Moose in the Road: Making School Bus Operations Work in Alaska
Release Date: 04/21/2026
Trying to Make A Difference: 40 Years of Service & Leadership Honored
School Transportation Nation
We discuss the postponement of the New York state electric mandate, feedback on the annual NASDPTS illegal passing survey, the impact of Daylight Savings Time conversations on students, and accolades for former STN Transportation Director of the Year Teresa Fleming of the School District of Philadelphia at Zum’s Mobility Summit. See how mentorship and teamwork star in the noteworthy career of Sandy Dillman, a longtime school transportation director and certified driver trainer who was named the 2026 Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence winner at STN EXPO West last month. Read more...
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Industry Innovation: 26-Year-Old Contractor Star & Evolving School Bus Tech
School Transportation Nation
We analyze the conversations at the National School Transportation Association’s annual convention, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study on autonomous vehicle safety, and how student transporters can respond to the evolving trends of AI and new technology. Cameron Wood, the lead electric vehicle performance analyst for school bus contractor Student Transportation of America, shares how his technical background led him to brainstorm an EV charging solution and accept the Innovator of the Year award at STN EXPO West this month. Read more about Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC...
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Recap STN EXPO West: Harmonicas, Great Gatsby, Transportation Teambuilding
School Transportation Nation
Tony, Ryan and Taylor go over the highlights from STN EXPO West last week which focused on not only skills, technology and training but also teambuilding, workplace culture and making emotional connections. Highlights included focused inspection and special needs trainings, a musical keynote, Great Gatsby and Alice in Wonderland themed networking events, multiple awards given, a Mr. Bus Driver appearance, a military leadership panel, the Green Bus Summit and Bus Technology Summit, an AI track, and the Pete & Dick Show. Read more Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus, School Radio.
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Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 2: Oregon District Tackles Driver Shortages, Student Behavior
School Transportation Nation
Nicole Wheeldon, North American general manager of buses for Cummins, and Matt McGinn, senior director of e-mobility sales for Accelera by Cummins, examine exciting product innovations and meeting customer needs amid school bus energy options, rising costs and tightened budgets. Enterprise Account Manager Chase Cloyd shares how Netradyne’s AI-driven cameras and technology take a proactive approach to school bus driver coaching, safety around the bus and incident review. Co-founder Michael Tinter reviews how the universal, easily installed Magnetic Mic radio mounts, which got their start in...
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Onsite at STN EXPO West, Pt. 1: Hear From Repeat Top Transportation Team Winners
School Transportation Nation
Communications came in #3 on procurement lists created by attendees at . Business Development Manager David Weber discusses how School Radio supports reliable communication for the professionals transporting precious cargo on school buses. Joel Stutheit, former transportation director who now serves as senior manager of Autogas business development for the Propane Education & Research Council, shares why propane makes financial and operational sense for school districts, such as Oregon’s Beaverton School District which has seen great success with the fuel. Matt Reich, who oversees...
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Put People First: School Bus Driver Shortages & Retention Advice
School Transportation Nation
Transfinder announced its annual Top Transportation Teams award winners, the industry is concerned about autonomous vehicles ignoring school bus stop arms, and two federal grants provide opportunities for school transportation emergency training. Veteran transportation leader Jim Schiffler draws on his personal and family experience in the school bus industry to offer thoughtful advice on building stronger teams and healthier workplace cultures, from company values and unions to recruitment and promotions. He’ll share more at in July. Read more about Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School...
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Student Transportation Never Sleeps: AI, Bathroom Breaks & Elephants
School Transportation Nation
Summer plans, school bus driver fatigue, diesel dominance and a student transportation safety reminder after an elephant killed a mother walking to school with her kids in India. Director of Transportation Richard Jimenez shares why AI is not something to fear and how he leverages it in his operations at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in Southern California. He will participate in a panel on the topic at this July. Read more about Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.
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Leadership & Lawbreakers: Top STN EXPO West Picks, Illegal Passing Deep Dive
School Transportation Nation
Tony and Taylor are back with their recommendations on sessions you must attend at in July. It’s a packed conference and trade show including an in-demand mentorship program, CEO Tech Talks, military-inspired leadership and the Best of the Dick & Pete Show. Dr. Michael Hout, professor of psychology and kinesiology at New Mexico State University, joins Ryan to discuss research into illegal school bus passing, effective ways to count incidents, the brains of offenders, the role of technology and AI, and his upcoming STN EXPO West session on the topic. Read more about Episode sponsors:...
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The School Bus Ecosystem: Adapting to Multi-modality & Building a Brand
School Transportation Nation
We examine a school bus shooting in Pennsylvania, how the federal BUILD 250 Act would cut Safe Streets and Roads for All funding, and transportation’s role in student absenteeism. Speaker, author and branding expert Bruce Turkel shares why it’s important for school bus operations to build a brand in an age of increasing multi-modality, discusses leveraging emotions over facts to reach the right audience, and previews his musical training in July. Read more about Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.
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Summer’s Here & So Is a Budget Cliff: Advocating for Transportation Solutions
School Transportation Nation
Summer break is upon us but student transporters are already ramping up for the new school year amid financial challenges. Plus, the of School Transportation News magazine is out, and a camera caught a scary illegal passing incident that injured a student in Florida. Ryan Hahn, owner of Strategic School Consultants and a former transportation director, sheds light on current school district financial hardships, creative and collaborative operational strategies, and his upcoming sessions on the topic at this July. Read more about Episode isponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.
info_outlineWe cover industry shoutouts, conference connections, a terrifying bus vs. train encounter and Diesel Emissions Reduction Act updates.
“One thing about transportation [is] it’s never boring.”Transportation Supervisor Melody Best offers a behind-the-scenes look at how operations are handled in Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Alaska amid adverse weather, multiple school closures, budget cuts, technology needs and even moose in the road. She also shares the benefits of participating in the STN EXPO East Mentorship Program in Charlotte, North Carolina last month.
Read more about operations.
Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio, RTA.