Search begins for next 'America's Best'

ALBANY, N.Y. — The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) has again sent out the call to find “America’s Best” school bus maintenance and inspection professionals.

This year’s national contest will be held Aug. 3 and 4 at Blue Bird’s plant in Fort Valley, Ga., and at a nearby fairground facility. The NAPT’s Tech/Inspect Committee arranges the event, and Bus Parts Warehouse and Zonar Systems provide sponsorship.

Participants will vie for one of two titles, “America’s Best School Bus Technician” or “America’s Best School Bus Inspector.”

The third annual competition will include a physical inspection of buses to identify defects and written tests that are developed, administered and graded by senior Automotive Service Excellence testers.

Participants attend instructional classes on technology-driven subjects such as engines, brakes and multiplex wiring systems. The agenda also includes a tour of the Blue Bird facilities.

The winning technician and inspector will receive expenses-paid trips to the 2006 NAPT conference in Kansas City, Mo., in November, where they will be recognized at an awards ceremony.

The national contest is limited to one technician and one inspector per state. Representatives from each state may be determined through a competition held by a state pupil transportation association or by decision of state officials. Residents of states that don’t hold their own competitions can apply individually.

Richard Denison, president of Bus Parts Warehouse, said that the NAPT Tech/Inspect Committee was in the process of identifying appropriate contacts in states that haven’t sent competitors to the previous competitions.

Each state planning to be represented at the contest must contact coordinator Bill Tousley before June 1. Tousley’s e-mail address is bill.tousley@farmington.k12.mi.us.