Alex Robinson being sworn into the NAPT Hall of Fame with sponsoring organization Zum and NAPT leadership.
Hall of Fame Ceremony
The Hall of Fame ceremony stood out as a deeply moving highlight, honoring Alexandra Robinson, M. Ed., CDPT, as the sole 2025 inductee. Her induction represents the highest honor NAPT can bestow, reserved for individuals of exceptional integrity, influence, and long-term commitment to the student transportation profession. Alex Robinson’ s selection reflects her extraordinary career and her tireless advocacy for her peers and the Association. Over more than three decades, she rose through roles ranging from crisis intervention specialist to executive director of New York City’ s Office of Pupil Transportation— making her the longest-serving leader in that role. Her journey also includes leadership in Florida and California, and since 2020, international consulting in regions such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, India, and China. In an interview with School BUSRide, Robinson expressed deep humility, noting her admiration for past Hall of Fame inductees like Linda Bluth, Don Carnahan, Ed Donn, and Bill Paul. She reflected on the unglamorous but essential hours of volunteer leadership, calling her induction“ incredible” and crediting the recognition to years of service that many do not necessarily see. Robinson also recalled her proudest NAPT achievements: co-founding the LED( Leading Every Day) leadership program, which fosters mentor-mentee growth and real-world problem solving; strengthening NAPT’ s professional development courses to make them more practical; and launching the global initiative, which connects transportation leaders across continents. She also highlighted her work founding Women in Transportation( wit.), a network to mentor and support women in this field. Looking ahead, she challenges NAPT members to address key industry issues, especially how to elevate the value of transportation careers, deepen succession planning, and expand NAPT’ s voice in advocacy. She reminds newer professionals to“ step outside your comfort zone,” lean into diversity of thought, and remember the fundamental mission:“ None of us entered school transportation for the money. We do it because it’ s the right thing for kids.” The ceremony was a heartfelt celebration of Robinson’ s leadership, vision, and enduring impact, and a reminder that the Hall of Fame honors not just individual success, but those who lift others and advance the profession.
General Session: State of the Industry
The State of the Industry session at NAPT ACTS provided a comprehensive look at how student transportation underpins the full educational experience, especially for vulnerable students. After national-association updates from Curt Macysyn, Executive Director of NSTA, and Ronna Weber, Executive Director of NASDPTS, the conversation turned to one of the most critical challenges facing districts today: transportation support under the McKinney-Vento Act. Leading the discussion were district transportation leaders who shared real-world experiences and strategies for managing the complex needs of students who are homeless, in foster care, or otherwise in unstable living situations. Rosalyn Vann-Jackson, MBA, CDPT( Broken Arrow Public Schools, OK), Keith Kaup, CDPT( Pearland ISD, TX), Dawnett Wright( Peninsula School District, WA), and Karim Johnson, CDPT, CSNT( Dorchester School District Four, SC), dove into how their districts honor McKinney-Vento compliance and maintain educational stability for these students. Vann-Jackson and Kaup emphasized that compliance under McKinney-Vento means lifting barriers that could prevent attendance— even when federal funding falls short. Panelists described creative transportation solutions that go beyond yellow-school-bus routes: using vans, SUVs, or mileage reimbursement; coordinating with other districts; or contracting with third-party providers. They stressed that even when outsourcing, districts must ensure rigorous safety standards, including background checks, vehicle inspections, insurance, and driver training. The panelists also tackled the financial complexity of McKinney- Vento work. Though the federal law doesn’ t always come with full funding, some states offer grants or targeted resources to help districts shoulder the cost. They discussed how to navigate contracts with providers responsibly, ensuring accountability while providing desperately needed flexibility for students. Attendees came away with practical strategies: how to build trauma-informed driver training, how to structure contracts with vendors, and how to monitor service quality. The session underscored that safe, reliable transportation is a moral imperative to support student stability, school attendance, and educational opportunity.
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