Make the System Better: Safety Leadership Training & D.C. Insider on Disability Supports
Release Date: 10/07/2025
Green Evolution: Clean Bus, Fuel Choice Updates for Transportation Directors
School Transportation Nation
We examine the impact of the war in Iran and Clean School Bus program updates on district fuel choices, as well as a Pennsylvania school bus driver arrested after driving over 50 students while intoxicated. We are joined by Nate Springer, vice president of market development at TRC Companies, the presenter of the upcoming Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) EXPO. He unpacks the reasoning behind various fuel choices available to school districts today and funding options amid changes to the Clean School Bus program. Read more about . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, EverDriven.
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Deep Dive into Safety: Illegal Passing & Child Restraints, Plus Green Bus Funding
School Transportation Nation
We unpack the National Action Plan for School Bus Safety which sheds light on the non-fatal effects of illegal passing, as well as transportation director comments on green buses during a recent EPA Clean School Bus webinar. Denise Donaldson, the editor and publisher of Safe Ride News Publications and a frequent trainer at and the , previews her workshop on when to use child safety restraint systems (CSRS) in school buses or alternative vehicles. Read more about . Episode sponsors:Transfinder, EverDriven.
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Technology Has Blossomed: School Bus Mirrors & Student Safety
School Transportation Nation
More updates on green bus funding from the EPA via the Clean School Bus Program. Plus, we dive into our on optimization and efficiency, whose cover features the smiling school bus team from Loudoun County in Virginia. We see mirrors on school buses every day, but how much have you thought about the decisions behind their placement? Dave McDonald, president of Safe Bus Consulting and retired executive vice president for Rosco Vision Systems, discusses everything from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 111 to driver distraction, plus techniques and technology for student safety in...
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Something That’s Going to Work: Federal Updates + Future of School Bus Communications
School Transportation Nation
We consider what recent headlines mean to the school transportation industry: proposed updates to the Clean School Bus Program, Blue Bird fully acquiring Micro Bird, Trump tariffs being struck down and safety conversations at this March. Mike Ippolito, chief operating officer of School Radio, discusses the future of bus communications – including multi-carrier SIM cards and satellites – and what school districts looking to the future should know to maximize safety and efficiency. Real-world emergency scenarios and radio as a service are also examined. Read more about . Episode sponsors:...
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Boots to Buses: Military Formed Georgia Student Transportation Leader
School Transportation Nation
We discuss the potential impact of the national jobs report on school district budgets, the DOT’s non-domiciled CDL final rule and cutting-edge technology takeaways from the Geotab Connect conference. “It’s all about service: I went from servicing my country to now servicing my community.” Bernando Brown, director of student transportation for DeKalb County School District in Georgia, shares how his military experience shaped his work ethic, leadership style and focus on training and mentorship. He also discusses handling retention, budgeting and operational challenges. Read more...
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Community, Not Individual: Maine Superintendent Collaborates for Student, Staff Success
School Transportation Nation
Insights on national school bus contractor First Student’s purchase of Chicago area contractor Cook Illinois Corp., the Blue Bird 2026 Q1 earnings report, and a California study on lap/shoulder seatbelt efficacy. “Make sure the right people are on the right seats on the bus.” Heather Perry, superintendent of Schools for Maine’s Gorham Public Schools, was named as one of four finalists for the 2026 National Superintendent of the Year Award by AASA, The School Superintendents Association. She discusses her leadership journey, winter transportation operations, the value of collaboration...
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Emergencies & Training: Lessons Learned From Texas School Bus Crash
School Transportation Nation
The February edition of STN magazine is out, where we continue discussions on the oversight of autonomous vehicles and alternative student transportation. Plus, sign up for school bus inspection training and many more learning opportunities at in Charlotte, North Carolina, this March. In the aftermath of a high-profile school bus rollover last August at Leander Independent School District in Central Texas, Director of Transportation Tracie Franco talks lessons learned in emergency response, lap-shoulder seatbelt enforcement, first responder collaboration and staff training. Read more about ....
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Fighting For Every Dollar: Transportation Funding & Education Access
School Transportation Nation
We cover a harsh winter ice storm, takeaways from the 2026 NSTA Midwinter Meeting, updates to the U.S. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program and illegal passing by Waymo autonomous vehicles. Industry consultant Tim Ammon gives tips for transportation budgeting and business efficiency while maximizing educational access for students. He will lead sessions at STN EXPO East this March in Charlotte-Concord, North Carolina. Read more about . Episode sponsor: Transfinder.
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Ideas, People & Solutions: Three-Pronged Approach to ‘Danger Zone’ Safety
School Transportation Nation
Ryan and Taylor discuss upcoming student transportation awards, the NTSB investigation of a fatal school bus dragging, and a Florida bus aide arrested for child abuse. “Education, engineering and enforcement.” Student safety is a passion of Derek Graham, an industry consultant and former state director of pupil transportation with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as well as past president of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS). He joins us to discuss NASDPTS’ annual illegal passing survey and additional safety efforts...
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2026 Kicks Off: Winter Weather, the World Stage & Rock ‘n Roll Leadership
School Transportation Nation
Back-from-break headlines cover winter weather conditions, rockstars and leadership at STN EXPO East, updates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and what impact recent developments in Venezuela could have on the school bus industry. Keynote speaker and best-selling author Jim Knight, who rubbed shoulders with musicians and celebrities during his tenure with Hard Rock International, discusses building a student transportation brand and improving workplace culture. He will present a keynote and Transportation Director training at in Charlotte, North Carolina this March. Read all...
info_outlineAnalysis on upcoming TSD Conference education, National Association for Pupil Transportation election results, the Federal Brake for Kids Act and the Federal Communications Commission revoking E-Rate eligibility of school bus Wi-Fi.
Jeff Cassell, president of the School Bus Safety Company, discusses the need for safety leadership training, removing risk and reducing accidents in student transportation.
Glenna Wright-Gallo, vice president of policy at neurotechnology software company Everway, has worked at the state government level and served as the assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. At the TSD Conference this November, she brings her perspective as a person with a disability on educating and empowering individuals with disabilities.
Read more about safety and special needs.
Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Bus Safety Co. & RIDE.