SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Districts Get School Buses Ready for 'Deep Freeze'

As this week's cold snap impacts many parts of the U.S., pupil transportation staff are working to ensure buses start on time and are ready for students to board.

by Sadiah Thompson
January 29, 2019
Districts Get School Buses Ready for 'Deep Freeze'

As this week's cold snap impacts some parts of the U.S., pupil transportation staff are working to ensure buses start on time and are ready for students to board. Photo credit John Horton

2 min to read


As this week's cold snap impacts some parts of the U.S., pupil transportation staff are working to ensure buses start on time and are ready for students to board. Photo credit John Horton

Many parts of the U.S. are experiencing a "deep freeze" this week with unforgiving weather conditions and extreme cold temperatures, and pupil transportation staff are working to ensure the efficiency of their operations.

In Holland, Ohio, Springfield Local Schools began conducting bus inspections on Friday to prepare for the frigid temperatures, according to WTOL.

Ad Loading...

Ron Smith, the director of transportation for Springfield Local Schools, told the news source that during the winter months the district connects its buses up to block heaters to help start up the engines. Despite not having any issues starting up buses this year, Smith added that in the past buses have failed to start due to faulty batteries or because they were older bus models.

Paducah Independent School District in Kentucky is also using block heaters to warm the school bus engines, WPSD reports. Steven Spraggs, the transportation director for the district, told the news source on Monday that the department’s mechanics will also start buses a few minutes earlier over the next few days.

In Wildwood, Missouri, Rockwood and Parkway School Districts are conducting similar efforts. Mike Heyman, the transportation director for Rockwood School District, toldFox 2 Now on Tuesday that the district’s Cold Start Team arrived early to start, monitor, defrost, and de-ice all of the district's buses. Heyman added that the mirrors and windshields on each bus were cleared and the interior was made comfortable and warm for students.

Meanwhile, Winneconne Community School District in Wisconsin was forced to close schools on Friday as some buses stopped running due to the frigid temperatures. Doug Falk, the owner of Falk Buses, (the company which the district contracts their buses with), told WLUKthat the low temperatures caused the diesel fuel to gel, which can clog fuel filters and cause problems for the buses’ engines. To prevent future school closures, Falk added that he is changing the fuel filters on all of the buses and is adding fuel additives.

As of Monday, Winneconne Community School District remained closed, according to a post on the district’s Facebook page.

More Management

Graphic for School Bus Fleet's "Changing Lanes" July 2026 personnel roundup featuring headshots of six industry professionals: Jamie Smith (AMF Buns), Dan Strock (Pro-Vision), Kyndra Webb (HopSkipDrive Council), Jared Schnader (CALSTART), Alycia Gilde (CALSTART), and Micah Enterz (Kooner Fleet Management Solutions), displayed on an orange geometric background.
Managementby StaffJuly 31, 2026

Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner

Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.

Read More →
Promo graphic for the 18th National Congress on School Transportation, featuring a conference audience background and text reading “May 4–6, 2029, St. Louis, Missouri,” alongside the NCST logo.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 29, 2026

NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees

The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.

Read More →
Two school buses parked in front of the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 28, 2026

Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City

From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A HopSkipDrive caregiver waits by an open car door in front of a house.
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 27, 2026

HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support

The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
A yellow school bus is parked outside a school beneath a large oak tree with blooming white blossoms, framed by white buildings and a bright blue spring sky.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 27, 2026

Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners

See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.

Read More →
Graphic for a School Bus Fleet article titled "Understanding Emotional Intelligence," featuring wooden letter blocks spelling "IEQ" and the subtitle, "Tips for transportation leaders to stay calm in any situation."
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 26, 2026

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation

Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Zonar Back to School Readiness Report for 2026
SponsoredJuly 23, 2026

2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report

Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
Collage highlighting recipients of the 2026 National School Transportation Association awards at the Annual Meeting and Convention in Denver
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 23, 2026

National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners

Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.

Read More →
A South Carolina Public Schools school bus lineup with text reading "How To Make Routing Data Persuasive."
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 21, 2026

School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells

Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collage highlighting NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference, featuring awards presentations, NYAPT President Marc Medina speaking, packed educational sessions, and the event's "Back to the Future" theme celebrating 50 years of pupil transportation leadership.
Managementby StaffJuly 20, 2026

Photos: NYAPT Celebrates 50 Years at 2026 Conference & Trade Show

See highlights from NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference in Saratoga Springs, featuring educational sessions, awards, a trade show, networking, and more.

Read More →