For generations, the iconic yellow school bus has been synonymous with student transportation. Yet today’s transportation departments face a far more diverse set of responsibilities than simply moving large numbers of students between home and school. Special education services, preschool transportation, career and technical education, athletics, extracurricular activities, and transportation for private and parochial […]
The Leadership Check-In Before a New School Year By Molly McGee Hewitt, PhD, CAE Every school district has a process for evaluating performance for leaders and the team that reports to them. During my tenure as a district employee and administrator, I have received and given more evaluations than I care to admit and while […]
School BUSRide recently spoke with Jerry Dixon, the new managing director of the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute (PTSI), to introduce him to the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) community and discuss the organization’s next chapter. As PTSI works alongside NAPT to launch a new Learning Management System (LMS) and integrate the association’s Professional Development […]
For four decades, Kenny Aronoff has built a career on performing under pressure. The legendary drummer has earned over 1300 gold and platinum records for playing on more than 300 million records sold and has toured with artists like John Mellencamp, Elton John, Smashing Pumpkins, Lady Gaga, Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, John Fogerty, Rod […]
As the school bus industry navigates aging fleets, rising costs, workforce challenges and evolving technology, Blue Bird is approaching 2026 with a focus on safety, fuel choice, reliability and the next generation of school transportation. The school transportation industry is no stranger to change and challenges. For Blue Bird, those challenges are helping shape […]
By Molly McGee Hewitt, PhD, CAE Every profession has organizations that bring people together. I’ve found that to be especially true in student transportation. There are state and regional associations, coalitions, business partners and neighboring national organizations that serve the student transportation industry, plus those that serve the educational enterprise and adjacent transportation safety […]
By Molly McGee Hewitt, PhD, CAE Student transportation leadership is not for the faint of heart. Every day, you are responsible for people, equipment, budgets, schedules, compliance requirements, and, most importantly, the safe transportation of students. You manage employees, support families, solve problems, navigate policies, and make decisions that affect your school community. It’s […]
By Matthew Milewski For transportation directors, a top priority has always been keeping school buses operating safely and efficiently. Today, advances in connected vehicle technology, predictive analytics, and service planning offer new ways to improve uptime, use maintenance resources more effectively, and help control operating costs. Historically, fleet maintenance has been largely reactive. A […]
After years of piloting, the Q’STRAINT ONE is changing what wheelchair securement looks like on a school bus. This is a closer look at the product that is redefining the standard. On a Hamilton Southeastern Schools bus in Fishers, Indiana, 20-year-old Madison enters into her securement position. Her driver, Tonya, presses a single button […]
In May 2026, AASA, The School Superintendents Association collaborated with the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) and the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) to administer a timely survey of school districts across the country to gauge how changing diesel costs are impacting their budgets. Further coverage of the survey results can be […]