Many years ago, schools nationwide began their academic year right after Labor Day, wrapping up in early to mid-June. During the summer months, most individuals in student transportation took vacations during the summer months and then began preparation for the upcoming school year. At some point, this dynamic changed significantly.
NAPT Executive Director and CEO
Many schools are now open for the new school year starting in early August in some parts of the country. Summer school or year-round programs require our services during the summer months, leading to the development of a 24/7 student transportation system. While I am always embracing changes, this transition comes with a price tag! Ongoing logistical challenges such as maintenance, routing, hiring, and training create significant concerns, leaving little time for rest and preparation for some of our colleagues. It’s a fast-paced environment where you jump right in and keep moving without a break!
At the beginning of my career, a mentor imparted a valuable lesson: our professional journeys resemble a marathon rather than a sprint. We need to be agile, quick, and smart enough to understand that we are in this for the long run and not just a short and fast race. In today’s fast-paced world, this advice may seem contradictory! Although our environment has certainly become more complex, the wisdom from years past remains relevant. The only change is that we often find ourselves playing the roles of both sprinters and marathoners!
NAPT members understand this concept very well! They recognize that the operations they oversee are continuous and ever evolving. They must be prepared not only for the sprint like operations like the start of school but the marathon race that is the entire year and beyond.
So without further ado, welcome to September and the continuation of the student transportation marathon! Kudos on the amazing start of the 24-25 school year! Thank you for running the race with dignity and professionalism!
With love, respect, and a knowing nod,
Molly