NSTA launches pilot testing of e-market The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) has begun a one-year test of a program that allows contractors to bid collectively for supplies. The pilot program was launched in March with the Connecticut School Transportation Association and five companies.The system, developed in conjunction with lightgov.com, will bring together contractors for joint orders in the form of an online proposal. Vendors are invited to bid on the aggregated proposal. The contractors can then accept or reject the bid. Increase safety with homemade TLC device Improve the way your drivers negotiate turns and road bumps while carrying fragile passengers by testing them with your own “TLC” device. A TLC device measures how much the rear of the bus sways and shakes as it stops, starts, turns and goes over rough road surfaces. Balance a ping pong ball on top of a bottle and secure the bottle in a kitty litter box. Have drivers try to maneuver the bus without knocking the ball off the bottle. For more information, call the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute at (800) 836-2210. Announcing employee departure to the staff Don’t try to ignore the resignation and subsequent departure of a popular employee. Instead, celebrate what the employee contributed to the operation’s atmosphere, both work and social, during his or her time on staff. Have a party in the employee’s honor. Wish the employee well and invite him or her to return as a “boomerang” employee.