transportation [is] it’s never boring.” Transportation Supervisor Melody Best offers a behind-the-scenes look at how operations are handled in Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Alaska amid adverse weather, multiple school closures, budget cuts, technology needs and even moose in the road. She also shares the benefits of participating in the STN EXPO East Mentorship Program in Charlotte, North Carolina last month.
Emergency response is non-negotiable safety and security training for student transportation professionals as they are the first line of defense in active-threat situations that take place on the school bus.
The “Elements of School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training” four-hour seminar on Friday, July 10 at STN EXPO West conference will be organized into four distinct sections. It begins with the doctrine of in loco parentis, Latin for “in the place of a parent,” the legal term for assuming the responsibility of a child or minor. In this instance, in loco parentis ensures safety through threat recognition as well as understanding physiological stress responses.
The second part moves to de-escalation training and crisis response, explaining how to address behavioral or emotional triggers with appropriate communication techniques to defuse the situation before it becomes physical.
The third section covers behavioral intelligence. Attendees will learn to train their school bus drivers to recognize their unique placement of observation of student behavior patterns and be alert to areas of concern before an incident occurs.
Part four of the seminar will shed light on quick-threat response, including emergency communication, scenario-based security training and defensive physical intervention.
Attendees will leave the seminar with a realistic and actionable plan to equip their school bus drivers and other student transportation staff with following legal protocol, recognizing warning signs and communicating them before incidents occur, and forming a structured response to cases of violence onboard the school bus.
Meet the Instructors Teach Active-Threat Response
The seminar is presented School Transportation Active Threat Response Training, or S.T.A.R.T., a program created by veteran Ohio law enforcement officers to train student transportation professionals in the school bus environment to be prepared for emergency situations. The lead presenters will be Jim Levine, founder of S.T.A.R.T., and John Zippay, S.T.A.R.T. co-founder and current program coordinator, along with Kevin Spackman, a S.T.A.R.T senior instructor, and Greg Truhan, former U.S. Secret Service special agent, and S.T.A.R.T program developer and senior training instructor.
All four of the instructors have extensive experience in law enforcement. Levine began his career at the Arlington County Police Department in Virginia and since then has served as a S.W.A.T. instructor as well as a field training officer, co-founded a global security organization near Washington D.C., is certified in active-shooter response techniques as well as through the Ohio Crime Prevention Association in the concepts of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) and Crisis Intervention Training. Zippay currently serves as full-time police officer for the South Russell Police Department in Ohio alongside Spackman and is also a member of the Ohio School Resource Association and a certified Crisis Intervention Team member.
Save $100 on main conference registration with Early Bird Savings when you act by June 5. The STN EXPO West conference will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. Updates to agenda and speaker lists can be found at stnexpo.com/west.
This year’s STN EXPO West keynote speaker plans to provide attendees the tools they need to cut through the noise and express their relevance in a way that stands out in the crowd.
National Speakers Association’s Speaker Hall of Fame member Bruce Turkel takes the stage in Reno, Nevada this summer at the STN EXPO West conference for student transportation professionals.
Turkel will first address transportation leaders at the Transportation Director Summit, an exclusive training at The Chateau at Incline Village at Lake Tahoe. The directors attending the exclusive training and networking leadership summit will gain insights from Turkel that they can use to instill trust throughout their organizations and how the values of honesty and integrity impact operations.
Clear Communication
Turkel’s July 13 keynote presentation “All About Them: The Power of Relentless Relevance” will bring a message to all conference attendees on how to position oneself in today’s society of instant informational access. In his high-energy presentation, Turkel plans to show attendees that just credentials may not be enough, but that connecting with stakeholders means showing them what you can do for them. Whether its customers or team members, this keynote will give attendees practical strategies to communicate clearly, relevantly and bring positive results.
Turkel’s unique musical talent will also be featured in an interactive exercise in the power of shared experience as attendees learn in minutes to play a song together. This unforgettable presentation will have attendees not only connecting through laughter but have a renewed confidence to update their communication style with necessary clarity and have a customer-centered framework that boosts success for their operations.
Turkel has been in the brand clarity field for over 30 years, running his own global branding firm. His specialty has been how to stand out in a competitive market, having worked with brands like American Express, Nike, Discovery and HBO. He wrote seven books, appeared on national tv news channels and in major publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Save $100 on main conference registration with Early Bird Savings when you act by June 5. The STN EXPO West conference will be held July 9-15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. Updates to agenda and speaker lists can be found at stnexpo.com/west.
CONCORD, N.C. – The Green Bus Summit at STN EXPO East featured school bus manufacturers discussing products, technology, innovations and support for school districts looking to run cleaner, safer and more efficient school bus operations.
Blue Bird: EV Myth vs. Reality: What’s Actually Driving Adoption?
“We’ve taken the lead on the EV side,” declared Brad Beauchamp, EV product segment leader for Blue Bird, reviewing how the company entered the field eight years ago.
Noelle White, channel partner marketing specialist for Blue Bird, led attendees through a gamified quiz on common electric school bus myths.
Attendees correctly identified answers to questions such as what regenerative braking does (charges the battery while slowing), time required for infrastructure upgrades (six to 18 months), and how much of a total EV project cost is tied to infrastructure (25 to 40 percent).
Although cold weather reduces electric school bus range by 10 to 30 percent, Beauchamp noted that technology advances and operational techniques allow for improvements in this area.
Level 1 chargers are commonly used by most districts today, but Beauchamp recommended Level 2 chargers, which he said are best for overnight charging.
Infrastructure readiness most commonly delays electric school bus projects since the work “doesn’t stop on the first wave of buses,” Beauchamp cautioned.
Operational planning significantly shifts during the move from diesel to electric due to routes and weather, to name a few factors, Beauchamp reminded attendees.
“As you start to use [electric school buses], there is a learning curve,” he said. “On the great side for EV, a lot of things can be corrected without even leaving your yard.”
Viewing electric bus deployment as equivalent to a straightforward vehicle purchase is a common pitfall, explained Beauchamp. Instead, he said districts must consider infrastructure, utilities, load planning and route modeling early in the process. He added that data gathered from onboard telematics helps transportation directors in this crucial planning phase.
“It’s going to take a team,” he said, especially as not all aspects of electric school bus implementation happen sequentially.
In fact, the bus purchase from the OEM is “the easy part,” he quipped.
“Eighty percent of routes in the U.S. can be covered with an EV,” Beauchamp continued.
He advised putting an electric school bus on shorter routes until success is achieved, and then operations can branch out.
“Figure out what your long-term strategy will be,” he said.
When districts purchase an electric school bus with federal funds, they are required to decommission and scrap an old diesel bus rather than keep it as a spare, Beauchamp cautioned. He advised planning for scalability, not simply pilot projects.
Lastly, he reviewed EPA Clean School Bus program updates, noting that state and local funding opportunities also help keep electric school bus projects afloat. He advised performing preventative maintenance on both the bus and charger.
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Brad Beauchamp, EV product segment leader for Blue Bird, speaks at STN EXPO East 2026.
IC Bus: Leveraging Technology Solutions for Efficient Fleet Management
Matt Milewski, market segmentation director for IC Bus, reviewed how First Student announced last September that it was outfitting its fleet of 46,000 school buses with Samsara technology.
Jason Kierna, vice president of information technology for First Student, spoke to the company’s customer-focused motivation rather than just adding technology for its own sake.
“We’ve got thousands of customers and all of them want to use technology in a different way and that’s why it’s more about the process for us than it is about the technology,” he said.
He explained how the new AI-powered HALO offering combines vehicle inspections, driver coaching, AI cameras, predictive analytics, and more to improve safety for students and transparency for parents.
“Parents today are expecting more objective evidence when incidents occur,” agreed Scott Jobe, head of public sector strategists for Samsara.
He noted that AI is “maybe not the best when you deal with human interaction or conversation, but when it comes to objectivity, we think of AI as like a force multiplier.”
Kierna elaborated that hazard alerts or safety behavior remediation that HALO provides, can help school bus drivers proactively self-correct so a reactive supervisor conversation is unneeded. He added that some First Student drivers now refuse to drive a bus without the technology.
Kierna related an incident in which a bus was struck at over 60 mph and said the driver would have been injured if she had not been wearing her seatbelt, which she had just put on properly due to the AI powered camera’s alert. Jobe added that another district saw a reduction in risky behaviors by drivers, illegal passing incidents, bus crashes and maintenance costs due to the AI technology.
“What does safety mean to your organization?” Kierna rhetorically asked the audience.
Milewski emphasized IC Bus’ support for what Jobe termed a “frictionless experience” in technology integration for school district and bus contractor clients. Kierna reiterated the commitment of all three companies to overall safety for students.
Kierna underscored that empowering drivers and lobbying for safety initiatives are two of the many aspects that are directly related to the effective gathering and leveraging of data.
“Integrated technology is the future,” Jobe agreed. He shared a pothole detection feature in development, in which information gathered via onboard cameras, bus location and G-forces the bus undergoes can be sent directly to cities for repair escalation.
“We have so much data that we can turn into real actionable insights,” he said.
In answer to an attendee question on staff who may struggle with technology, Kierna said the AI assistant helps put things in plain language for users.
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Matt Milewski, market segmentation director for IC Bus.
Jason Kierna, vice president of information technology for First Student.
Thomas Built Bus: Let’s Talk Fuels – What Legislative Uncertainty Means for School Transportation
Mark Childers, direct sales and technology sales manager for Thomas Built Buses, reviewed current challenges and uncertainty surrounding fuel choice. “You’ve got to make some decisions,” he said.
“Where we stand today is that in 2027 all of the manufacturers are subject to EPA’s low NOx rule, so that is the new multi-pollutant criteria rule that’s going to deal with NOx and particulate matter that is coming in 2027,” explained Alissa Rector, policy advisor for Thomas Built Buses parent company Daimler Trucks North America. “Even though EPA’s greenhouse gas regulations have been rolled back in 2027, we are still subject to the existing greenhouse gas phase 2 standard at [the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration] NHTSA so there’s not a lot of change that you’re going to see on the greenhouse gas side compared to where we are today.”
Jim Ellis, director of pupil transportation for Henrico County Public Schools in Virginia, has 600 school buses and is receiving 25 electric buses in July. When managing his bus fleet, he said he must balance getting the best bang for his buck with environmental concerns for cleaner air.
“I think that the key lesson is to just know change is going to continue to happen and just continue to take one step at a time,” declared Brittany Barrett, deputy director of operations and implementation for the World Resources Institute. She advised staying on top of fleet data, so it is easier to pivot and make decisions.
Rector discussed the differences between local pollutants like NOx, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter, as opposed to greenhouse gases like carbon and CO2 which enter the atmosphere.
Whitney Kopanko, vice president of school bus sales and marketing for Sonny Merryman, noted that the Thomas Built Buses Virginia dealer has put 300 electric school buses on the road. She spoke to dovetailing student transporter priorities of getting students to and from schools with community and regulatory pressure for cleaner air.
She and Ellis agreed that it’s crucial to provide numbers and data to stakeholders during decision-making processes.
WRI provides helpful tools and resources, Barrett informed attendees. Kopanko added that AFLEET suite from the U.S. Department of Energy can be used to compare fuel types. Fuel choice is a hyper localized decision based on what each district needs, she stated.
Though most school buses currently run clean diesel and will continue to, Rector prognosticated that the future will be mixed fuels with interesting developments in hydrogen. “Any future roadmap is going to have a lot of different options on it,” she declared.
Diesel fuel doubling in price due to the war in Iran is currently juxtaposed with conversations on propane or electric implementation, said Ellis.
While changing fuels may look tempting, Kopanko advised considering availability of alternative or drop-in fuel, infrastructure needs, driver and mechanic training, and the extra accountability involved in abiding by rules for government subsidies.
Barrett said electric buses have the range to meet 90 percent of the routing requirements for districts she works with, but infrastructure is the biggest question mark. “It’s not insurmountable but it requires a plan,” she said.
She praised Sonny Merryman’s electrification project with Dominion Energy in Virginia.
Panelists advised working closely with dealers, gathering all available fleet operation data, considering urban versus rural needs to determine what type of bus goes where, taking part in vigorous training and education, and keeping abreast of the rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
They also answered questions from attendees on electric school bus range, charging time, battery degradation and V2G.
(Left to right) Alissa Rector, policy advisor for Daimler Trucks North America, and Brittany Barrett, deputy director of operations and implementation for the World Resources Institute, speak at STN EXPO East 2026.
Tony and Taylor review the most compelling takeaways from STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina this past week. From rock star leadership and workplace culture advice, to a bus mirror training that went viral, to the latest in cutting edge tech shown on the Trade Show floor, attendees and vendors connected in meaningful ways.
Last year, bus window and glass provider Lippert acquired seating supplier Freedman Seating and HVAC manufacturer Trans/Air. Dan Cohen, vice president of sales for Lippert’s transportation products group, and Austin Lehnert, regional sales manager for Trans/Air by Lippert, join us to share new safety technology innovations.
Christopher Faust, transportation director for Sangamon Valley CUSD #9 in Illinois and John Daniels, vice president of marketing for Transfinder, discuss utilizing multiple “finder” technologies to assist in operational and procurement challenges at the district.
They also share how and why to participate in the Top Transportation Teams challenge, which is led by Transfinder and currently accepting signups.
Marty Savino, national account manager for School-Radio, explains communications upgrades that districts can make for increased safety and security during incidents like school shootings.
Michelle Summers, assistant director of transportation for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District in Texas, discusses the value of coming to conferences and participating in the inaugural STN Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program, as well as superintendent relationships and technology upgrades.
CONCORD, N.C. – An STN EXPO East panel of student transporters shared how utilizing Transfinder’s technology suite has made their school bus operations safer and more efficient.
Improving Efficiency
Edgar Franco, assistant transportation director for Modesto City Schools in California, stated that technology has assisted with internal digitization, timeliness and streamlining communication between schools and the transportation department.
Christopher Faust, transportation director for Sangamon Valley Community Unit School District #9 in Illinois, noted that a district does not need to use Transfinder’s entire product suite since the Routefinder Plus routing software alone is powerful and convenient to also rapidly send parents relevant messages, as an example.
Kathleen Guarini, transportation coordinator for Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, and Elizabeth Cannata, supervisor of transportation for Haverhill Public Schools in Massachusetts, both agreed that a tech portal also eases the difficulties of driver shortages and substitutions. Guarini advised rolling out a tech stack slowly, so staff does not get overwhelmed and become averse to future integrations.
Enhancing Safety, Accountability
“In an emergency situation, you need fast access to the data at your fingertips, and that’s what having an all-in-one platform is going to allow you to do,” stated panel facilitator and Transfinder Sales Engineer Shea Marstaller.
Cannata utilizes student RFID cards, which she said have been able to prevent lost-child debacles involving police and helicopters.
To help parents adopt the Stopfinder parent app, Franco advised “building a community, getting it out there and showing them [its] value.”
Guarini said Stopfinder has “been hugely impactful” especially during the first few weeks of school startup. She noted her eight dispatchers were spared having to field calls from parents of the 60,000-strong student population.
She also shared how the driver app Wayfinder provides directions via tablets which is much safer than drivers “searching for a piece of paper or dropping it, tucking it under [their] thigh while [they’re] trying to make the turns, so [they] can use two hands on the wheel.”
Leveraging Data, Statistics
Cannata noted a key performance indicator of the software is that it can show gaps in driver schedules, so one who is free can pick up a student who missed the bus and get them to school.
Guarini said that Transfinder’s team was able to find additional efficiencies when her district went from a three-tiered bell system to a five-tiered bell system. Additionally, she said she uses Formfinder for a special needs application that has saved her staff the workload of transferring 400 columns of data nightly for 3,000 students.
Franco stressed the importance of bringing in clean data to avoid messy problems down the road.
Cannata added that the technology assists with special needs routes.
“We have to separate who requires specialized transportation and what that specialized transportation is — be it a wheelchair, a 1-to-1 monitor, and anything like that,” she explained. “We have to have that inside of our end of year report and I’m able to simply filter, edit and I can get it within minutes. Pull my end of year report. It’s saved me from hours of going through each route individually to check.”
Rick Walterscheid, who spent 25 years as a transportation director and is now a sales executive with Transfinder, said using ServiceFinder in his district operations gave him actionable data for bus repairs and replacement cycles.
“What this enabled me to do was to put evidence into what I already knew because I kept the records,” he stated.
Since school bus drivers on the roads everyday may have suggestions on route improvements, Franco said he layers planned routes and bus GPS data to compare them and determine if there is a way to optimize that route. Digitization has helped simplify things when drivers bring in notes on how their routes could be better, Guarini concurred.
With older drivers who may be hesitant to adopt new tech, Cannata advised providing copious training and having tech-savvy drivers assist if possible.
Franco agreed that identifying and empowering tech-forward leaders among drivers and technicians is crucial. He also confirmed that Transfinder’s tablet system is easy and intuitive for those less tech-friendly drivers.
While Transfinder offers multiple products, Faust advised student transporters to “take what works for you.”
“I love all of the features that Transfinder offers, but I feel like you need to identify which are the most important, which are the immediate needs for your division and start chipping away as you can manage,” agreed Guarini.
Looking Forward to the Future
Faust said he looks forward to AI integrations which can save time by answering conversationally spoken questions rather than requiring staff to manually seek out information.
Franco praised Servicefinder’s assistance in keeping track of white fleet vehicles that need repairs and getting that information to technicians in a timely manner.
“We’re all being asked to do more with less, right?” Marstaller commented.
“Being in a small district, we have to be as efficient as possible,” Faust agreed.
“Everybody’s afraid to change from what you know,” Guarini said. “The benefit of doing that, though, gives you a fresh mindset.”
Appreciating Customer Service
Cannata and Franco praised the clear and streamlined customer service Transfinder provides.
“Instantly, like within like an hour – not even, sometimes – it’s instantly quick, but we have an answer. We got it fixed,” Cannata declared.
“We all feel supported by Transfinder with anything we need help with,” Guarini confirmed.
Faust noted that having one vendor for the whole tech stack makes troubleshooting much easier.
All four panelists said they used the Transfinder Community feature through which their peers and fellow users help them better utilize the technology.
CONCORD, N.C. – Student transporters took part in a Trade Show + Networking Pit Stop Reception on Monday evening, where the thrill of NASCAR met the excitement of connection. They engaged with eighty vendor companies, informative exhibits and dynamic networking opportunities on the Trade Show floor while enjoying Southern comfort food and drinks.
As we navigate through 2026, school transportation professionals face an evolving landscape marked by staffing shortages, the accelerated shift toward zero-emission fleets, heightened student safety challenges, and increasingly complex demands from parents, local government and school executives.
Attending industry conferences has never been more essential. These state, regional and national events bring together dedicated peers to exchange innovative ideas, forge lasting networks, reconnect with trusted partners and colleagues, and commit to meaningful professional growth. The practical, actionable insights shared by expert presenters, panelists and fellow attendees translate directly into safer routes, more efficient operations and improved experiences for the students we serve every day.
“The chance to gain inspiration, motivation and network with other successful school transportation operators is a big factor in why I attend conferences like STN EXPO,” said Brooke Millar, president at 4 Seasons Transportation. Her words resonate deeply in an industry where burnout and rapid change can challenge even the most committed leaders.
“Professional development at conferences provides a nice break from daily routines to focus on my personal growth, fostering innovation and identifying knowledge gaps,” she added.
Attending industry conferences can deliver profound, multifaceted benefits. Participants draw fresh inspiration and renewed motivation from accomplished leaders who have overcome similar obstacles. They sharpen critical skills through in-depth educational sessions exploring emerging trends, regulatory updates and proven best practices. Powerful keynote presentations and interactive workshops help cultivate a resilient growth mindset, boosting confidence in tackling ambitious goals.
Beyond the classroom sessions, networking opportunities enable professionals to crowdsource real-time solutions to pressing challenges, spark collaborations across districts and states and open doors to new career advancements or operational efficiencies. The expansive trade shows connect attendees directly with cutting-edge technology, vehicles and products designed to address core priorities such as fleet optimization, advanced safety systems, driver retention strategies, procurement, and specialized transportation for students with disabilities and special needs.
Events like STN EXPO stand out for their comprehensive educational programming, including specialized deep dives into niche topics. The Transportation Director Summit offers exclusive leadership training, while creating opportunities to connect with peers, key business partners and OEMs. The Bus Technology Summit offers the opportunity to experience live technology demonstrations and to compare solutions from business partners. The Green Bus Summit delivers compelling success stories and conversations from fleet decision makers that have invested in a sustainable future. These targeted tracks provide focused education, hands-on skill development and invaluable connections with like-minded professionals.
Meanwhile, the trade show floor and evening networking receptions create an energetic environment for exploring innovative solutions, testing new equipment and building potential vendor partnerships that can transform district operations.
Our most recent attendee surveys continue to highlight professional development and networking as the primary reasons professionals invest their time in these gatherings.
Engaging peers, industry experts, suppliers, school bus dealers, and OEMs provides a unique forum for market research, product comparisons and honest discussions about what truly works in the field. Whether you’re seeking solutions for sustainable fleets, enhanced security measures, comprehensive driver training programs, or inclusive special needs transportation, the trade show serves as a one-stop resource for discovering partners that align with your district’s specific needs and budget.
In an era of tight budgets and high stakes, investing time in these events yields measurable, lasting returns: Enhanced knowledge that informs better decisions, stronger professional networks that provide ongoing support, renewed motivation to lead through challenges, and direct access to innovations that elevate safety and efficiency. Look for hands-on workshops, certifications and powerful keynotes from leaders with a focus on leadership, technology and green fleets.
Conferences are a catalyst for excellence and truly time well spent. I personally invite you to experience STN EXPO East March 26–31 and STN EXPO West July 9–15 firsthand and see the impact for yourself. Registration is open now at stnexpo.com.
It’s time to invest in leadership for you and your team. I look forward to seeing you soon and hearing about the ideas you’ll bring back to drive success.
Editor’s Note: As reprinted from the March 2026 issue of School Transportation News.
CONCORD, N.C. – After a day of Bus Technology Summit and Green Bus Summit sessions, Sunday was capped off with a high-energy, racing-inspired Technology Demonstrations and Ride & Drive + Reception held in the NASCAR Cup Series Garage and the Quarter-Mile Oval Track at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Attendees enjoyed a lively networking reception featuring dinner, drinks and entertainment.
CONCORD, N.C. – Sunday featured themed sessions as part of the Bus Technology Summit and Green Bus Summit at STN EXPO East. Vendor and supplier companies presented live or hands-on demonstrations of their technology suites, products and service offerings, as well as panel discussions on cleaner school bus options.
Afternoon sessions covered first-responder coordination, school bus attendants, streamlining team communication, and NHTSA’s latest research on illegal passing.
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Anthony Jackson, transportation director for Bibb County School District in Georgia, speaks at STN EXPO East 2026.
CONCORD, N.C. – A Green Bus Summit panel during STN EXPO East discussed real-world examples and implementation tips for propane autogas in a school bus operation.
Blue Bird’s Steven Whaley, alternative fuels manager for the school bus manufacturer, first reviewed the company’s diesel, gasoline, propane and electric school bus options as well as deployment numbers, pricing comparison and clean energy statistics.
Propane, he said during Sunday’s Lunch and Learn session, has a low carbon intensity footprint, is safe enough to use for cooking and is domestically produced. Blue Bird’s propane bus, he specified, was certified to an ultra-low NOx emissions level. He added that propane buses are suited for both rural and urban settings, plus their quiet operation means students arrive at school calmer.
“The [propane] fuel system itself is very simple, integrates seamlessly just like your diesel technology does,” explained Tom Hopkins, a former Detroit-area fleet manager and current business development manager for Blue Bird’s propane school bus powertrain partner ROUSH CleanTech.
He reviewed the technical specifications of the Ford 7.3L engine powering Blue Bird’s Type C Vision bus and the complimentary training offered to operators.
Bibb County School District in Georgia started using propane school buses in 2014. Transportation Director Anthony Jackson said he was initially skeptical. Seventy percent of his 213 buses are now powered by propane, and he reported savings both at the fuel pump and maintenance costs. Propane saves him a combined 50 cents per mile over diesel, he added.
That equals a savings of $1 million dollars per year, Whaley pointed out. “These are numbers that folks just can’t ignore anymore,” he said.
Declared Jackson, “I can’t see myself venturing back to the diesel side of this because of what I’ve been able to see and what we’ve been able to realize with the propane application.”
He said once his drivers were trained on fueling, they readily accepted propane, which performs better during colder weather than diesel. Additionally, he verified that his mechanics are “ecstatic” that the propane buses are cleaner and easier to work with.
“We will do everything as a propane industry that we can … to set up your fueling for you,” confirmed Monte McLeod, account manager for Sharp Energy and representative for session sponsor Southeast Propane Alliance.
Temporary propane fueling options include a delivery driver who individually fuels the buses, or mobile trailer units parked on site. McLeod reviewed permanent fuel infrastructure where setup, permits and training are generally free to the district.
McLeod said personal protective equipment is not needed when drivers fuel propane school buses since it is “a clean, simple operation that anyone can do.” Whaley noted that the EPA does not even regulate propane seepage since it is not carcinogenic and simply evaporates into the air, in contrast to soil contamination that occurs with diesel leaks.
“There’s a number of redundant systems in place to make sure that this is the safest fuel that you can possibly put in your bus,” McLeod stated.
When school buses are on the road, Whaley noted, they can use an alternative fuel station locator via an app provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Jackson shared that his diesel prices doubled due to the Iran war, but his propane price recently fell. “The more you use, the less it is,” McLeod agreed.
“Get behind the wheel and drive it,” Jackson advised in response to an attendee question on staff buy-in before implementation.
Hopkins pointed out that there were several transportation leaders in attendance from school districts currently running propane buses. He suggested districts considering propane should “get their raw unfiltered feedback.”
CONCORD, N.C. — Keynote speaker and best-selling author Jim Knight led the second day of the Transportation Director Summit at Topgolf Charlotte – Southwest, using the visceral backdrop of Rock ‘n Roll and several well-known brands, including Hard Rock International via his 21-year run with that brand as the head of Global Training & Development to discuss key strategies to transform any organization’s culture, regardless of the company’s cultural history or status.
Also offsite at Charlotte–Mecklenburg Schools, the National School Bus Inspection Training Program continued with hands-on identification of defects in the engine compartment, throughout the chassis, and inside the driver and passenger compartments, with participants able to compete for time and accuracy.
Transfinder led a special training on improving technician workflow and shop organization while Denise Donaldson taught on child safety restraint system use in school buses versus alternative transportation vehicles and Dave McDonald’s training covered proper mirror adjustment and distracted driving.
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