1 of Chowchilla kidnappers to be released
Prison officials say that Richard Schoenfeld, who was among the three convicted in the infamous 1976 school bus kidnapping in California, will get out on parole this month.
One of the three convicted in the infamous 1976 school bus kidnapping in Chowchilla, Calif., will get out of prison this month, corrections officials said on Friday.
The Contra Costa Times cited an e-mailed statement from the California Department of Corrections, which said that the state Supreme Court decided to not review an appellate court’s ruling that granted Richard Schoenfeld immediate parole.
Schoenfeld, who was in his 20s at the time of the crime, had been scheduled for parole in 2021, but corrections officials said that they are now legally obligated to release him.
To read the full Contra Costa Times story, click here.
More Management

Changing Lanes: BusWhere, EverDriven, InterMotive, Summit School Services, Switzer-Carty & Thomas Built Buses
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers.
Read More →
The Most Expensive Thing You Do Before Selling a School Bus: Wait
When should you sell an aging school bus? Learn how maintenance, mileage, corrosion, specifications, and timing can affect resale value long before the auction.
Read More →
American Student Transportation Partners Acquires AJ Myers and Sons
A new deal brings a 75-year Pennsylvania student transportation provider into one of the nation’s largest private school bus contracting groups.
Read More →
What I Brought Home From SBFX: Relationships, Leadership, and Preparing What's Next
Who could lead your transportation operation tomorrow if you couldn't? Bernando Brown explores succession planning, mentorship, and preparing emerging leaders to step up.
Read More →
Inside School Bus Fleet ConneX 2026: Industry Leaders Connect in Scottsdale [Photos]
See highlights from SBFX 2026 in Arizona, where school bus operators and suppliers gathered for meetings, education, networking, awards, and more.
Read More →
School Transportation’s Biggest Pressures and Opportunities: SBFX Attendees Weigh In
School bus operators point to rising costs, staffing, and vehicle prices as immediate pressures while identifying technology, training, and routing as opportunities for growth.
Read More →
STA Acquires Sunrise Transportation
Student Transportation of America expands in Illinois and Connecticut through Sunrise's fleet of nearly 1,000 vehicles.
Read More →
EPA Opens $180M DERA Funding Round for Diesel Upgrades
The 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program seeks applications from eligible organizations to accelerate the retirement of legacy diesel vehicles.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive’s CareEngine Targets the ‘Exceptions’ in Student Transportation
The new platform works alongside districts’ existing transportation management systems to coordinate specialized rides, automate last-minute changes, and turn ride data into operational improvements.
Read More →
The Right Ride for Every Student: Navigating the New Student Transportation Ecosystem
How should districts blend school buses with small-vehicle transportation and other options? EverDriven CEO Mitch Bowling discusses safety, costs, partnerships, and strategy.
Read More →

