Every five years, the pupil transportation industry convenes for one of the most consequential events in student safety and operations: the National Congress on School Transportation (NCST). Held in Des Moines, Iowa, the 2025 Congress marked the first session in a decade following the cancellation of the 2020 meeting due to COVID-19. The extended hiatus heightened anticipation and urgency, as delegates, committee members, and observers came together to update the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures manual (commonly referred to as “the book”).
Among the most deeply involved in this landmark event were members of the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT). From writing committee leaders and technical experts to state delegates and board representatives, NAPT members shaped the Congress with decades of insight, a commitment to best practices, and a clear-eyed focus on student safety.
Ground-Level Engagement: Technical and Writing Committees
Teena Mitchell, CDPT, CSNT, NAPT President and Special Needs Transportation Coordinator at Greenville County Schools in South Carolina, served on three writing committees: Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers; Transporting Students with Disabilities; and Specially Equipped Specifications; as well as the Technical Assistance Committee.
“That was almost an 18-month process,” Mitchell said. “We had to incorporate what was submitted in 2020 but not accepted, and then make our changes for 2025. We also had to take any proposals that come from the states and consider that and whether we’re accepting it or denying it as well. It was a constant communication.”
Mitchell’s work on the Technical Assistance Committee put her on the front lines during Congress deliberations.
“If something comes to the floor that is unclear as far as how it would affect the nation as a whole—financially, legally, or technically—it’s sent to us,” she said. “We research it, bring in specialists if needed, and then we make a determination to take back out to the chair.”
Mitchell’s close collaborator, Alex Spann, CDPT, the Tennessee Department of Education’s Student Transportation Manager and NAPT Region 2 Director, was also active in both NCST and NAPT leadership. Tennessee’s adoption of the NCST manual is nearly wholesale, with a state-specific addendum, Spann said.
“We adopt almost in whole the manual… and then we take certain things and go above and beyond that are suited to our specific needs,” Spann said.
He added that the Congress was crucial for updating standards to keep pace with industry changes.
“Technology changes so quickly,” he said. “Somebody once told me that things have never changed this fast before, and they’ll never be this slow again. This Congress is helping us catch up.”
Legacy and Leadership
Peter Lawrence, Ed.D, CDPT, NAPT Region 1 Director and Senior Consultant at Pupil Transportation Safety Institute, served as a delegate for New York and vice chair of the Editing Committee.
“Each Congress gets better and more refined,” he said. “There’s more work done on the backend before it starts, and that’s helped improve the flow. It’s impressive to see the cordial attitude and collegial interactions among states and delegates.”
Lawrence’s long-term commitment to the Congress reflects NAPT’s values of continuity and institutional knowledge.
“It’s an honor and pleasure to serve on the state delegation,” he said. “There’s a lot of very like-minded people who are committed to the safety of the students we transport.”
Keith Kaup, CDPT, President-Elect and Director of Transportation at Pearland ISD in Texas, echoed Lawrence’s thoughts. He first attended NCST in 2015 as an alternate delegate.
“It was one of those awe-inspiring moments,” he said. “You always heard about ‘the book,’ but to actually see what went into the development of it was really an honor.”
For this Congress, he served again as a delegate for Texas.
“Being that it’s been 10 years since the book has been revised, just raising awareness of the standards by which we operate, the guiding principles, the best practices, is so important,” Kaup said. “We need to make sure that what’s there reflects the current needs of our students and safe operational standards for our industry.”
Delegates Provide a Cohesive Voice
School BUSRide spoke with the delegation from Massachusetts, a diverse team of dedicated professionals including Drew Damien; Joy Winnie, CDPT; Tammy Lieber; and Mark Gauthier—all of whom are NAPT members.
Drew Damien, Transportation Manager at Tantasqua Regional School District, described the Congress as “an awesome opportunity” and his first time participating.
“We have an opportunity to bring some hopefully standardization amongst the states,” he said. “We’re small states all tucked together. So, this gives us something to aspire to.”
Joy Winnie, who recently retired from Worcester Public Schools and is a long-time NAPT-certified director, said the Congress allowed her to pass the torch.
“Being part of the new regulations makes me feel better retiring, knowing our kids are going to be in safe hands,” she said.
Tammy Lieber, Transportation Supervisor at Northampton Public Schools, emphasized how the updated language around technology and best practices would have a long-term impact.
“We’ve updated things anyways, and now we’re getting the language behind us to back up some of the stuff we’ve dabbled in,” she said. “We’re trying to play catch-up but also looking at the future.”
Mark Gauthier, School Transportation Program Manager for the Massachusetts RMV, attended his first Congress after decades in private-sector transportation.
“We certainly want to make sure that Massachusetts has a voice moving forward,” Gauthier said. “I think in the past we really weren’t represented.”
Grounded in Safety and Flexibility
Keith Henry, CDPT, Executive Director of the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation and a member of both the NAPT Foundation Board and the NCST Steering Committee, emphasized balanced standards.
“I want to make sure Missouri’s following some standards but also has the flexibility to meet the individual needs of the school district,” Henry said. “Most of the changes being made are toward electrification and clarifying existing standards. It’s a rolling update.”
Kenny Mulder, Director of Transportation for Special School District of St. Louis County and a former Missouri state president, agreed.
“We use it as a basic guideline, but then create our own practice procedure,” Mulder said. “Exposure is key. If you’re just getting started, coming to something like this is a great experience.”
First-Time Voices: Fresh Perspectives
Anthony Shields, Director of Transportation at San Marcos CISD in Texas and a Texas Association for Pupil Transportation Area Director, attended his first Congress as both a delegate and vice chair of the General Operations Writing Committee.
“It’s an 18-month process,” Shields said. “A lot of research goes into every single page in that book. The biggest watershed moment for me was seeing how every state is different in how they operate, but on the same token, everyone is the same in many ways.”
Jeremy Wardle, Director of Transportation at Canyons School District in Utah and President of the Utah Association for Pupil Transportation, was invited by his state director.
“It’s been really interesting,” he said. “Being part of this has given me perspectives I never would’ve thought of.”
Megan Elsberry, IEP/504/McKinney-Vento Liaison & Routing Coordinator at Cleveland ISD, Texas, was part of the Special Needs Operations Writing Committee.
“I’ve known about the Congress since I was five,” she said. “It’s a really great experience to actually be here,” as Megan’s mother has been a part of Pupil Transportation since 1994.
Decades of Expertise: Veteran Contributions
Theresa Anderson, General Operations Writing Committee chair and past NAPT Board member, has contributed to NCST since 2005.
“It never fails to surprise you what becomes a big discussion,” Anderson said. “You think it’s just one word… 40 minutes later, you’re still trying to find a compromise.”
Alex Robinson, M.Ed., CDPT, past NAPT President and chair of the Special Needs Operations Writing Committee, has been involved since the 1990s.
“This is the first time I’ve been here without being a delegate,” she said. “It’s a much different experience. Still, it’s heartwarming to see representatives from so many states.”
Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, CDPT, Region 4 Director for NAPT and a veteran of the General Operations Committee since 2010, appreciated the national dialogue.
“We have an umbrella in federal law, but state-specific items can make things more difficult,” Vann-Jackson said. “It’s good to see compromise in real time.”
Maritza Valentin, Affiliate Member Director for NAPT and National Contract Manager at AMF-Bruns of America, said attending in-person for the first time was eye-opening.
“I’ve been involved since 2005, but never physically attended,” she said. “I wanted to see how each section moves forward.”
A Future-Facing Congress
Throughout the Congress, NAPT Executive Director and CEO Molly McGee-Hewitt, PhD, CAE, was a steady voice advocating for outreach and visibility.
“I do see a huge turnover in our industry,” she said. “There’s an information gap. Where are new people getting their leadership from? Being here is a great start.”
McGee-Hewitt underscored the importance of reaching school boards and superintendents.
“You don’t get fired over test scores, but you do get fired over the mishandling of a bus accident,” she said. “We need to educate them.”
From legacy leaders to first-time delegates, NAPT members brought experience, insight, and collaboration to NCST 2025. Their participation not only ensured the integrity of national best practices, but also highlighted the enduring strength of the association as a guiding force in school transportation.