As the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) gears up for the first in-person annual meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the organization is searching for a new administrative and member services director and considering some changes to its bylaws.

On Oct. 20, NASDPTS announced the impending retirement of Jennifer Bruce, who has worked as administrative and member services director since 2019. She expects to depart at the end of 2022.

“It has been an utmost pleasure to have worked with both national and state school transportation associations for almost 30 years, culminating with NASDPTS,” Bruce said. “NASDPTS encompasses ‘all things school transportation’ with its state directors, public and private transportation professionals, and supplier companies. I am blessed to have been part of this remarkable family. Thank you for working so hard, every day, getting our world’s most precious cargo to and from school safely.”

NASDPTS President Pat McManamon praised Bruce’s contributions to the association: “Jennifer has been an amazing addition to NASDPTS, and she has helped the association move forward in countless ways. We will truly miss her enthusiasm and gumption, and we appreciate all of her helping to advance NASDPTS over these past four years. We wish her the absolute best in retirement.”

The association is accepting applications for potential candidates to replace Bruce until 5 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 11.

Proposed bylaw changes under consideration include:

• Requiring candidates for president-elect to have served as a committee chair.

• Clarifying how to handle vacancies, resignations, and expulsions of president-elect, president, and past president.

• Eliminating requirement to keep the most recent annual report, as NASDPTS doesn’t have annual reports.

• Changing the name of the State National Association Council (SNAC) to the State Transportation Associations Council (STAC).

• Adding a new dues category for think tanks, such as the World Resources Institute.

Ronna Weber, executive director of NASDPTS, said the vacancies clarification was prompted by the resignation of Pat Schofill earlier this year. “We haven’t changed the intent,” she said, “only clarified how the process works.”

Members will get to vote on the proposed changes on Saturday, Oct. 29, during the annual conference.