We are living in different times. The role of the federal government in educational programming and funding is changing, with new priorities and directions being advanced. These changes will have both short-term and long-term impacts on our schools and, by extension, on school transportation. Our work and our future as a profession and as an association are dependent on our ability and willingness to stand up for transportation needs and benefits.
Even a cursory look at emerging trends in federal and state education policies and funding suggests that our industry has work to do. Here is just a brief review of those trends:
• The federal government has signaled that it will reduce education funding for the coming fiscal year, and it has already withdrawn or reduced current year funding in some areas.
• Funds for IDEA and Medicaid (which support services for many students with disabilities) are being threatened with reductions or transfers to other federal agencies because the Education Department is being dismantled.
• The federal agencies are re-designing programs to accomplish different or modified goals and objectives, forcing our schools to further adjust operations and programs.
• The federal government is moving to give more power to the states in terms of program management and funding, as well as to parents in terms of choices for their children’s school attendance and even curricula.
• Numerous states are initiating new school choice and voucher programs that are diverting students and related funding away from public schools at alarming rates.
• States are demanding transportation for students at an expanded number of locations with no new funding or operational considerations, and, in some cases, penalizing schools for delays in transportation services.
• There are fewer students attending schools (and therefore in need of transportation) in many areas due to population decreases, lower birth rates, school choice programs, and migration to other states.
• Alternate service providers are presenting themselves to school districts as options to the yellow school bus in many states.
• Meanwhile, the school bus driver shortage continues unabated…
This compilation of changes and directions reflects what we are experiencing in today’s governmental and political environment. While we can agree or disagree on the merits of each development, the fact is that they are happening. As professionals, it’s important that we understand their implications and identify constructive ways to respond and address them.
I witnessed many of these moments in my time as a lobbyist in New York. One of the roles a lobbyist plays is briefing clients on trends and emerging issues that would affect their association members and their professions. Those conversations can often be uncomfortable as they often focused on existential issues for their professions or businesses.
But once the issue and its implications were grasped, it was time to move on to identify strategies to address those trends. The key to those strategies always centered around the willingness of the association members to dedicate themselves to protect their profession and the good things they brought to society…or schools.
Those instincts surfaced as I considered what is going on today in education and school transportation. I have been involved as an advocate for pupil transportation since late 1995 and I have seen many changes and challenges over those years. I have also seen this industry step up big time to face and address many difficult challenges (e.g., ultra-low sulfur fuel, entry level driver training, seat belts, accident responses, anti-idling rules, homeless transportation, and more). It seems clear that we need to begin an industry-wide effort to defend against adverse changes and to bolster the public’s understanding of what we do daily for America’s children.
Which brings us to the point of this article and discussion: Education and public schools have been the subject of concern and criticism over many years. In recent years, the call for alternatives to traditional public schools has grown louder and more aggressive. Those criticisms and attacks will continue for certain.
At the same time, pupil transportation, as we know it, is being threatened by those budget cuts and new rules. We are affected by reductions in local tax capacity and declining student enrollments and my demands for transportation to alternate school sites. We are affected by reductions in Medicaid and IDEA funding that helps support our services for students with disabling conditions and more. The need to influence these and other developments is real and requires us not to be silent; but to be persistently vocal. As transportation administrators, we have adapted to whatever challenges presented themselves. We can and will do that again.
What can be done to address the impacts on school transportation of these emerging trends in education and education funding? The first step is to acknowledge that it is happening and that it presents a real and present threat to our work and our profession. It’s time to stand up tall as a profession and ensure that our work can continue safely and viably.
What might that mean for us as an association and as a confederation of state and national associations?
Making This a Priority for Us All
As a profession and as an association, we view the current situation as urgent and will collaborate with our partners for a collective effort. We cannot take our eyes off the ball or let ourselves be lulled into complacency. The threats are real and present. The challenges promise to be steep as the national-level changes take effect and evolve over time. As we do when facing operational hurdles every day, we will all need to find ways to engage to protect the profession we value and hold dear.
Promoting the Benefits of the Yellow School Bus
Transportation professionals do amazing things every single day—some have called it a miracle! Regrettably, we have never been good at thumping our chests and sharing the benefits of what we do.
A crucial element in our efforts will be to document and promote the benefits that are safe school transportation brings to students, schools and communities. We transport some 25 million students, including students with disabilities, students who are homeless or in foster care, student athletes and more.
We also need to educate the public on the rigorous steps we take to ensure safety for our children. Our efforts related to driver readiness and vehicle safety are extensive and demonstrate how we keep school bus travel both safe and efficient.
Partnering at the State, Local and National Levels
This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. The industry must reach out to and engage our partners to support our efforts. First, this includes all of us in the profession, whether we are administrators, trainers, dispatchers, drivers, aides, and whether we are school-based or private contractors. We will need to educate our colleagues on the issues we face and help them devise strategies for their productive engagement.
Moreover, our outreach and partnering must bring in school boards, school superintendents, business officials, PTAs, unions, manufacturers, suppliers and other service providers. All of us have a stake in this moment, and all of us must play a part.
Getting Our Message Out and Our Voices Heard
Too often, Washington and the states make decisions that do not include our input and knowledge. We believe it is important for our members to be ‘in the room’ or ‘at the table’ and that takes organization and preparation. NAPT can provide that level of guidance and support for our members and state associations.
We will more effectively utilize traditional media, social media, conferences and educational programs, and more to tell our story and to ensure our voices are heard.
Our work with AASA (the Superintendents Association) offers venues for such input and representation at the highest levels of our government and we will collaborate closely with them.
We will also strive to energize and empower our state associations to expand their advocacy roles at their state levels. They are a key to any success we attain.
All Hands-on Deck!
NAPT is committed to supporting our members and further strengthening the capacity of our state associations to take up the charge. The notion of a team-effort has never been more relevant. Our efforts will include mutually supportive marketing and educational materials as well as public forums, webinars, conference sessions, legislative venues, and media opportunities. We will work with our state associations to engage in member-based advocacy at their levels. The time is now.
Closing
School transportation systems transport more than 25 million children to their education and then back to their families every single day. NO ONE ELSE can boast of such numbers, especially with such a record of success and safety.
Join NAPT in accepting the challenge to ensure that yellow school bus transportation remains viable and recognized for the services and benefits we bring to our schools and students. The yellow bus is among the greatest of American icons. It’s our job to keep it that way!
A first step: If you are reading this but are not a member of NAPT and a state association, take a moment to apply to join us. We are here for you and ready to support your work and your professional development.
Peter Mannella (pfman5@gmail.com) is chair of the NAPT Public Policy Committee.