By Peter Mannella
New Administration; Many Changes Afoot
As the new administration takes shape and begins to implement its priorities, things are moving at a rapid and fluid pace. We will be monitoring developments among the key federal agencies that affect school bus transportation, as well as congressional action affecting our work as well. Our close collaboration with AASA (The Superintendents Association) offers us timely information and access to leaders in Washington. We will remain in close contact with AASA throughout this transition in the coming months.
Funding Freeze
Early in his term of office, President Trump issued an executive order to freeze all federal funding. This was followed by an order from the Office of Management and Budget that basically implemented the EO. Within days, a federal court put a hold on that freeze but it’s clear that the administration intends to continue its efforts to reduce spending and to target cuts on programs that are not consistent with their priorities.
From the first announcement, the administration made clear that funding for Title I and IDEA was not in the crosshairs but it was unclear what would happen with discretionary and grant-based programs for other services in schools.
AASA’s most recent (1/31/25) update can be read here.
Clean Air Programs
The new administration has made clear its opposition to funding for ‘green new deal’ programs. From the information we have available currently, the President’s executive order on funding programs included a pause in the disbursement of funds awarded through the Clean School Bus Program and the Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles program. We have heard that some districts and recipients have been unable to access their payment portals for the purpose of drawing down funds.
There is lots that is fluid and developing at this time. We will continue to monitor developments in this area and report to you in future Dispatches and notices.
Education Department
If all predictions hold up, President Trump will take action to either (1) eliminate the US Education Department or (2) significantly rein in its authority and activities. This is a long-held belief by the President and many leading GOP voices on the Hill. Until that action is complete, we cannot speculate as to its impact and implications. We will keep you posted and informed!
Tariffs
On February 1st, President Trump imposed new tariffs on three trading partners: Canada, Mexico and China. As we prepare this article, the tariffs against Mexico and Canada have been delayed temporarily due to concessions those two nations made with the U.S. related to border security and other matters.
Nonetheless, the threat of the tariffs caused much concern in certain domestic and overseas markets. They also might have an impact on the manufacture of school buses, parts for their production and repair, technologies for their operation, and the costs of school buses as well.
We will monitor the tariff issue and bring you information about their implications for school transportation, school bus production, and related costs. We are also reaching out to our many business partners to discuss their perception of the potential impact on their business environment.
Immigration
We are tracking the situation relating to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers having access to school buildings to apprehend immigrants for the purpose of deportation. In prior years, ICE agents were precluded from accessing schools, hospitals, and places of worship. That restriction has been set aside.
School leaders across the nation are now confronted with the potential for ICE agents entering school buildings. We note that there are states and schools which have indicated their intent to prohibit ICE access to their schools and there are others who have indicated their intent to fully cooperate with ICE. Generally, advisories recommend that they ensure that ICE agents present judicial warrants and that they have procedures in place for how the agents will enter and how students or families or staff will be contacted by such agents.
The question for us as school leaders is determining how to handle the approach of ICE agents at a school bus stop or on school buses. There is no front office for ICE to go to, there is no building principal or security officer to manage the entry request from ICE. There is only a school bus driver and perhaps an aide. We are seeking advice and guidance for our members on this question. But it’s clear that our members and their teams need to follow the lead and policies of their school boards and school administrators.
Please see our NAPT Member Update from Thursday, February 6, 2025, for more information.
Secretary Duffy and Family with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thomas at swearing in ceremony.
New Secretary at USDOT
The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Department of Transportation. The new Secretary is Sean Duffy, a former prosecutor, congressperson and media personality.
Duffy was sworn in as Secretary on January 28, 2025, shortly after being confirmed 77-22 by the Senate in a show of bi-partisan support. In our issue area, he came out quickly to call for the recission of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards that are established by NHTSA for vehicle emissions. He suggested that they were more aggressive than needed and would stifle the auto industry as well as make automobiles too expensive for consumers.
The positions of Administrator for both FMCSA and NHTSA are currently vacant and we await news of the individuals appointed to those posts which have such a direct effect on our work.
NAPT will be communicating with the new Secretary to welcome him to USDOT and to share our priorities and interests for school transportation and for the safety of the children we transport across the nation.
Read more about the new Secretary from the USDOT website.
EDUCATION SECRETARY: On a related note, the President has nominated Linda McMahon to serve as Secretary of Education. Her confirmation has not been completed in the U.S. Senate as of this writing; her confirmation hearings are slated for February 13 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, chaired by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as Ranking Minority Member.
Peter Mannella (pfman5@gmail.com) is chair of the NAPT Public Policy Committee.