School Transportation Nation podcast

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See the latest stories, videos, webinars and photo galleries on green bus updates, safety, crashes, heroic bus drivers, Love the Bus Month and more at stnonline.com/news . “They say, ‘It feels like you’re driving my bus!’” Cor’Darius Jones, school bus driver for Escambia County Schools in Florida, shares how he became the popular “ Mr. Bus Drive r” online and discusses leveraging social media to showcase the importance of the yellow bus and recruit drivers. Read more about drivers .…

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It’s Not Business, It’s Personal: Alabama District Talks Transportation Collaboration 53:51

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Tony and Taylor are back, discussing news headlines and why it’s valuable to attend conferences like the upcoming STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I didn’t know you could get an award for doing something you liked already,” Superintendent Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr. said of a childhood reading award that draws parallels to his current nomination for Super of the Year from AASA, The School Superintendents Association. He and Transportation Director Kevin Snowden discuss the passion, care, technology and collaboration that serves the students at Jefferson County Schools in Alabama. Read more about leadership . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.…

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Seeking Clarity: Federal Shakeups, Why Transportation-Superintendent Synergy Matters 47:27

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School districts and transportation departments seek clarity on tariff impacts, federal funding sources, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency raids on or around school buses. “You need the money there to attract people in – but when they come in and you have good people, you need that culture there to keep them.” Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, superintendent of Peoria Public Schools District 150 in Illinois, is a finalist for the AASA Superintendent of the Year award. Transportation Director Joshua Collins pulls back the curtain on how the district smoothly collaborates to retain school bus drivers and support student success goals. Read more about leadership . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.…

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Internet is Foundational: Why Universal Services Fund Matters to School Buses 53:52

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Ryan and Tony discuss potential school bus industry shifts in response to U.S. presidential moves on zero-emissions and tariffs, shed light on misleading headlines, and review OEM business updates. AASA: The School Superintendents Association is on the front lines fighting for education and student service in the U.S. Supreme Court. Noelle Ellerson Ng, AASA associate executive director of advocacy & governance, analyzes a pending case questioning the constitutionality of the Universal Services Fund, which in part funds E-Rate, school bus Wi-Fi and homework access for students in rural areas. Read more about government . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.…

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Pre-Trip Yourself: Green Bus Funding Anxiety, Promoting Emotional Intelligence 49:36

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Headlines reflect how U.S. states, school districts, and manufacturers are navigating new funding and emissions rules from the Trump presidential administration. Mitzii Smith is the assistant director of transportation for Maine School Administrative District 6, a Maine School Safety Specialist, president-elect of the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation, and a 2024 STN Rising Star. She discusses running propane buses, promoting emotional intelligence to support staff, and what she’s looking forward to at STN EXPO Charlotte in March. Read more about operations .…

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In the People Business: Underscoring & Improving School Bus Safety 50:26

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STN EXPO East in Charlotte, North Carolina, is approaching fast, a NASDPTS paper espoused the safety of school buses over alternative transportation, and student transportation organizations tackle safety issues like illegal passing. David Poag, a 2024 STN Rising Star and director of transportation for Spartanburg School District 6 in South Carolina, shares how he leverages his business and sociology experience to stay fully staffed and keep students safe. Read more about operations . Episode sponsor: Transfinder…

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Unhoused & Undocumented: Serving Students No Matter Their Status 42:18

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We analyze concern over possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids at bus stops, an increase in the number of McKinney-Vento students, and the incoming Trump administration’s impact on green vehicle mandates. Transfinder President & CEO Antonio Civitella joins us for a review of 2024 technology trends and a look ahead to 2025, including special experiences planned for the upcoming STN EXPO East in Charlotte, NC, and the company’s Annual Client Summit. Did you know? One in three students who receive school transportation are taking a bus routed using Transfinder technology. Read more about technology . Episode sponsor: Transfinder.…

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On the Court, Field, Ice, or Bus: Sports Principles for Outperforming the Norm 42:14

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Analysis on the series of wildfires that rocked the Los Angeles area, school bus manufacturing data, and OEM developments. Scott Welle, author, consultant and upcoming STN EXPO Charlotte keynote speaker, discusses his background and passion for training others to “outperform the norm” in their personal lives as well as the line of work they are in. Read more about business . Episode sponsor: Transfinder…

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2024 in Review: Top STN Online News Articles 38:04

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The stnonline.com website was abuzz in 2024. Learn what news reports student transporters were most interested in and hear Tony and Ryan’s analysis on what the school bus industry can learn about safety and training from the tragic and noteworthy moments. Read more at stnonline.com/news .

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2024 in Review: Top STN Magazine Articles 53:47

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It was a packed year for School Transportation News magazine. Tony and Ryan review the top article in each monthly issue and what student transporters have to say about their operations and challenges. Read more at stnonline.com/digital-editions .

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Dynamic Issues: Lessons From 60-Year Industry Veteran + Zonar CEO Interview 1:00:22

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Industry expert, NAPT Hall of Famer, TSD Tenured Faculty Member, and consultant Linda Bluth, Ed.D joins us for the first time on the podcast to share insights on students with special needs. She addresses the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), departmental collaboration, aides, alternative transportation, substitute drivers, training and more. New Zonar CEO Charles Kriete discusses the technology provider’s combination with GPS Trackit, as well as efficiencies and innovations planned for the future. Read more about special needs and leadership .…

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Time Will Tell: Shakeups in the School Bus Business World (+ TBB CEO Interview) 47:49

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Ryan and Tony analyze headlines including Lion Electric’s reduction of electric school bus manufacturing, technology provider Zonar’s acquisition by GPS Trackit, and what such developments mean for the industry. T.J. Reed, the new president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, joins us to discuss his vision for the company and exciting future innovations. Join us at STN EXPO Charlotte for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Thomas Built Buses C2 Plant in High Point, N.C. Learn more at stnexpo.com/east . Read more about leadership .…

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Lives in Our Hands: Danger Zone Safety, Rising Star Talks Driver Training 54:28

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Safety lessons the industry can learn from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Loading & Unloading Survey and illegal school bus passing report to Congress, as well as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse recommendations. Joshua Wilson, former transportation director, national director of student transportation for Specialized Education Services, and a 2024 STN Rising Star, leverages his expertise in driver training to analyze the school bus driver shortage, alternative transportation, and more. Read more about leadership .…

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TSD 2024 Recap: Supporting Students with Special Needs as Unique People 1:05:32

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Keynote trainers and conversations at the TSD Conference and Trade Show last week focused on seeing students with special needs as people first and consistently supporting them in their distinctive requirements. “I always ask: ‘Is this in the best interest of the kid?’” Dana Rosen, TSD keynote speaker and assistant director of transportation services for student safety and support for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Texas, shares how she uses her special education background to support both transportation staff and students with special needs on the school bus ride. Read more about special needs . Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School-Radio.…

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Onsite at TSD 2024: Solving Pain Points for Students with Special Needs 48:34

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