FROM THE NAPT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO
Still Learning, Still Leading
By Molly McGee-Hewitt, PhD, CAE NAPT Executive Director & CEO
Welcome to the May 2026 issue of School BUSRide!
One of the things I value most about our industry is that we never stop learning.
Student transportation is constantly evolving. New challenges emerge, technology continues to change, leadership expectations grow, and every school year brings new opportunities to improve how we serve students.
That is one of the reasons School BUSRide continues to matter. Our official magazine is a part of the NAPT culture and history. Starting in 2020, School BUSRide continues to evolve alongside our industry, providing conversations, insights, and perspectives designed specifically for the student transportation community.
Our members often share that they have little time to eat so making time to read a magazine may seem a stretch, but it should not be as there is no one way to enjoy it! Our magazine is written with you and only you in mind! Read it to begin your day or throughout the day and then when you are finished, pass it on!
We live in an information rich era. Information moves quickly today. Between conferences, webinars, publications, online learning, and evolving technology, there is always something new shaping our profession.
One of the things I value most about our industry is that there is rarely only one path forward. Every district, operation, and community faces different needs, challenges, and opportunities. That is why the articles and perspectives shared throughout School BUSRide are intended to educate, inform, and encourage thoughtful discussion— not prescribe a single way to operate. Whether the conversation involves diesel, electric, alternative fuels, technology, or operational strategies, NAPT remains committed to supporting transportation leaders with information that helps them make the best decisions for the students and communities they serve.
Our goal is twofold, first and foremost to support and promote student safety and secondly, to help our members develop and thrive as public servant leaders. We believe our goals are compatible and complement each other.
Real leadership creates real outcomes.
In student transportation, those outcomes are measured in safe rides, supported students, trusted teams, and communities that rely on us every single day.
I hope you enjoy this month’ s issue and take something meaningful from it— whether that is a new idea, a fresh perspective, or simply the reminder that you are part of a profession filled with passionate people doing important work every day.
And as always, I hope to see many of you as we continue the road toward ACTS26. With love, respect, and a knowing nod, Molly school-busride. com VOL. 7, NUMBER 5
Dr. Molly McGee-Hewitt NAPT Executive Director & CEO molly @ napt. org
Angela Kelly NAPT Director of Marketing & Events angela @ napt. org
Richard G. Tackett Editor in Chief rtackett @ school-busride. com
Judi Victor Publisher jvfly @ school-busride. com
Stephen Gamble Art Director sgamble @ school-busride. com
Mitch Larson Business & Accounting Manager mlarson @ school-busride. com
A publication of:
Power Trade Media PO Box 82, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 school-busride. com
Paid advertisements appear from time to time in National Association for Pupil Transportation ®( NAPT ®) publications, including print and other digital formats. An advertisement for any specific product, service or entity DOES NOT constitute an endorsement or recommendation of that product, service or entity by School BUSRide™, NAPT ® or the NAPT ® Foundation, Inc. The views and opinions expressed by advertisers or individuals that work for or are otherwise affiliated with advertisers in our publications( including current or former Board members) do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of School BUSRide™, NAPT ® or the NAPT ® Foundation, Inc. School BUSRide ™, NAPT ® and the NAPT ® Foundation, Inc. reserve the right to refuse, reject or cancel any ad for any reason at any time, without liability, so paid advertising does not influence NAPT ® policy.
School BUSRide ™ Magazine is published 12 times annually by Power Trade Media, PO Box 82, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 Subscription rates for non-qualified subscribers, single issue prices and pricing for reprints of 100 or more are available from: info @ school-busride. com. All articles in School BUSRide ™ Magazine be deemed an endorsement by Power Trade Media, and no warranty is made or implied. Information is obtained from sources the editors believe reliable, accurate and timely, but is not guaranteed, and Power Trade Media is not responsible for errors or omissions. Opinions expressed in School BUSRide ™ Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsors or advertisers. Content addressing legal, tax and other technical issues is not intended as professional advice and cannot be relied on as such; readers should consult with their own professional advisors.
6 | SCHOOL-BUSRIDE. COM | MAY 2026