America’s Best winners named at NAPT Summit
Kirk Brooks, from Indiana, took the top spot in the technician category, while Dustin Wells, from North Carolina, placed first in the inspector category.

Kirk Brooks of Indiana, shown here, left, with Marshall Casey, placed first in the school bus technician category.
RICHMOND, Va. — School bus technicians and inspectors gathered here during the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Summit to show off their skills in the America’s Best Training & Skills Competition.
Kirk Brooks of Indiana took the top spot in the technician category, while Dustin Wells of North Carolina placed first in the inspector category.
Marshall Casey, one of the America’s Best organizers, announced the winners at the Summit on Monday. He said that this year the program went international and included some Canadian competitors, and he welcomed contestants from other countries in future competitions.
A total of 31 participants competed this year, hailing from 19 states and one Canadian province.

Dustin Wells of North Carolina placed first in the school bus inspector category.
The national event includes separate competitions for technicians and inspectors, each with a written exam and a hands-on portion. Participants also attend training seminars and tour host facilities.
Here are the 2015 top competitors:
Technicians
First runner up: Michael Holly, Arkansas
Second runner up: Denver Foster, Georgia
Inspectors
First runner up: Anthony Keshishian, California
Second runner up: Kevin Vollweiler, Texas
More Management

Walton County Schools Adds Gatekeeper Stop-Arm Enforcement System
The Florida district will deploy Gatekeeper’s updated Student Protector technology, which now incorporates AI to improve video evidence.
Read More →
Zum Reaches 19 States With New York Expansion
The addition of the Empire State to the student transportation company's roster marks a growing expansion in the Northeast as it scales its tech and school bus services.
Read More →
First Student Updates Its Parent App
First View connects both yellow bus and alternative transportation, giving families one platform to track student trips for the new school year, with 15 languages supported.
Read More →
The Back-to-School Checklist Every Director Should Complete Before the First Bell
Help your transportation team start the school year strong with these tips for contingency planning, communication, fleet visibility, technology, and trip management.
Read More →
How a New York District Cut Nearly $1M in Transportation Costs While Expanding Bus Access
A data-driven overhaul with BusRight reduced Poughkeepsie City School District's planned routes from 26 to 17 while extending school bus service to about 1,200 additional students.
Read More →
Budgets Down, Enrollment Shifting: What the Data Says Districts Should Watch
School transportation departments face two converging challenges this year: tightening budgets and shifting enrollment. Most districts still address these issues separately, but the assumption that either trend will simplify operations is proving incorrect.
Read More →
These 8 School Transportation Companies Made the 2026 Inc. 5000 List
Find out which school transportation contractors, technology providers, and suppliers ranked among America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Read More →The Link Between Emotional Intelligence and School Bus Safety
How can emotional intelligence help transportation pros navigate stress, manage change, and build stronger relationships? Listen to find out.
Read More →What Emotional Intelligence Has to Do With School Bus Safety
In this video, discover how emotional intelligence can help transportation leaders and drivers navigate stress, manage change, and build stronger relationships. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
Beyond Two-Way Radios: School Bus Communications Evolve With Push-to-Talk Over Cellular
PRYME Radio and PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free radio use and reduce distracted driving. See how PoC compares with traditional radios on range, cost, safety, and connectivity.
Read More →

