Headlines on the 2025 National Association for Pupil Transportation award winners, a new study on the financial savings of electric school buses, and the clean fuel choices districts are making.

“Our work is nowhere near done.” Mother and educator Michele Gay joins us for a heartfelt conversation about her daughter with special needs, losing her in the 2014 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, subsequently co-founding Safe and Sound Schools, the continued need for classroom and bus safety advocacy, and her upcoming TSD Conference keynote.

Read more about special needs.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School-Radio.

Tony and Ryan discuss regulatory updates, the importance of vendor partnerships, a sensationalized incident involving a Texas school bus, and this year’s Garage Stars.

Charles Chilton, vice president and general manager of IC Bus, discusses his engineering and school bus driver background, navigating the uncertain clean bus market, and supporting IC Bus customers.

Read more about OEMs.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus.

More EPA regulatory changes in the truck and bus market prompt continuing clean fuel conversations. Also, learn more about the crucial training at the upcoming Transporting Students with Disabilities & Special Needs Conference and Trade Show.

Kara Sands, transportation lead trainer and driver at Hanover Community Schools Corporation in Indiana, was selected to receive the inaugural Dick Fischer School Bus Safety Scholarship for STN EXPO West this year. She discusses ways to promote safe school bus operations and her takeaways from STN EXPO.

Read more about safety.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus. 

Ryan and Taylor evaluate a U.S. Department of Energy report questioning electric grid safety and share breaking news on the TSD Conference.

New York contractor Suffolk Transportation was recently honored with the National School Transportation Association’s Contractor of the Year award. Assistant Vice Presidents Joseph and Johnny Corrado, along with Chief Operating Officer Tommy Smith, discuss upholding the family business legacy, providing students with safe service and navigating operations in an ever-modernizing environment.

Read more about operations.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus.

Big news as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency looks to eliminate greenhouse gas regulations. How will school bus manufacturers and school districts respond? Also read the new August issue of STN magazine.

Nashawn Craig, assistant director of transportation and fleet at Taylor Schools in Michigan, discusses aspects of leadership including being promoted as a younger person, retaining staff, collaborating with administration and implementing new technology.

Read more about operations.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, IC Bus.

A deep dive into the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services’ 13th National Stop Arm Violation Count as well as updates on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Funding program and electric bus manufacturer LION.

Hear from Katrina Morris, who is the transportation director for West Shore Educational Service District in Michigan, executive director of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, and this year’s Peter J. Grandolfo Memorial Award of Excellence winner. Her Proactive Response Training for School Bus Drivers is being taught in 33 states, she’s leveraging sports partnerships for student transportation visibility, and she’s dedicated to safety training for students.

Read more about safety.

This episode is brought to you by Transfinder.

Magic tricks, Wi-Fi updates, an OEM panel, data security, leadership advice, evacuation training in a smoking bus and more! Tony, Ryan and Taylor discuss highlights from STN EXPO West that wrapped up last week in Reno, Nevada.

Read more STN EXPO West coverage.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School-Radio, RIDE.

David Weber, business development manager for School-Radio, analyzes new bus radio and communication technology solutions that can optimize district operations.

Regional Sales Manager James Holtz gives us a glimpse of the innovative new electric school bus Blade Battery from RIDE.

Amidst rapid developments in the clean fuel school bus market, Francisco “Paco” Lagunas, general manager of the North American bus market for Cummins, and Richard Garvin, director of strategy and commercial business development, present answers from the energy leader.

Director of Transportation Teri Mapengo discusses operations, technology and fostering the kind of positive workplace culture that won Prosper Independent School District in Texas a Top Transportation Teams award at this week’s STN EXPO West in Reno, Nevada.

Read more STN EXPO West coverage.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School-Radio, RIDE, Cummins. 

Learn more about STN’s Innovator of Year in the new July issue and get excited for STN EXPO West this month. Additionally, Washington D.C. experiments with speed limiters.

Christopher Faust, transportation director for Sangamon Valley CUSD #9 in Illinois and a 2024 STN Rising Star, discusses leading a new district, surviving tornadoes and a windstorm that blew away part of a facility, facilitating technology and teamwork improvements, and anticipation for STN EXPO West.

Read more about operations and see the STN EXPO agenda.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, RIDE, School-Radio. 

Legislative and geopolitical updates that will affect school bus Wi-Fi, clean fuel decisions, nus manufacturing and more.

Kerry Somerville, CEO of Transportation Planning Solutions, shares tips on routing technology, AI and data security. Join him for a deep dive in his “School Bus Routing 101” session at STN EXPO West on July 11, 2025.

Read more about routing and see the STN EXPO agenda.

Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School-Radio.