(STN Podcast E331) Onsite at TSD Conference: Safety-Conscious, Budget-Friendly Transportation Tech

By: Claudia Newton

10 November 2026 at 22:15

David Weber, business development manager for School Radio, explains how school districts can leverage the safety and efficiency benefits of cost-effective bus radio technology when transporting students with special needs.

As student transporters struggle with rising diesel fuel costs, Blue Bird’s Alternative Fuels Manager Stephen Whaley shares how propane school buses provide a reliable, environmental and budget-friendly option.

Steven Wenger, OEM business development manager for Brigade Electronics, spotlights AI-powered pedestrian recognition technology tailored for student safety around the school bus.

Jennifer Gardella, director of transportation for Rockwall Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, discusses leveraging the Transfinder technology stack and optimizing operations to increase safety and efficiency amid budgetary challenges.

Expert Shares Importance of Nervous System Regulation in Student Transportation

School Transportation News

By: Cooper Hannon

10 November 2026 at 08:00

FRISCO, Texas – Kellie Doyle Bailey, author and creator of “It Takes a Calm Brain to Calm a Brain,” spoke about the importance of nervous system regulation and human connection during her session at the TSD Conference.

“When we make a human connection, something happens to our nervous system,” Doyle Bailey said Monday. “That’s what we want with our students. To them to know they matter, they belong.”

Doyle Bailey, who is also a trauma-informed speech-language pathologist, mindfulness educator, and emotional intelligence coach, explained that everyone’s nervous system influences how people think, feel, communicate and connect with others. She reminded attendees that not everyone in the audience grew up with the same experiences or in the same environment. Those differences can influence how an individual’s nervous system is wired and how they respond to situations.

She emphasized that understanding those differences is important when working with students, as adults cannot always know what a child is experiencing just by observing their behavior.

“We just don’t know until we truly see humans,” Doyle Bailey said. “Until then, we will just make up narratives.”

Doyle Bailey connected these ideas to her own childhood experiences, sharing the impact her school bus driver, Bud, had on her throughout her grade school years. Having the same driver pick her up each day provided a sense of familiarity and security. However, when Bud was not there, that sense of safety was no longer the same.

“When we feel certainty, we feel safe,” she said.

Her experience emphasized how something as simple as having a familiar face greet students each morning can make a difference in how safe and comfortable they feel. For some students, their bus driver may be one of the consistent relationships they rely on throughout the school year.

However, building those meaningful relationships with students also starts with the adults themselves. Doyle Bailey emphasized that transportation professionals must first understand and regulate their own emotions before they can help students do the same.

Tisha Austin, assistant director for Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, reinforced this point. “We need to regulate ourselves before we help others regulate,” she added.

To put her session into practice, Doyle Bailey gave attendees an opportunity to regulate their own nervous systems through a 30-second breathing exercise. She asked everyone to stop what they were doing, close their eyes, take a few deep breaths and relax their muscles and jaw while setting aside thoughts about work or other distractions. The exercise tied into Doyle Bailey’s discussion about how often minds wander.

“In a neurotypical brain, 47 percent of the time when we are awake, we are not present in our lives,” Doyle Bailey said. “The mind and brain are separate entities.”

For school bus drivers and attendants, this is especially important to consider. With students on board and the responsibility of safely navigating the road, being present and aware of their surroundings is essential.

Without self-regulation, individuals can go from feeling calm and cool to feeling uneasy and on alert, which can eventually lead to ‘flipping their lid’ and becoming overwhelmed.

Adding to the importance of maintaining a calm brain, Doyle Bailey said, “When we notice and regulate our own nervous system, we become a steadying presence for the students we support.”

That message resonated with Jeannie Storm, SPED operations specialist for Spotsylvania County Schools in Virgina. She reflected on the importance of recognizing her own emotional state before interacting with students.

“This helped me understand,” Storm said. “Check out yourself first, before meeting with your children.”

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Students with Disabilities Must Remain at Center of Decision-Making, Advises Expert

School Transportation News

By: Taylor Ekbatani

9 November 2026 at 23:03

FRISCO, Texas — Despite uncertainty surrounding federal restructuring and funding, former federal special education official Glenna Wright-Gallo reminded TSD Conference that the responsibility of transporting students with disabilities remains the same: “We do what’s right for kids.”

Wright-Gallo, the current vice president of policy for Everway and former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), gave the opening keynote Monday, “When the Floor Moves: Navigating Federal Restructuring, Flexible Funding and Legal Obligations in Transporting Students with Disabilities.” With it, she examined how federal restructuring, staffing shortages and rising transportation costs are creating new challenges for school districts. However, she stressed that evolving administrative systems do not eliminate districts’ responsibilities to students.

“What hasn’t changed, though, is the entitlement that students have to services, whether it’s (Free and Appropriate Public Education or FAPE) and an [individualized education program or IEP], whether it has to do with their homelessness and their school of origin rights and services at no cost to the family,” said Wright-Gallo, who also previously served as state director of special education in Utah and the associate superintendent of special education in Washington state.

Breaking Down Departmental Silos

Wright-Gallo opened her presentation with a revealing question: How many transportation professionals had recently spoken with their district’s Title I coordinator about transportation? Only about three or four attendees raised their hands.

When she asked about communication with special education directors, approximately half the room responded. The informal hand-raising survey highlighted a disconnect that Wright-Gallo said school district transportation departments can no longer afford to overlook.

School districts traditionally operate within departmental silos, with transportation, special education, federal programs and finance departments managing separate budgets and responsibilities. Yet the needs of students frequently intersect across multiple programs.

For example, a student with an IEP may also qualify for Title I services or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Addressing those needs independently can result in missed funding opportunities and duplicated services.

Wright-Gallo encouraged transportation directors to identify additional partners when operational challenges arise instead of relying exclusively on existing resources.

Staffing Shortages and Rising Costs

The need for collaboration becomes increasingly urgent as transportation departments navigate staffing shortages and growing operating expenses. Citing a recent HopSkipDrive survey, Wright-Gallo shared that 71 percent of school districts experienced operational consequences from driver shortages. Additionally, 46 percent reported longer ride times, 30 percent canceled or consolidated routes and 23 percent lost transportation for extracurricular activities, field trips or athletics.

These challenges raise concerns about how districts prioritize services, particularly when students with disabilities depend on specialized transportation to access their education. During an audience discussion, attendees shared strategies for minimizing disruptions. One participant explained that their district would implement multiple runs on general education routes before reducing transportation for students with disabilities. Another described using CDL-qualified office personnel, dispatchers and trainers to fill staffing gaps.

However, another attendee noted that unexpected shortages sometimes make it more practical to delay a special education route rather than leave other students waiting at bus stops without supervision.

Financial pressures further complicate those decisions.

Referencing a statement made by consultant Tim Ammon during a funding cliff session at STN EXPO East in March, Wright-Gallo emphasized that flat funding coupled with increasing expenses effectively represents a budget cut. With fuel, insurance, wages and replacement parts continuing to become more expensive, she encouraged districts to examine efficiencies, alternative service models and additional funding streams.

Federal Restructuring Creates New Questions

Beyond everyday operational challenges, Wright-Gallo addressed federal restructuring efforts that have shifted certain education-related administrative responsibilities across agencies.

She discussed interagency agreements involving the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Justice, and the potential implications for funding administration, technical assistance and oversight.

While changes to administrative responsibilities may affect how school districts communicate with federal agencies or access reimbursements, Wright-Gallo emphasized that interagency agreements cannot independently rewrite statutory requirements.

She cautioned districts against making premature operational changes based solely on federal announcements, news coverage or speculation.

“Remember, anytime there’s an announcement or in the news, it’s not an instruction,” she said.

Instead, transportation administrators should review actual grant agreements, applicable legal requirements and official funding instructions before changing established services.

Wright-Gallo also raised concerns about potential reimbursement delays and administrative adjustments, including what she described as the “defend the spend” process associated with Health and Human Services. That process emphasizes providing documentation to substantiate reimbursement requests and demonstrate compliance.

With federal budget uncertainty continuing, she urged transportation officials to work proactively with finance departments and district leadership on contingency planning and family communication.

Her recommendations included maintaining updated agency contacts, following award instructions, preserving documentation, preparing for funding delays, distinguishing confirmed requirements from potential risks, and establishing regular reviews of funding and compliance procedures.

Finding Funding Beyond the Transportation Budget

One of Wright-Gallo’s recommendations was for transportation departments to look beyond traditional transportation funding sources.

She identified several programs that could potentially support eligible transportation activities, including Medicaid, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B funding, Title II-A, Title IV-A, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, vocational rehabilitation and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA).

For example, Wright-Gallo explained that certain Title-funded professional development opportunities could potentially include transportation personnel when training supports the program’s educational objectives.

Trauma-informed practices, child sexual abuse prevention training, assistive technology and student safety were among the areas she encouraged districts to explore with their Title coordinators. She said this ensures transportation staff are included when shared student needs warrant their participation.

Travel training, which TSD Conference covered with a breakout session Monday, can help students develop the skills necessary to navigate transportation systems beyond graduation.

Wright-Gallo noted that vocational rehabilitation programs have federal spending requirements for certain services to transition-age students, presenting opportunities for partnerships that districts may be overlooking. She encouraged transportation directors to connect with career and technical education administrators and vocational rehabilitation agencies to identify opportunities for coordinated services.

On the fleet side, she discussed uncertainty surrounding EPA’s Clean School Bus Program and identified an anticipated $180 million DERA grant opportunity for diesel vehicle replacements and retrofits. She advised districts to monitor official announcements rather than build budgets around funding that has not yet been awarded.

Kendra Larsen, transportation router for Widefield School District 3 in Colorado, said the opportunities for funding that transportation is missing was a standout of Wright-Gallo’s presentation.

“The people we need to connect with, and say, ‘Hey, have you looked at this opportunity, can we get together and collaborate,’” Larsen said of additional takeaways. “Just the idea of building your community farther out than your transportation department.”

Connecting the IEP to the School Bus

Wright-Gallo also challenged transportation professionals to reconsider how student needs are documented and translated into daily operations. She pointed to IEPs that identify a student’s requirement for “special transportation” without detailing how transportation staff should provide the necessary support.

“Checking the box doesn’t change outcomes,” she said.

Instead, she encouraged transportation directors to work with special education teams to improve how transportation accommodations are determined and documented.

Those discussions should address whether specialized transportation is necessary, how behavioral intervention plans apply on the bus, what communication supports students require and whether assistive technology should accompany them during transportation.

A student who relies on an augmentative and alternative communication device in the classroom, for example, may also need that technology during the ride to and from school. Wright-Gallo emphasized that IEP teams should determine those needs and ensure transportation personnel understand how to safely support students using the equipment.

The same coordination should extend to student behavior, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and staff training.

Rather than conducting separate professional development for transportation employees and educators, Wright-Gallo encouraged districts to identify shared training opportunities that improve consistency between the classroom and the school bus.

Demonstrating Transportation’s Educational Impact

Ultimately, Wright-Gallo said transportation leaders must move beyond simply documenting compliance and begin demonstrating how their services contribute to student outcomes.

She referenced a 2024 Michigan study of economically disadvantaged elementary and middle school students that associated access to reliable transportation with a 3.8-percentage-point reduction in chronic absenteeism. The study did not establish a corresponding improvement in academic test scores, underscoring the need for additional research connecting transportation services with longer-term educational outcomes.

That distinction, she explained, is important when communicating funding needs to district leadership and policymakers. Rather than solely requesting additional resources, transportation departments should demonstrate how funding would improve service delivery, student attendance, independence or access to educational opportunities.

Olivia Malone, director of transportation for Olathe Public Schools in Kansas, said she appreciated the presentation and especially the options for additional funding and connectivity.

“I’m excited to go back and talk to individuals about how they are accessing these funds and how they are being utilized throughout our programs,” she said.

As the keynote concluded, Wright-Gallo asked attendees to identify one person they needed to connect with upon returning to their districts, whether a special education director, Title I coordinator, CTE administrator, superintendent or another potential partner.

“Our funding and our partners might have changed slightly, but the real work that we do every day, that you do every day and that you lead every day, has not changed,” Wright-Gallo concluded. “Ultimately, this comes back to we do what’s right for kids, right?”

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TSD Conference Honors Linda Bluth with Lifetime Achievement Award

School Transportation News

By: Ryan Gray

9 November 2026 at 20:28

FRISCO, Texas — Following a tenured faculty general session panel representing more than 200 years of experience in special education and student transportation, Linda Bluth received a lifetime achievement award from School Transportation News during the Transporting Students with Disabilities (TSD) and Special Needs National Conference.

The session, “What to Do When Your Supervisor Asks You to Do Something You Know Is Incorrect,” brought together experienced educators and transportation professionals to discuss navigating difficult workplace decisions. Panelists were praised for sharing their knowledge with conference attendees, described as future leaders in the field.

Bluth accounts for 61 of the years represented by the panel, which she moderated based on a column she wrote of the same name published in the October edition of STN magazine.

Bluth keynoted the inaugural TSD Conference in 1992 and became one of the first tenured faculty experts added by then owner Roseann Schwaderer. But Bluth’s experience in special education dates to 1965, 10 years before Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which in 1990 was reauthorized as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

She graduated from the College of Emporia in Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in psychology, then she obtained her master’s degree in psychology with a major in tests and measurements and a minor in mental retardation. Bluth earned her doctorate in education from the University of Illinois at Champaign and its Department of Special Education with a major in mental retardation and emotional disturbances and a minor in learning disabilities.

Her first five professional years took place in special education classrooms as a teacher in Ohio and New York. In 1970, she transitioned to college instruction at Parkland Junior College’s Department of Psychology in Champaign, Illinois. At the same time, she was the supervisor of student teachers in the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois. She later became an adjunct professor of special education at Ball State University, Alabama State University, the University of Alabama, Johns Hopkins University, and Coppin State University. She also was an assistant professor at the University of Maryland and Loyola College.

She also served as associate superintendent of Baltimore City Public Schools in Maryland before joining the Maryland State Department of Education, where she spent 20 years, most notably as chief of the agency’s special education and quality assurance office and later as a consultant. Bluth has also served as an expert witness dozens of cases involving the transportation of students with disabilities and as a consultant on over a dozen more state and national contracts for both the public and private sectors.

A regular speaker and trainer at state and national conferences up until the last several years, she became well known in student transportation circles as one part of the “dynamic duo” alongside special education attorney and fellow TSD Conference tenured faculty member Peggy Burns. STN co-founder Bill Paul introduced the two in the early 1990s, and Bluth and Burns became mainstays at STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada.

Prior to Friday’s award presentation, Burns joined Bluth as well as TSD Conference tenured faculty members Launi Harden, Alexandra Robinson and Sue Shutrump for the general session on how to respond when a supervisor directs you to do something illegal or improper.

In addition to the STN Lifetime Achievement Award, Bluth was inducted int the NAPT Hall of Fame in 2018, received the association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2000, and was chosen for the Q’Straint/Sure-Lok Special Needs Transportation Award in 2013. She’s received at least a dozen other awards from state governments and universities for her work.

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STN's Ryan Gray surprises Linda Bluth with her award.

Peggy Burns hugs Linda Bluth as Sue Shutrump, far left, and Launi Harden look on.

Linda Bluth speaks to the audience after accepting her award.

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Meeting Special Needs Transportation Challenges Beyond the Yellow Bus

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

9 November 2026 at 02:53

FRISCO, Texas – From rising special education demands to shrinking budgets to driver retention issues, school transportation experts at the TSD Conference discussed how stronger partnerships, better data and flexible transportation options can help districts safely serve students with disabilities.

“As many of you know, special needs transportation seems to ask more of districts than any other operation, from IEP coordination, to safety, training, recruiting and policy,” began Alex Muirbrook, regional and strategic sales director for session sponsor EverDriven.

Data Drives Transportation Funding

Allen Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, faces declining overall enrollment but increasing numbers of students with transportation as a related service called for on their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), explained Transportation Director Karol Day. She reported transporting approximately 450 students with transportation IEPs daily and said comparing several years of student data helped her avoid budget cuts despite growing service demands.

“We’re all constantly asked to cut budgets, but still keep doing what we’re doing successfully,” she said.

“Accurate data drives decisions that lead to solutions, right?” Muirbrook agreed, explaining that declining enrollment doesn’t necessarily mean declining transportation demand.

Glenna Wright-Gallo, vice president of policy for Everway and former assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, highlighted three federal policy developments: The upcoming Education Freedom Tax Credit, reduced federal monitoring that places greater responsibility on states and districts and opportunities to access additional funding.

Wright-Gallo encouraged transportation directors to engage special education administrators, federal programs directors and district financial leaders about Title II-A, Title IV-A, Medicaid reimbursement and travel training funding.

“We tend to highlight problems or problems are highlighted for us,” said the former associate superintendent for special education for Washington state and a former state director of special education for Utah. “But we forget to talk about where we’re seeing success, what’s going well.”

Consultant Launi Harden, retired director of transportation for Washington County School District in Utah and current executive director of the Florida Association for Pupil Transportation as well as TSD Conference faculty member, agreed. With alternative transportation becoming increasingly widespread, she urged districts to measure success by students transported safely and on time, rather than simply yellow buses arriving on schedule.

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IEP Collaboration and Student Safety

Day underscored the importance of building relationships with special education teams before IEP decisions create transportation challenges. Attending every meeting is impractical, she explained, but transportation leaders must communicate route limitations, travel times and operational capabilities beforehand.

“You have to get there before it happens,” Day advised.

Harden concurred that IEP teams make the final determination, but transportation professionals must contribute their safety expertise. She recommended bringing crash-test evidence, evacuation procedures and best practices into discussions, especially when students use alternative vehicles.

“We need to process differently than just our way we’ve always thought about things because our world is changing in front of us and it’s changing quickly,” she declared.

Wright-Gallo cautioned that IEPs simply assigning special transportation lack actionable information. She advised teams to specify behavioral considerations, communication needs, assistive technology, supervision and safety protocols so drivers and aides understand how to support each student.

She also encouraged periodic reviews of specialized transportation decisions to determine whether students could transition to conventional school buses when appropriate.

Training and Alternative Transportation Partnerships

To retain drivers and monitors amid staffing shortages, Day said she prioritizes providing appropriate equipment, training and ongoing support.

“When they feel supported, when they feel like I’m their champion and I’m getting them what they need, they tend to be able to go farther, do more,” she explained.

Day shared that her district’s special education staff, behavior specialists and case managers develop student-specific training. She preserves presentations and reference materials so existing employees can refresh their knowledge and new hires can access the same instruction.

For districts using third-party transportation providers, Harden emphasized that outsourcing doesn’t eliminate district responsibility for safety and compliance. She recommended involving partners in training, maintaining district standards and ensuring providers understand emergency evacuation techniques.

“You don’t lower your standards when you bring a partner in,” she stressed. “And the safety is priority.”

School districts should complete background checks, fingerprinting and other qualifications proactively, Day added, before they urgently need alternative transportation services. A suitable “essential partner” will identify gaps transportation managers might miss and help fill them, Wright-Gallo said.

Technology and Parent Communication

Parents increasingly expect cameras, GPS tracking and transportation visibility, Harden noted. Day cautioned that technology only helps when information is accurate and actionable.

“If you’re not utilizing it, it’s just noise,” she said.

Day explained that parents primarily want accurate vehicle identification, arrival information and someone to contact when problems arise. Harden also emphasized timely communication about nonverbal students’ needs, especially when transportation arrangements change.

Wright-Gallo encouraged leaders to understand what special education law permits rather than assuming every requirement is inflexible.

“A lot of times we think about the law and absolutes, and there’s really a lot of flexibility and allowability in there,” she explained.

Harden reminded attendees that disciplinary challenges don’t automatically eliminate a student’s federal entitlement to educational services or the need to arrange appropriate transportation.

Day closed by encouraging transportation directors to audit their tools and staff resources, as well as form relationships with special education teams, alternative providers and neighboring districts.

“Relationships, relationships, relationships,” she emphasized, adding that finding an appropriate transportation solution outside the traditional yellow bus doesn’t represent failure when it better meets a student’s needs.

Written with the assistance of AI and a live session transcript.

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TSD Conference Honors Florida’s Hill as 2026 Transportation Director of Year

School Transportation News

By: Taylor Ekbatani

8 November 2026 at 21:39

FRISCO, Texas — Laura Hill, general manager of transportation for Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida, accepted the 2026 School Transportation News Transportation Director of the Year Award at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference.

Hill was honored for her leadership in student transportation, which is more than managing school buses, routes and budgets. Instead, the qualities that stood out to STN and those that nominated her for the award consist of building relationships, empowering employees and ensuring every student feels safe.

Steven Whaley, director of alternative fuels for award sponsor Blue Bird, presented Hill with the honor during the event’s opening session, recognizing her 25-year career and dedication to the students, families and transportation professionals she serves.

Hill, who is featured on the cover of the November issue of School Transportation News magazine, began her career as a school bus driver while pursuing a teaching degree. Although she completed her degree, she never entered the classroom. Instead, she discovered a passion for student transportation that eventually led her to oversee one of the nation’s largest school district transportation operations.

The district that she grew up in. Today, she manages nearly 1,000 buses operating 800 routes, transporting approximately 80,000 students across Hillsborough County.

But Whaley emphasized on Sunday that Hill’s accomplishments extend far beyond operational statistics. Sharing an example of her personal commitment to students, Whaley recounted how Hill visited a bus stop after a second-grade student was mistakenly dropped off at the wrong location the day before. Rather than simply addressing the operational concern, Hill personally met the student the following afternoon and walked her home, helping restore the family’s confidence.

Along the way, Hill connected the student with another girl who had recently moved from the same town, helping both families feel welcome in their new community. Whaley noted that the moment illustrated how exceptional leadership is measured not only through operational improvements but also through the trust built with students and families.

When accepting the award, Hill redirected the recognition toward the employees, administrators and industry partners who support Hillsborough County Public School’s transportation operation.

“While my name might be on this award, I can assure you that it represents the hard work, dedication and commitment of an entire team,” Hill said, while also thanking the district’s school board, superintendent, and Deputy Superintendent Christopher Farkas for supporting transportation as an essential part of the educational system.

Hill also recognized the district’s vendor partners and the approximately 1,200 transportation professionals responsible for ensuring students arrive at school and return home safely.

“Every role matters in our organization, and every contribution makes a difference,” she said. “Over the years, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers or being the person who does everything. It’s about building relationships, surrounding yourself with talented people, trusting them, supporting them, and creating an environment where they can be successful.”

**Laura Hill (middle in black suit) accepted the Transportation Director of the Year award alongside her team at Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida.**

Hill thanked her husband and family for supporting her throughout a career that frequently extends beyond traditional working hours.

As the ceremony concluded, Hill reiterated that the recognition belonged to the entire Hillsborough County transportation team, whose dedication makes the district’s daily operations possible.

“One of the things I’m most proud of isn’t the number of buses we operate or the miles we travel. It’s the people behind the buses and the difference that they make in the students’ lives,” she said.

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Panelists Discuss National School Transportation Specifications, Safety Practices at TSD Conference

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

8 November 2026 at 21:27

FRISCO, Texas — Transportation professionals discussed how national school transportation specifications can help districts strengthen safety practices, improve staff training and address challenges involving students with disabilities and alternative transportation during a panel discussion at the TSD Conference in Frisco, Texas.

The session, “How Are You Using the National School Transportation Specifications?” moderated by Editor in Chief Ryan Gray of School Transportation News included panelists Joshua Hinerman of the Tennessee Department of Education, Teena Mitchell of Greenville County Schools in South Carolina, Kenny Mulder of Special School District in Missouri, and Megan Elsberry of Cleveland Independent School District in Texas.

The discussion examined revisions approved during the 17th National Congress on School Transportation (NCST) in May 2025 and how districts are applying the 18th National School Transportation Specifications & Procedures (NSTSP) held in May 2029.

Hinerman said Tennessee’s Department of Education and Safety, where he serves as state director of student transportation, agreed to adopt the updated specifications in their entirety as statewide best practice guidance rather than law. He explained that the document provides transportation supervisors with recommendations when state regulations offer limited direction.

That guidance has become increasingly relevant as districts turn to alternative transportation to serve students experiencing homelessness, those in foster care and students requiring specialized transportation arrangements.

Hinerman emphasized that districts remain responsible for student safety even when transportation services are contracted to outside providers. He identified driver qualifications, contractor oversight and student loading and unloading procedures as areas where additional guidance could help districts establish clearer expectations.

Mulder, the director of transportation for Special School District of St. Louis, offered an example of how those expectations are being applied. He said his district uses approximately 60 alternative transportation routes through four companies and includes requirements for driver licensing, motor vehicle record checks and criminal background checks in its requests for proposals.

Beyond alternative transportation, panelists addressed how the specifications can help districts make decisions involving specialized equipment and student safety.

Mitchell, the immediate past-president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation and special needs coordinator for Greenville County Public Schools, discussed extensive revisions to the section covering infants, toddlers and preschool children, including procedures for attendants during student pickup and drop-off, loading children in infant-only car seats and responding to medical emergencies.

She explained that the specifications can provide direction when districts encounter situations that are not clearly addressed by existing policies.

As an example, Mitchell described the challenges of purchasing buses with flexible seating arrangements to accommodate students using wheelchairs. She noted that transportation departments must carefully consider wheelchair placement to avoid obstructing emergency exits.

Wheelchair safety was also a focus for Elsberry, Cleveland ISD’s operations manager, who discussed updates to securement recommendations and questioned whether transportation teams receive sufficient training to properly secure students and their mobility equipment.

She emphasized the importance of providing drivers and attendants with clear guidance so they can consistently follow recommended securement procedures.

The conversation then turned to the responsibilities of school bus attendants, particularly when transporting students with disabilities.

Elsberry explained that attendants should receive training on the equipment used on buses and actively participate in supporting students rather than simply accompanying them during transportation. She also stressed the importance of considering each student’s individualized education program when determining transportation support.

Mitchell similarly raised concerns about inadequate attendant training and encouraged transportation personnel to use recommended practices to demonstrate the need for additional resources and support from district administrators.

The panel also examined differences between transportation requirements for Head Start programs and other preschool students. Elsberry emphasized the importance of training personnel to recognize when young children need appropriate safety restraint systems, regardless of differences in program requirements.

Looking ahead to the 18th NCST in 2029, Mitchell encouraged transportation professionals to participate in future revisions by working with writing committees, contacting state delegates, or identifying concerns that require additional guidance.

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TSD Keynote Highlights Legal Lessons for Special Needs Transportation

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

8 November 2026 at 03:29

FRISCO, Texas — A missed bus check, an improperly secured wheelchair or an unanswered bullying report can turn a routine transportation decision into a federal civil rights case, special education attorney Julie Weatherly said during “The Wheels of Justice: Important Case Law Impacting Transportation of Students with Disabilities” keynote address at the 2026 TSD Conference.

Her Saturday general session keynote at the event addressed monetary damages, student discipline, transportation as a related service, service animals, and other legal issues affecting students with disabilities.

Drawing on 40 years of experience in special education law, Weatherly reviewed court decisions and federal guidance to illustrate how transportation departments can better protect students and reduce legal risks.

Miriam Manary, lead research engineer at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, said Weatherly presented the complicated subject matter in a clear and practical way.

“I felt it was really fascinating to hear from somebody who’s seen a broad spectrum of issues surrounding the legality of IDEA,” Manary told School Transportation News. “She gave us some takeaways that we can really think about and incorporate into how we approach the problems.”

A major focus of the keynote was the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools. The case involved Ava Tharpe, a student with a severe form of epilepsy whose morning seizures prevented her from attending school until noon.

Tharpe’s family requested instruction later in the day to compensate for the school hours she could not attend. The district extended her day slightly but declined to provide all the requested services outside its usual schedule. Lower courts found that the shortened program did not provide Tharpe with an appropriate education based on her individual circumstances.

“When hearing officers and judges in special education situations hear the ‘we don’t do that here,’ it can be a death knell to the case,” Weatherly said. “The ‘I’ in IDEA means individualized.”

A separate portion of the case reached the Supreme Court after Tharpe’s family sought monetary damages under federal disability laws. The Supreme Court ruled that children bringing education-related discrimination claims cannot be required to meet a more demanding standard than other people filing similar disability claims.

Weatherly emphasized that the ruling did not award damages to Tharpe’s family or guarantee that other families will receive them. A family seeking money must still show more than a mistake, poor judgment or ordinary negligence. It generally must demonstrate that a district intentionally discriminated against or knew a student’s federally protected rights were likely being violated and failed to respond appropriately.

The case, Weatherly said, underscores the danger of basing decisions on staffing, scheduling or administrative convenience instead of a student’s documented needs.

Other cases Weatherly discussed illustrated the importance of preparing for emergencies and ensuring backup procedures are in place.

One case involved a student with a life-threatening dairy allergy. Her safety plan directed staff to take her immediately to the school nurse if she experienced a reaction, but the nurse was absent when the emergency occurred. The student later died.

“If it’s life-threatening, we should have had a plan for the safety plan,” Weatherly said, emphasizing the need to identify trained backup employees before an emergency occurs.

Weatherly also discussed cases involving children left aboard school buses, excessive force by employees, missing bus monitors and transportation practices that caused students with disabilities to lose instructional time. She urged employees to promptly report behavior or conditions that could endanger a student.

“See something, say something,” Weatherly told attendees. “Do not ever sweep anything under the rug.”

Bullying on a school bus can also become a disability rights matter. Weatherly said courts generally examine whether the harassment was related to the student’s disability, whether school officials knew about it and whether they responded appropriately.

A district is not automatically responsible every time bullying occurs, Weatherly explained. However, ignoring repeated reports or failing to investigate known misconduct can increase its potential liability. Prompt investigations, increased supervision, seating changes, and other preventive measures can demonstrate that a district took a complaint seriously.

Weatherly also examined disagreements among courts over how far transportation responsibilities extend beyond the school bus. In one case, a federal appeals court ruled that transportation services could include helping carry a non-ambulatory student between an inaccessible apartment and the school vehicle because the student otherwise could not attend school.

A New York federal court reached a different conclusion in a similar case, finding that federal law did not require a district to provide employees to carry students within their residences. Weatherly said conflicting decisions make it important for districts to consult legal counsel familiar with the requirements in their jurisdiction.

Service animals present another area in which districts should prepare before a request arises. Weatherly said schools can establish notification procedures, determine who is responsible for the animal, and teach employees and students not to distract it while it is working. Conflicting needs, such as another student’s serious allergy, should be addressed individually rather than through a blanket rule.

Weatherly acknowledged that staffing shortages make transportation services more difficult to deliver. Still, she said the absence of a driver, aide, nurse or other employee generally does not eliminate a district’s obligation to provide a required service.

The combination of legal guidance and practical transportation examples resonated with attendees. Sean Clore, director of transportation for Spotsylvania County Schools in Virginia, said the range and relevance of the issues made the keynote stand out.

“Personally, I think it was the best session I’ve attended so far,” Clore said following the session. “Her expertise and her knowledge are so relevant. She could have done one all day long.”

The post TSD Keynote Highlights Legal Lessons for Special Needs Transportation appeared first on School Transportation News.

Shared Services Offer Opportunities to Improve Efficiency, Accountability in Special Needs Transportation

School Transportation News

By: Taylor Ekbatani

8 November 2026 at 02:22

FRISCO, Texas — A Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs (TSD) Conference session highlighted the importance of collaboration, financial oversight and technology in delivering cost-effective student transportation services.

As school transportation departments face rising operational costs, staffing challenges and increasing demands for specialized services, finding opportunities to improve efficiency without compromising student safety remains a priority.

Betty Ressel, a certified public accountant with more than 30 years of experience conducting school district performance reviews, encouraged transportation professionals to rethink how they approach partnerships, contracts and financial resources.

Her session, “Efficiency Through Shared Services,” explored how collaboration among school districts, government agencies, contractors and internal departments can help transportation operations reduce expenses, identify additional revenue and improve services for students with disabilities.

Ressel emphasized that efficiency isn’t simply about cutting costs. Rather, it requires understanding where money is being spent, identifying opportunities for collaboration and ensuring that existing resources are being used effectively.

Collaboration Begins Within the District

One of Ressel’s central messages was the importance of communication between transportation departments and other decision-makers, particularly those involved in developing individualized education programs (IEPs).

She encouraged transportation leaders to seek representation on IEP teams to ensure that transportation decisions account for operational realities, including vehicle availability, road conditions, staffing and student safety.

Ressel advised getting involved with the IEP and ensuring that transportation has a voice. She suggested developing a reference guide outlining available transportation services and their associated costs. Such a resource could help administrators and IEP teams understand available options while supporting informed decisions about how to meet individual student needs.

Transportation departments should also explore opportunities to work with purchasing departments, accounting teams and other public agencies.

For example, partnerships with city or county governments could create opportunities for shared vehicle maintenance, inspections, fuel purchasing and staffing. Ressel noted that collaboration between government agencies may reduce duplication of services and eliminate certain administrative costs associated with outsourcing.

Identifying Revenue Opportunities

Beyond reducing expenses, Ressel encouraged attendees to examine whether their districts are maximizing available funding and reimbursement opportunities.

Medicaid reimbursement for eligible special education transportation services was a particular focus. She described districts serving approximately 20,000 students that had generated as much as $500,000 annually through Medicaid claims, illustrating the potential financial impact of properly documenting and seeking reimbursement for qualifying services.

However, she stressed that accessing these funds requires coordination among transportation, special education and accounting personnel as well as accurate service documentation.

Transportation leaders should understand their state Medicaid reimbursement requirements and work with district financial teams to determine whether eligible services are being claimed.

Ressel also encouraged districts to review state funding formulas and grant reimbursement processes, noting that requirements and opportunities vary by state.

Contracts Require More Than a Signature

Another major takeaway was the importance of clearly defined contracts and a memorandum of understanding when sharing or outsourcing transportation services.

Ressel cautioned that poorly documented agreements can create financial uncertainty, service gaps and liability concerns. Contracts should establish specific service expectations, billing requirements, staff qualifications, training obligations and procedures for monitoring contractor performance.

She emphasized that districts must actively verify whether contractors are delivering the services for which they are being paid. That includes reviewing invoices against actual transportation records and periodically auditing employee training documentation.

For students with disabilities, the stakes extend beyond finances. Ensuring drivers and monitors have received appropriate training is essential to maintaining safe and reliable transportation.

Ressel also encouraged transportation departments to review automatic price increases in multiyear contracts rather than assuming those increases are justified.

Technology as an Efficiency Tool

Technology also emerged as an important component of effective shared services.

Ressel discussed how GPS tracking, parent communication portals and integrated transportation management systems can help districts reduce administrative workloads while improving communication with families.

She pointed to an example involving Palm Beach, Florida, where implementing a parent-facing transportation information system substantially reduced the volume of phone calls and complaints, allowing staff to focus on other operational responsibilities.

However, she warned that technology investments require careful planning, especially when school districts and transportation contractors use different platforms.

Compatibility, data protection and clearly defined responsibilities should be considered before implementing new systems.

While acknowledging the potential of AI, Ressel encouraged districts to prioritize foundational technology that addresses immediate operational needs.

“Get the basics, know what can help you right now,” she advised before adding advancements like AI.

Efficiency Must Support Student Needs

Throughout the session, Ressel reinforced that effective transportation management depends on clearly defined responsibilities and consistent communication among everyone involved in serving students.

Parents, administrators, transportation professionals and contractors may approach transportation decisions from different perspectives, but each plays a role in ensuring students receive appropriate services.

For transportation departments serving students with disabilities and special needs, shared services offer more than opportunities for financial savings. They can improve accountability, strengthen communication and help districts direct limited resources toward the students who need them most.

Ressel ultimately challenged attendees to return to their districts and identify at least one opportunity to reduce expenses or increase revenue through stronger partnerships. Her message underscored that meaningful operational improvements do not always require major investments. Sometimes, they begin with a conversation between departments or agencies that have historically worked independently.

Written with the assistance of AI and an AI transcript.

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Transportation Leader Advice on School Bus Technology at TSD Conference

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

7 November 2026 at 22:56

FRISCO, Texas – During a Saturday lunchtime session at the TSD Conference, three pupil transportation leaders discussed the benefits of technology for transporting students with special needs as well as lessons learned during implementation.

Technology Assists with Daily Transportation Changes

“There’s things changing every day with special needs routes,” noted Zachery Moren, sales engineering lead for session sponsor Transfinder.

Sierra Elliot, route supervisor for Garland Independent School District near Dallas, Texas, transports 1,100 students with special needs students using 77 routes. She utilizes strategies like a team Google Sheet and a dedicated email address for staff, so nothing is missed.

Jennifer Gardella, director of transportation for neighboring Rockwall Independent School District, transports 8,000 students overall and has 28 special education routes. She confirmed that corralling changes across schools, staff and drivers is tedious. She said it’s important to have a seat at the table so transportation can proactively weigh in on the availability of monitors or safety equipment assigned in Individualized Education Programs.

Virginia’s Loudoun County Public Schools, located about half an hour outside Washington D.C., uses 170 routes to transport 3,000 students with special needs. Making changes using seven routers and sending updated PDFs to drivers is “very complicated, very cumbersome,” Transportation Coordinator Kathleen Guarini said.

A 72-hour notice period and thorough information sharing processes has helped streamline aspects like wheelchair lift bus requests and joint custody households, she shared. She also urges campus administrators to log into the school bus driver app Wayfinder to verify the accuracy of information there.

Garland ISD and Rockwall ISD heavily promote the parent app Stopfinder using billboards and even QR code-bearing T-shirts so families can stay updated.

Overcoming Challenges When Implementing School Bus Technology

Loudoun County required its technology-hesitant drivers to use onboard navigation after discontinuing paper route sheets, which Guarini said streamlined both parent communications and employee timesheet processes. Transfinder customer care further makes drivers feel supported, she added.

Gardella at Rockwall ISD stressed that driver training was imperative for all the technology pieces to fit together. “Not only did I add the technology in for them, I worked with them and I didn’t leave them behind. I kept working with them until they got it,” she said.

Additionally, she said, onboard technology catches issues like drivers dropping students at unofficial stops, thus leading to training opportunities.

Elliot, who is also Garland ISD’s hiring manager, makes it part of her onboarding process to tell drivers that they will be using onboard technology and said it improved buy-in. She acknowledged that too much information can be a problem as parents watching Stopfinder sometimes call in with nitpicky questions on bus timing or location.

Guarini and Elliot gave advice gleaned from their experiences in rolling out various Transfinder components.

“Your staff, your drivers, everyone needs to know that they are supported,” Elliot emphasized.

“Roll it out at a pace that makes sense to be really successful,” Moren agreed.

Elliot pointed out emergencies or even broken school HVAC necessitate buses moving students en masse, which highlights how important it is for drivers to use assigned onboard navigation technology and students to use RFID scanning cards. Partnering with local businesses and restaurants to give discounts to students who bring in their badges boosts adoption, she shared.

Moving Forward with Transportation Technology to Success

While initial technology implementation at Loudoun County was rocky, Guarini confirmed that lessons were learned. Now, she specified, keeping pertinent student information viewable for relevant admin and staff improves service.

“So, if I need to know what your medical conditions are, or if a parent has to meet you at the bus stop or not, or if you have a seizure problem, all of that is shared electronically through the tablet at the driver’s fingertips,” she said. “And we’re not running around like chickens with our heads cut off anymore.”

She said she first learned to become more technology proficient herself and agreed with Gardella that making sure the technology is tailored to the district’s unique needs has refined operations.

Guarini underscored that technology is beneficial, but relationships are more important since roadblocked knowledge sets up transportation teams for failure.

“We’re going to continue to see escalations and people getting hurt that we could prevent in simple sharing of information,” she explained.

During the Q&A, panelists shared how the technology smoothly handles issues like one driver substituting for another in an emergency, students getting dropped at a friend’s house instead of their normal home stop, merging bus routes when drivers call out and automatically sending parents notifications on changes.

The post Transportation Leader Advice on School Bus Technology at TSD Conference appeared first on School Transportation News.

Hands-On Child Passenger Safety Training at TSD Conference

School Transportation News

By: STN

7 November 2026 at 16:28

How can school transportation professionals ensure the safest ride for their youngest passengers and students with disabilities?

At the 2026 TSD Conference, attendees participated in the eight-hour NHTSA Child Passenger Safety on School Buses National Training, gaining hands-on experience with child safety restraint systems (CSRS) and learning best practices for transporting preschool-aged children and students with disabilities.

Led by nationally recognized child passenger safety experts, the training combined classroom instruction, instructional videos and hands-on practice to reinforce proper restraint selection, installation and use on school buses.

School Transportation News takes you inside the training to highlight the importance of proper securement, specialized instruction and continued education in student transportation.

Watch to see how hands-on training is helping school transportation professionals put student safety first. Learn more about the TSDConference.

The post Hands-On Child Passenger Safety Training at TSD Conference appeared first on School Transportation News.

Policies, Documentation Crucial When Asked to Do Something You Think is Wrong

School Transportation News

By: Taylor Ekbatani

7 November 2026 at 01:05

FRISCO, Texas — Expanding on her October School Transportation News Thought Leader column, Linda Bluth facilitated a panel discussion at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference on “What To Do When A Supervisor Directs You To Do Something You Know Is Wrong?”

The panelists, which consisted of over 200 years of experience in transportation, discussed how to handle situations thoughtfully, cautiously and promptly.

“Is there anyone sitting in the room who was told by their supervisors to do something they knew was wrong?” Bluth asked the audience Nov. 6. A little less than half of the respondents said they have had this experience.

Bluth, a TSD Conference tenured faculty member and expert witness, noted that if you disagree with your supervisors, take inventory of the disagreement. Is the situation unsafe, unlawful or unethical?

Fellow tenured faculty member Alexandra Robinson, former executive director of transportation for the New York City Department of Education and now an industry consultant as well as expert witness, recalled issues with her then supervisor relating to training and the unsafe transportation of students with disabilities. She noted that her integrity was worth more than her job.

Tenured faculty members and consultants Launi Harden and Sue Shutrump also discussed circumstances in which they were instructed to do something that they felt was wrong. Shutrump, a retired supervisor of occupational and physical therapy in Ohio, noted recalled when school administrators would default to “put them in harness” Language during student individualized education program (IEP) meetings. She noted that not only did they use the incorrect nomenclature, they didn’t consider the needs of the student. She said that keeping administrators in the loop and involved in the decision-making process changes the conversation and avoids a one-stop solution for all students.

Bringing Up Concerns

When your supervisor asks you to something that you believe is wrong, how do you bring up concerns? Harden said it’s all about complying with policies and procedures. She added that precedents set become policy.

Shutrump recommended reviewing equipment manufacturer guidelines and to not only review policies in transportation but in the school buildings as well. Harden added that anytime school staff is mentioned in policies and procedures, transportation should be included.

TSD tenured faculty member and legal expert Peggy Burns, a surprise addition to the panel, advised knowing the nature of the risk. “What is the importance of the battle you’re fighting? Are we talking about the safety of a student?” she said.

Bluth outlined the recommendations provided in her article.

- Promptly request to meet with your supervisor privately and communicate your concern.
- Provide your supervisor with relevant data, written documentation and information to support your findings.
- Suggest a resolution to your supervisor that aligns and supports school district written policies and procedures.
- Try to resolve your differences and concerns, if possible.

The panelists agreed that safety trumps all other considerations. Robinson noted that student transporters think in advance and understand the domino effect a decision can have on other students. For example, change a route by five minutes and what is the impact on other routes? She noted it’s okay for those in the room to ask supervisors to put their request in writing and look for further clarification.

Burns agreed, noting that putting things in writing provides additional clarity and provides documentation.

Shutrump added that policies and procedures for traditional education can be black and white, whereas when transporting students with disabilities, the ‘I’ in IEP can’t be forgotten.

“We must write individual plans that meet the needs of the students,” she said.

Leaning on Resources

Bluth asked how and when one should request assistance if their supervisor insists they do something that they know is wrong.

Burns suggested relying on established policy and procedures to determine what they about the situation, and what the penalty is. While there are people one can talk to, she said what is in writing is very important.

Robinson said when she worked in her role, she provided history on why certain rules were created and why things are done that way. Re-education is key, she said.

Liability of Risk

Bluth continued, asking how to defend oneself against the risk of potential liability. For instance, she said often something is written in an email that is a direct violation.

Shutrump said, “Document, document, document. You can’t document enough.”

She cautioned that everything put in writing can be brought up in a court case. She said every meeting with parents should be documented, even if it’s an IEP meeting. There should be written notice about what occurred in the IEP, who was there, what decisions remained and who supported it. She also cautioned offering short term fixes. If you move forward with something, she said, it will be become precedent.

“If it’s unsafe, don’t ever do it,” she said.

Robinson agreed, noting that one needs to prove there was training.

“Documentation, as good as it is, can also be a subpoena,” she said, adding that files kept on a student or notes can be used in court.

Burns advised that before one concludes on their own that a request or order is inappropriate, review it with school district counsel. “You may assume something is terrible, but it may not be as terrible as you think,” she said, adding to consider all the facts and make arguments of why certain things would require the situation to be handled differently.

Harden added that the increase in technology, such as cameras on the school bus, could potentially cause a district more trouble if random footage checks are not being done.

“You need to have a random checking policy in place,” she said.

Shutrump also advised having a policy on who has the power to break policies and procedures should the situation arise.

Robinson said student transporters should have emergency procedures. For instance, prior to 2020, no one had a policy on what to do if a pandemic breaks out.

Overall, Bluth advised taking an individual approach. “No matter what, maintain your professionalism,” she said. “Don’t do anything that would jeopardize safe school transportation.

“Each of you are special,” she concluded. “You can make a profound difference in the life of your peers/parents and in the safety of children who are transported today.”

The post Policies, Documentation Crucial When Asked to Do Something You Think is Wrong appeared first on School Transportation News.

Why Propane is School Bus Fuel of Choice for Two School Districts

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

6 November 2026 at 21:25

FRISCO, Texas – A panel discussion at the TSD Conference revealed the benefits of propane school buses for school districts concerned about rising operational costs, including diesel fuel.

School Districts in Virginia, Connecticut Choose Propane

Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, near Washington, D.C., maintains a mixed fleet of 513 route buses, including 31 electric and 30 propane buses. When nine of the district’s electric school buses went down in January, propane offered greater reliability, explained Assistant Director of Transportation Tisha Austin.

The district’s first 15 propane buses achieved a satisfactory 100 percent uptime, she reported. The transportation department initially used wet fueling before installing temporary 1,000-gallon tanks, allowing propane deployment while permanent infrastructure remained pending.

Austin reportedly pays $1.93 per gallon for propane compared to over $5 a gallon for diesel.

“We see propane as our future,” she confirmed.

An environmental focus in Norwalk, Connecticut, precipitated a change for the local school district and its transportation contractor. COVID-19, a new superintendent, changed bell times and driver shortages complicated matters. But a Norwalk Public Schools switch to propane school buses was ultimately a win, shared Transportation Director Johanna Zanvettor.

The district saved $90,000 in fuel costs during the first year, not including maintenance savings. Federal reimbursements added approximately $250,000. The buses travel roughly 60 miles daily, and the fleet manager reports easier maintenance and “top notch” technical support from Blue Bird manufacturing partner ROUSH CleanTech.

“Blue Bird is like the Cadillac of school buses,” Zanvettor commented.

Both transportation leaders reported that drivers were excited about the new propane buses but wary of the unfamiliar fuel. Hands-on training, opportunities to ask questions and firsthand experience helped overcome concerns, they shared. Loudoun County also certified drivers to fuel their own propane buses.

Zanvettor discussed fueling infrastructure and permitting challenges. Norwalk replaced aging underground diesel tanks with two 1,800-gallon, above-ground propane tanks, eliminating concerns about underground diesel leaks and messy fueling residue. Its local propane provider handled infrastructure installation and helped train 12 certified fuelers.

The panelists agreed that although electric school buses offer environmental benefits, propane better meets their current operational needs.

“We don’t want to get stuck where we have a driver out there because the vehicle didn’t charge or the driver’s concerned because they’re watching it and they’ve got kids on board,” Zanvettor declared.

Zanvettor also noted that the superior maintenance performance of propane buses helped Norwalk negotiate a three-year transportation contract extension with an 8-percent increase, compared with the 18- to 24-percent increases cited nationally. Because the contractor did not need to replace buses, the district benefited from lower renewal costs.

Operational Reasons to Choose Propane School Buses

“One of things I’m most proud of is we have a buffet of school buses,” quipped Stephen Whaley, alternative fuels manager for Blue Bird.

While diesel remains king of school bus fuels, Whaley posited that propane is a viable, if lesser-known option. He predicted that mixed fleets will prevail, with districts selecting fuels based on routes, climate and geography. Already, 60 percent of Blue Bird production output is non-diesel, he said.

Propane engines have fewer components and are easier to work on than diesel engines, Whaley noted, since they lack diesel particulate filters, selective catalytic reduction or diesel exhaust fluid systems. Propane also performs well in cold starts, eliminating the need for lengthy winter warmups.

Amid concerning diesel price spikes, Whaley pointed to cost-per-mile savings reported by Anthony Jackson, director of transportation for Bibb County Schools in Georgia. The district spent 39 cents per mile on propane versus 66 cents on diesel, saving approximately $540,000 annually across 2 million miles. Whaley said maintenance savings added another 23 cents per mile.

Propane fuel tanks come in various sizes and infrastructure is scalable, Whaley noted. Contrasted with EV range concerns, he cited Transportation Director Kay Cornelius’ use of propane buses for St. Louis County Schools in Minnesota on long-distance field trips, including a 1,200-mile round trip to a robotics championship in Illinois.

Whaley also reviewed federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grants, saying eligible propane buses could receive funding covering 45 percent of acquisition costs when replacing older diesel buses.

He highlighted propane’s lower projected lifetime ownership costs and noted that AmeriGas recently announced a one-year free-fuel promotion for qualifying new propane buses. Providers can also offer multiyear fuel pricing to help districts forecast operating costs.

“Find a propane provider who has experience with fleets,” he advised. “Somebody who knows how to get the permitting, who knows the ins and outs of fuel management.”

Written with the assistance of AI and a live session transcript.

The post Why Propane is School Bus Fuel of Choice for Two School Districts appeared first on School Transportation News.

Mulick Promotes Independence by Reducing Reliance on 1:1 Adult Support

School Transportation News

By: Cooper Hannon

6 November 2026 at 19:59

FRISCO, Texas — Behavior specialist Patrick Mulick kicked off the educational sessions at the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference by explaining the significance of reducing the reliance on one to one adult support and the importance of having an independent mindset when working with students with disabilities.

“I am not here to help you. I am here to help you help you,” said Mulick, who is the autism coordinator for the Auburn School District in Washington, on Friday.

The five-time TSD Conference speaker has spent over two decades educating students with disabilities, from preschool to high school. The reason why he works in education? To be a difference maker. For Mulick, one of the biggest ways to make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities is by helping them reach a greater level of independence.

“Kids don’t grow because we do things for them,” he said. “Kids grow because we challenge and support them to do things on their own.”

Mulick discussed numerous reasons why one-to-one adult support can have negative effects on students with disabilities, the first of which being unnecessary dependence. He noted how a student with a disability might be hesitant to act without expected adult direction, prompting or cueing.

Additionally, students may experience a lack of interaction with peers as the one-to-one adult aide can create physical or symbolic barriers that interfere with those interactions.

Mulick also discussed how students may experience embarrassment or discomfort from having an adult present. Some students with disabilities may even express their dislike of one-to-one support through inappropriate behavior.

Originally from Boring, Oregon, there is nothing monotonous about the charismatic Mulick. He solicited from attendees a loud “whoo” when asking him how they were feeling, rather than a mundane “good.” He set up his talk with humor by recounting the “struggle” with independence of his parents. The Oregon ban on self-service fueling only expired three years ago. In his new home of Washington state, however, where self-serve has been legal, he would need to assist his parents whenever they visited.

Mulick explained how gas stations in Oregon now provide step-by-step visual instructions to help motorist figure out how to pump their own gas. He used this example to demonstrate how important visuals can be to students with disabilities and the importance of promoting their independence.

“A well-used visual is worth a thousand verbal reminders,” Mulick said.

The idea resonated with attendee Melanie Tsosie, a bus driver from Piñon Community School in Arizona.

“Introducing visuals and helping regulate. That’s what I got out of this,” she said.

Another key takeaway from Mulick’s presentation was the importance of predictability. He outlined five steps that can ultimately help students with disabilities have an easier time navigating their daily routines. Start with setting a routine, which leads to predictability, then reliability and trust. A feeling of safety follows, resulting in tangible success for the student.

“If there is no plan to remove the training wheels, then you are only training the child to be dependent on them,” Mulick said.

Kyle Guison, who works in special needs transportation with Springfield R12 School District in Missouri, couldn’t agree more.

“How can we help our students with special needs increase their independence?” Guison said. “Which is ultimately what we all want, both on the special education and the transportation side.”

Mulick also shared the idea of shifting the language when attempting to help students with disabilities reach a level of independence. Instead of saying “remove” or “take out the adult,” Mulick advised that educators use phrases like “increasing opportunities for independence.” This shift in language not only changes how to approach student support but also help parents move from a mindset of protecting their children to one focused on building their skills.

Mulick concluded with a quote from Helen Keller, “A bend in the road is not the end of the road… unless you fail to make the turn.”

The post Mulick Promotes Independence by Reducing Reliance on 1:1 Adult Support appeared first on School Transportation News.

Sports Secrets of Success Shared at Transportation Director Summit

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

6 November 2026 at 00:33

FRISCO, Texas – Using examples from sports and business, Ross Bernstein schooled student transportation leaders on the Champion’s Code.

Author of over 50 books and a speaker on every continent – even Antarctica – Bernstein drew from his experience in locker rooms, press boxes, dugouts and sidelines to demonstrate that “being a champion is about doing the little things the right way.”

Amid meetings with vendor partners brainstorming solutions to everyday operational challenges, tables of student transporters discussed Bernstein’s takeaways during Day 2 of the Transportation Director Summit on Thursday, an STN EXPO staple new this year at the Transporting Students with Disabilities (TSD) and Special Needs Conference and Trade Show.

Four Essential Soft Skills

“People choose to do business with, to buy from, to be led by” people who are passionate, kind, generous and consistent, Bernstein declared.

“You can’t fake passion,” he said, as exhibited by Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins and his unbounded fervor for baseball. “If you’re not really, truly, authentically passionate about what you do, then you might need to think about what you do.”

Bernstein illustrated the critical principle of compassion through two college softball team captains who assisted a rival player to finish rounding the bases after she became injured. Compassion, empathy and kind-heartedness are also crucial in attracting new school bus drivers from Generations Z and Alpha, he noted.

Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky was the National Hockey League’s all-time leader in goals, but he had twice as many assists in which he helped another player score a goal, Bernstein revealed. Gretzky’s humble leadership and dedicated mentorship further shaped an effective team.

Love him or hate him, Bernstein stated, “there was no off season” for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, whose consistency, enthusiasm and meticulousness helped him overcome failures and net him seven National Football League Super Bowl championship rings.

Business and transportation could take a page from sports, Bernstein emphasized, utilize a focused game plan, a data-based playbook and accountability for underperforming players.

“If you’re not there consistently showing up with passion and compassion, you don’t have successful teams that are serving our kids,” concurred STN Transportation Director of the Year Laura Hill, the general manager of transportation for Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida, who was in attendance.

Five Leadership Principles from Sports

Bernstein advised the transportation directors, managers and supervisors to incorporate focus, trust, respect, goal setting and humility.

Like American football players performing in cold climates they’re not accustomed to or student transporters dealing with everything from pandemics to rising fuel prices to government shifts to AI, mental toughness and focusing on only what you can control are crucial, Bernstein shared.

One of the “winningest” coaches in college basketball history, Pat Summitt, won eight national championships with the University of Tennessee by recruiting the right players, not the best players, Bernstein noted. He said she also demonstrated how important it is to shift leadership techniques from old-school aggression and yelling to modernized culture-based strategies of connection, respect and praise.

Baseball “clubhouse guys” like Harmon Killebrew of Bernstein’s hometown Minnesota Twins hold teams together by urging team members toward excellence in things as small as signing baseballs legibly, “making sure little problems don’t turn into big problems.” Pupil transportation teams similarly need someone reminding colleagues to follow safety guidelines and treat each other with respect, he added.

Olympic gold medalist Lindsay Vonn exemplifies purpose and goal setting, Bernstein shared, by constantly shattering skiing records at every turn and moving into a new phase post-knee injury during which she mentored the proficient Mikaela Shiffrin, who has the most FIS Alpine Ski World Cup wins of any alpine skier in history.

“Nobody wants to work with or be led by an arrogant, narcissistic jerk,” Bernstein quipped. He termed track and field champion Emma McGowan, who is also a special needs school bus driver, a “true professional” who refrains from antics and credits training for her wins.

Modernizing Business Best Practices

Bernstein urged student transporters in attendance to be adaptable and get creative to succeed in a modernizing digital age.

Adapting to change is key, as student transporters quickly learned when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and as they are learning now in the age of AI. “It’s about thinking differently – the old style of business is changing,” he said.

Hotels adapted in eco-friendly and inclusive ways to attract millennials and avoid losing customers to Airbnb. Similarly, Bernstein said, school district bus operations must adapt to the sensibilities of their Gen Z and Gen Alpha customers.

He said creative strategies that have worked for him include connecting on a personal level with clients and having a social media strategy.

“Be a cheerleader for your customers and prospects, those families, those communities,” he encouraged.

The Power of Storytelling

“Not everybody wins a trophy. Sometimes you’ve got to deal with stuff,” Bernstein said.

He shared his experiences with U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame coach Herb Brooks of Disney movie “Miracle on Ice” renown, encouraging attendees to find silver linings and tell stories to make connections for better service to students.

While never achieving his goal of playing on the University of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers hockey team, Bernstein became the “Goldie the Gopher” mascot and launched his author career with a book about Brooks’ team, which he wrote in college with the coach’s help.

Following Brooks’s death in in a car crash, proceeds from Bernstein’s biography “America’s Coach” go toward a hockey organization for underprivileged youth.

Brooks also acknowledged unsung behind the scenes staff, as Bernstein encouraged attendees to do with their school bus drivers, attendants and mechanics.

“The name of the front of the jersey is always more important than the name on the back of the jersey,” Brooks once told Bernstein. “Always ‘we’ and ‘us,’ never ‘I’ and ‘me.’”

While considering the legacy left by sports legends, Bernstein shared that a recent cancer diagnosis refocused him on living life to the fullest.

“Remember, individuals win games, but it takes a whole team to win a championship,” he concluded.

Photos by Tyler Davis.

The post Sports Secrets of Success Shared at Transportation Director Summit appeared first on School Transportation News.

(STN Podcast E330) Always Serving: Coast Guard Leadership in Student Transportation

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

3 November 2026 at 22:20

The special needs-focused TSD Conference kicks off this week, federal commercial driver’s license (CDL) restrictions exacerbate school bus driver shortages, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) weighs in on tire safety.

Keith Henry, executive director of the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation, a past president of the National Association of Pupil Transportation and a recent inductee into its Hall of Fame, shares stories from his career which started in the U.S Coast Guard and his collaborative leadership strategies in student transportation.

Download the 2026 TSD Conference App

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

2 November 2026 at 18:58

The official TSD Conference app sponsored by Transfinder gives attendees in Frisco, Texas, all the event information they need as well as aa dedicated space to make connections.

1. Download the EventScribe App

Search for “Eventscribe” on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Alternatively, scan the QR code, below, with your smart phone and it will automatically direct you to download.

Once downloaded, find your event icon in the Upcoming Events (bottom row) or search for TSD Conference.

2. Log in to the App

Once the event is selected, follow the prompt to log in. Enter your email address and password, which you will have received in an email.

3. Access the Event Features

After logging in, access event schedules, session details, speaker information, exhibitor lists and more.

Browse the event information and create a personal schedule by tapping on the star next to presentation titles. If you pre-registered for a session, it will show up as a “Favorite.”

Tips: AI Enhances Your Experience

Download the app before you go! Wi-Fi connection onsite can affect app functionality.

We’re excited to feature Snapsight, an AI-powered tool available during select sessions at this year’s STN EXPO West. Snapsight provides live text, transcription and translation during presentations. It also generates AI key takeaways and summaries so attendees can easily review important points after each session. In addition, Snapsight’s Ideal Cloud feature visually maps out key ideas and themes discussed, offering an engaging way to reflect on the content.

The four icons at the top of the home screen allow quick access to information on Schedules, Speakers, Exhibitors and the Activity Feed. The home screen includes shortcuts to the Scavenger Hunt, Trade Show Floor Plan, list of Attendees, and Event Information.

Use the Schedule tab to see all the available sessions and select the star button next to your chosen ones to create personalized schedules for the week.

From the app homepage, access lists of Attendees and Trade Show Exhibitors. Send connection requests to other attendees and mark the star next to vendors you connect with to keep the conversations flowing even after the conference.

Share your thoughts! After each session, complete a three-question survey to provide feedback. Near the end of the conference, an overall evaluation will be available for your general impressions. Your input is greatly appreciated!

The Innovation Passport Challenge Scavenger Hunt starts on Sunday evening’s Technology Demonstrations and Ride & Drive + Reception. Visit Passport Stops, scan QR codes on the app and answer questions to earn raffle tickets. The winner gets $250.

The fun continues with the Wonderland of Ideas Challenge on Monday, July 13, the day of the Trade Show. Visit vendor booths to scan QR codes and unlock questions to answer. The more booths you visit and correct answers you give, the more points you earn toward one of five $100 prizes.

Rules and details for both scavenger hunts are available on the app under the Information button.

Stay tuned at stnonline.com and social media channels for extensive conference and trade show coverage, including articles, photo galleries, videos and more. Plus, visit stnexpo.com/west for more conference information, including the conference overview.

The post Download the 2026 TSD Conference App appeared first on School Transportation News.

(STN Podcast E328) This, That & the Other: Fuel Frustration, AI As a Tool, Texas Training Partnership

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

20 October 2026 at 22:15

School districts feel the pinch at the fuel pump, await news on Clean School Bus Program funding, and deal with extreme weather events threatening operations. Plus, the TSD Conference presents advice on leveraging AI as a tool.

Prosper Independent School District in Texas is hosting the hands-on evacuation training as well as The Roadeo Competition at the TSD Conference in a few weeks. Director of Transportation Teri Mapengo talks operational teamwork to better serve student with special needs, as well as meeting school bus fueling and staffing challenges.

Make the Case for Specialized Training at TSD Conference

School Transportation News

By: Ryan Gray

20 October 2026 at 19:10

School transportation professionals who need supervisor approval to attend the 2026 Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference and Trade Show have a resource to help make their case: A downloadable, customizable supervisor-approval letter provided by School Transportation News.

The template is designed to help prospective attendees demonstrate how conference participation can benefit their transportation operations. It outlines the event’s educational and networking opportunities, highlights keynote presentations and includes an itemized cost estimate for registration, airfare, lodging, transportation and meals. TSD Conference begins Nov. 4 and 5 with the Transportation Director Summit, which requires separate approval to attend. The full conference runs from Nov. 6-10 at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel & Convention Center in Frisco, Texas.

Users can personalize the letter with their supervisor’s name, specific conference sessions relevant to their responsibilities, and current organizational priorities. The template also emphasizes sharing newly acquired knowledge with colleagues afterward, extending the value of the investment beyond a single attendee.

Training is essential to the industry’s commitment to safety, efficiency and service, especially when transporting students with disabilities and preschoolers. These particularly vulnerable student populations require specialized knowledge, equipment, individualized planning and communication strategies that are not always addressed in general transportation training.

Few educational opportunities provide the depth and concentration of professional development found at the TSD Conference, where the entire program focuses on these students and the transportation professionals who serve them.

The full conference agenda addresses behavior management, legal compliance, Head Start transportation, emergency response, student independence and operational best practices. Keynote speakers include behavior specialist Patrick Mulick, special education attorney Julie Weatherly and former federal special education official Glenna Wright-Gallo.

Special training opportunities include the eight-hour, hands-on seminar on proper child passenger safety instruction, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as wheelchair and occupant securement certification, and hands-on emergency evacuation training. The Transportation Director Summit and Special Needs Roadeo offer additional leadership development and practical learning opportunities. Certain activities require separate registration, additional fees or both.

Professional networking is another important component. Attendees can connect during the Nov. 5 welcome reception at Topgolf The Colony and the Nov. 6 Ride & Drive + Technology Demonstration.

The Nov. 8 TSD Trade Show and Tailgate Reception, scheduled from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., will feature approximately 70 exhibitors showcasing products, technology and services. Additional networking and trade show information is available online.

Prospective attendees are encouraged to download the supervisor-approval letter, identify relevant training opportunities and submit their requests while time remains.

Registration remains open online, and attendees also may register in person at the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco. Space in certain specialized training sessions is limited.

The post Make the Case for Specialized Training at TSD Conference appeared first on School Transportation News.

(STN Podcast E327) Child-Centered Decision Making: Decades of Special Needs Transportation Focus

School Transportation News

By: Claudia Newton

13 October 2026 at 22:36

Analysis on safety conversations revived by a fatal Florida crash that killed a student and motorist, School Bus Safety Month, and discussion at the recent National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference & Trade Show.

Consultant Sue Shutrump is a retired occupational and physical therapy supervisor for Trumbull County ESC in Ohio, co-chair of NAPT’s Special Needs Advisory Committee, and member of the Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference Tenured Faculty. She discusses her eventful career including receipt of the NAPT Distinguished Service Award, plus nuances of student safety and the importance of federal guidelines.

Read more about special needs and safety.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Message from School Radio.

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

The post (STN Podcast E327) Child-Centered Decision Making: Decades of Special Needs Transportation Focus appeared first on School Transportation News.

Reading view

Breaking Down Departmental Silos

Staffing Shortages and Rising Costs

Federal Restructuring Creates New Questions

Finding Funding Beyond the Transportation Budget

Connecting the IEP to the School Bus

Demonstrating Transportation’s Educational Impact

Data Drives Transportation Funding

Should drivers of alternative vehicles be held to the exact same training and standards as school bus drivers?

IEP Collaboration and Student Safety

Training and Alternative Transportation Partnerships

Technology and Parent Communication

Collaboration Begins Within the District

Identifying Revenue Opportunities

Contracts Require More Than a Signature

Technology as an Efficiency Tool

Efficiency Must Support Student Needs

Technology Assists with Daily Transportation Changes

Overcoming Challenges When Implementing School Bus Technology

Moving Forward with Transportation Technology to Success

Bringing Up Concerns

Leaning on Resources

Liability of Risk

School Districts in Virginia, Connecticut Choose Propane

Operational Reasons to Choose Propane School Buses

Four Essential Soft Skills

Five Leadership Principles from Sports

Modernizing Business Best Practices

The Power of Storytelling

Tips: AI Enhances Your Experience