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

A school bus driver wearing a safety vest exchanges a high-five with a smiling young student near the front of a school bus. Sunlight streams through the windows as another adult stands nearby.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 18, 2026

What Happens to a School Bus After Retirement? First Student Has a New Answer

Through a new partnership with Advanced Remarketing Services, proceeds from retired vehicle sales will support Special Olympics and other community-focused organizations while advancing sustainability goals.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet leadership update graphic featuring the School Bus Logistics logo and headshots of three newly hired software data analysts: CJ Merrill, Jake Nulick, and Valorie Ashburn.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 18, 2026

School Bus Logistics Adds 3 Data Analysts, Expands Routing Capabilities

Three new data analysts and a BusRight certification bring an added layer of support to the routing services districts already use.

Read More →
Cover page of an NSTA (National School Transportation Association) whitepaper titled "Outsourcing Student Transportation Services Toolkit: Benefits of Contracting Transportation Services." The design features a blue and gold color scheme with a yellow school bus graphic at the top. The subtitle reads, "Discover the value and benefits of converting to contracted student transportation services, a proven road to cost reduction and service enhancement." Contact information for NSTA appears at the bottom, including the website YellowBuses.org and email address info@yellowbuses.org
SponsoredJune 18, 2026

Outsourcing Student Transportation Services Toolkit

Did you know nearly 40% of school districts utilize a private contractor to serve their transportation needs? Explore why more school leaders are turning to contracted transportation services, and how outsourcing can create meaningful value without sacrificing control. Discover the practical benefits of a transportation services platform that provides flexibility with coordination.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of a laptop displaying the EverDriven logo against a blue background, with the text "New AI-Powered Transportation Operations Hub" and the School Bus Fleet logo.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 17, 2026

EverDriven Debuts TripCentral as New District Transportation Portal

The new transportation management hub takes over the district portal to power trip planning, operations, visibility, and intelligence for school district transportation needs.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for School Bus Fleet's "Five Questions" series featuring Craig Beaver of Beaverton School District. The image shows Beaver smiling in an office setting alongside text reading "Five Questions with Craig Beaver." School Bus Fleet logo appears at the bottom.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJune 17, 2026

Lessons Learned from 4 Decades in Transportation: 5 Questions with Craig Beaver

Sit down with longtime transportation leader Craig Beaver moments before he retires, as he reflects on his career leading up to his role at Beaverton School District in Oregon and the secrets to leading great teams.

Read More →
Three people pose in front of a line of school buses.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 16, 2026

BusRight Honors Texas Driver With Inaugural Behind The Wheel Award

Selected from more than 300 nominations, Lawson Crook earned BusRight’s inaugural award for his dedication to students and safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Promotional graphic for The Route podcast by School Bus Fleet. On a bright yellow background with light circular accents, large text reads "4 Decades of Leadership Lessons." Featured guest Craig Beaver of Beaverton School District is shown smiling in a suit and tie on the right side of the image. The School Bus Fleet logo and The Route branding appear at the top left, with sponsorship by IC Bus displayed near the top center.
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettJune 15, 2026

Craig Beaver’s Final Stop: Lessons from 43 Years in Transportation

After more than four decades in transportation, retiring Beaverton School District director Craig Beaver reflects on leadership, alternative fuels, AI, staffing, and what’s coming next. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
ManagementJune 15, 2026

What 43 Years in Transportation Taught Craig Beaver About Leadership

After more than four decades in transportation, retiring Beaverton School District admin Craig Beaver reflects on leadership, alternative fuels, AI, staffing, and what’s coming next.

Read More →
Tod Eskra stands on an award stage to accept recognition
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 12, 2026

ASTP's Tod Eskra Named an Entrepreneur of the Year

The award from Ernst & Young honors visionary leadership behind one of America's fastest-growing student transportation contracting companies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black and white image of a school bus technician checking diagnostics as part of a graphic with text reading "How Do Today's School Bus Manufacturers Measure Up?"
Managementby StaffJune 10, 2026

Drivers and Technicians: Help Benchmark Today's School Bus Manufacturers

If you've spent time behind the wheel or under the hood, we want to hear your perspective on the buses you know best.

Read More →