COLUMBUS, Ohio — Stephen W. Puchta, the Ohio State Director of Pupil Transportation, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday. He was 65.
Puchta worked for the Ohio Department of Education as the director of field services/pupil transportation. He had retired as superintendent of Upper Sandusky High School in 2006, according to his obituary.
On the funeral home website where Puchta’s obituary is posted, several members of the pupil transportation community commented on his dedication to education and transportation. One commenter referred to him as a “super transportation leader,” and another wrote that he “took over a difficult position, professionally, and did a great job for the state of Ohio.”
Puchta, who was was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Master’s degree.
Ohio State Director Passes Away Unexpectedly
Stephen W. Puchta, the Ohio State Director of Pupil Transportation, passed away unexpectedly on March 13. He was 65.
More Management
Transfinder Expands Footprint with New District Adoptions Across U.S.
Districts nationwide are adopting Transfinder’s routing, tracking, and parent apps as the company also earns its ninth Best Companies to Work for in New York honor.
Read More →
Zonar Expands Parent App to Include 2 More Languages
The Bus Suite app is now supported in French and Spanish to aid in assisting families across diverse communities.
Read More →
Blue Bird Completes Acquisition of Micro Bird, Consolidates Operations
The Georgia-based OEM has acquired Girardin Group’s stake in the 50/50 Micro Bird joint venture, bringing the business fully under one brand, one team and one operating approach.
Read More →
Zum Adds 2 More District Partnerships
The transportation and software provider is now working with LEAD Public Schools in Tennessee and Rockford Public Schools in Illinois.
Read More →
Stop Reinventing the RFP: Why Cooperative Purchasing Works for School Transportation
Take the burden out of bidding. Cooperative contracts can save district transportation teams time, money, and hassle. Here’s how.
Read More →
The Essential Guide to School Bus Maintenance: Maximizing Safety and Uptime
Stop reacting to engine lights and start predicting them. This guide reveals how transitioning from a "break-fix" model to a data-driven maintenance strategy can drastically reduce fleet downtime and protect your district's budget. Learn how to transform your garage operations from a cost center into a reliability powerhouse.
Read More →
Alternative Turns Yellow: EverDriven’s Move Into School Bus Routing
EverDriven is bringing its experience with complex transportation into a new school bus routing support division. In this video, Greg Jackson breaks down what the service offers and why districts need this kind of help now more than ever.
Read More →
2026 Administrator of the Year: Kathy Calkins’ Transformational Leadership in Oregon
Three decades after almost walking away from the school bus, studying behavior changed everything for Kathy Calkins. Now, she oversees 181 buses and leads the 225-person team at North Clackamas with intent and purpose.
Read More →
Boosting K-12 Attendance With Innovative Transportation Solutions
While the yellow school bus remains the backbone of student transit, 75% of administrators identify limited transportation access as a major driver of chronic absenteeism. This guide explores how districts are strengthening their fleets by integrating flexible, supplemental solutions to serve students with the most complex needs. Learn how a multimodal approach can bridge service gaps, restore attendance, and support your most vulnerable populations.
Read More →
Zum Shares 2025 Successes
Zūm Services achieved record-setting revenue last year as its AI-powered platform grew to 15 states. These and more measurable wins detailed here.
Read More →