November 2:
Peter opened the session with humor and honesty, acknowledging the weight of federal updates:“ You’ re going to hear some good news today, and you’ re going to hear some bad news. Mostly bad news.” He highlighted leadership changes within key federal agencies, noting the appointment of Derek Barrs at FMCSA and Jonathan Morrison at NHTSA, the latter already“ completely engaged” on school bus safety and illegal passing issues. From there, the update turned to major federal policy trends with direct consequences for districts. Mannella outlined proposals to consolidate numerous education grant programs into state-controlled block grants, warning that once consolidated,“ you start to see a reduction in the funding” over time. He also noted growing concern over federal-level voucher initiatives, which could drive students to a wider array of schools and dramatically increase routing complexity:“ The implication for you is more doors to drop kids off at … where are you going to get the drivers and the vehicles to do it?” A significant portion of the discussion centered on the ongoing federal shutdown and its impact on education staffing, including furloughs across special education offices. Mannella also emphasized potential cuts to IDEA-related programs and warned that states“ can only backfill for so long” before funding shortages reach transportation operations directly. He reinforced NAPT’ s advocacy efforts, announcing that the NAPT Board voted to endorse the Break for Kids Act, which would mandate a nationwide public education campaign on illegal passing.“ We are going to ask you to reach out to your congressional delegations,” he told attendees, urging grassroots participation to move the bill forward. Following the policy review, Molly McGee-Hewitt addressed attendees, emphasizing both the value of federal partnerships and the limitations imposed by the shutdown, which prevented invited regulators from participating in person. She affirmed that many have already agreed to join future webinars. She also stressed concern about federal shifts that could“ put kids at risk,” particularly in special needs funding, an area where federal commitments have historically fallen short. The session culminated with the unveiling of NAPT’ s new national advocacy initiative, Driven Together, a multi-month campaign designed to raise public understanding of the yellow school bus, elevate industry voices, and strengthen policy influence at every level.
Through interactive discussion and scenario-based activities, attendees explored what students need most on the bus: predictability, clear expectations, supportive relationships, and adults who stay calm and confident even in challenging moments. The sessions also focused heavily on communication: between drivers and students, between transportation and school staff, and across district departments. Participants discussed how consistent language, shared expectations, and documentation tools can keep teams aligned. Walker emphasized that drivers cannot manage student behavior alone; strong cross-department collaboration is essential for sustainable support.
November 2:
Managing Student Behavior: A Three-Part Interactive Learning Experience
The new three-part Managing Student Behavior workshop series debuted at NAPT ACTS with an energetic and highly practical introduction to one of the most persistent challenges in school transportation: maintaining safe, consistent, and positive behavior from the moment students board the school bus. Led by Stephanie Walker, CDPT, CSPT, CSNT, CPTS, Transportation Coordinator for Habersham County Board of Education( GA), along with members of NAPT’ s Special Needs Advisory Committee, the session set the stage for a comprehensive three-part learning experience designed specifically for transportation teams. The workshop opened by grounding participants in a shared understanding of why behavior management matters. It is not merely a discipline issue, Walker emphasized; it is a safety imperative, a climate-building opportunity, and a key factor in student success. Every driver interaction— from greetings at the bus steps to conflict resolution in the back rows— shapes student behavior and sets the tone for the ride.
Beyond the Bus: Navigating the Road Between the School Bus and Necessary Alternative Transportation
This workshop offered a timely and insightful exploration of how districts are adapting to an evolving student transportation landscape. Moderated by Teena Mitchell, CDPT, CSNT, Transportation Coordinator for Greenville County Schools( SC), the session brought together a panel of experienced leaders, including Katrina Morris, Executive Director of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation; Dawnett Wright, Director of Transportation for Peninsula School District( WA); and Don Paul Todd, Transportation Supervisor for Washington Township Board of Education( NJ).
18 | SCHOOL-BUSRIDE. COM | NOVEMBER 2025