SchoolBus logo in red and orange
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Driver Donates Retirement Incentive to Special-Needs Student Program

Ted Quatman of Maryland donates his $500 early retirement incentive to Harford County Public Schools' autism program after driving for nine years.

June 28, 2019
Driver Donates Retirement Incentive to Special-Needs Student Program

Ted Quatman, a driver for Harford County (Md.) Public Schools, donated his $500 early retirement incentive to the district's autism program after driving for nine years. Photo courtesy Harford County Public Schools

2 min to read


Ted Quatman, a driver for Harford County (Md.) Public Schools, donated his $500 early retirement incentive to the district's autism program after driving for nine years. Photo courtesy Harford County Public Schools

DARLINGTON, Md. — A special-needs school bus driver here recently retired and donated his early retirement incentive to his district’s autism program, The Baltimore Sun reports.

Ted Quatman, a driver for Harford County Public Schools, retired on June 18 after nine years of driving Darlington Elementary School special-needs students. Quatman told the newspaper that he and his wife took advantage of the district’s $500 early retirement incentive this year and donated the money back to the district’s autism program called STRIVE, which stands for Succeeding Together Reaching Individual Visions Everyday. Quatman, who had been planning to retire for sometime, added that he made the decision to donate to the program well before the district announced the retirement incentive.

Ad Loading...

Alberta Porter, the principal for Darlington Elementary School, told The Baltimore Sun that while it may be hard to replace Quatman, she intends to use his donation to purchase “something for the students that will reinforce their behavior and interests, like kinetic sand or new helmets to be used with a recent donation of bicycles." She also said that the funds could go toward field trips, according to the newspaper.

In his retirement, Quatman told The Baltimore Sun that he plans to fish in the spring, summer, and fall, and that in the winter he’ll be back at school “bothering” everyone.

Read the full story and view a tweet from Harford County Public Schools below.

We'd like to wish a happy retirement to Ted Quatman, bus driver for Darlington Elementary, who is retiring after nine years with us! He is donating his $500 early retirement incentive to the STRIVE program at Darlington Elementary! Thank you Mr. Ted! https://t.co/AxNRZ8RZxF

— HCPS (@HCPSchools) June 18, 2019

More Special Needs Transportation

Graphic showing a school bus with a wheelchair lift deployed and the headline “Special Needs Ridership Rises & More Trends,” highlighting 2026 School Bus Fleet special-needs survey results.

Special-Needs Transportation Shifts in 2026: More Riders, More Tech, New Pressures [Survey Report]

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
An aerial photograph of Jersey City, New Jersey, during the day.
Special Needs TransportationJanuary 20, 2026

New Jersey Legislature Approves Special Education Transportation Task Force

The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black and white graphic with an image of a female student getting into an alternative transportation vehicle. Text reads "Student Privacy & Special Needs: Legal, Ethical, and Practical Guidance."
Special Needs TransportationJanuary 16, 2026

Why Student Privacy Matters in Special-Needs School Transportation

Learn more about what federal law really allows when sharing special-needs information with bus drivers and aides while protecting student privacy.

Read More →

AMF Bruns Celebrates 2025 Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year

Julio Ospina, a SPED driver and safety trainer at Wylie ISD in Texas, was named the national winner in AMF's annual driver award series.

Read More →
SponsoredDecember 1, 2025

Safety Leadership for School Bus Operations

The most important factor in operating as safely as possible is leadership. Learn about an innovative new training course that teaches all levels of leadership the many practices to instill a safety culture in the drivers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Special Needs Transportationby StaffNovember 11, 2025

Your Insights Needed: 2026 Special Needs Survey Now Open

Help shape the 2026 state of Special-Needs Transportation report! School district and contractor leaders — share your notes on ridership, equipment, and staffing by Dec. 31, 2025.

Read More →
SponsoredNovember 7, 2025

eBook: Good for the Fleet, Good for the Community

Learn how modern telematics helps pupil transportation fleets operate more safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while proving measurable value to their communities. See how real fleets are reducing idling, improving driver safety, and using video data to protect budgets and passengers alike.

Read More →

Survey: Homeless Student Identification Rises for Third Consecutive Year

New data reveals frontline perspectives on supporting some of America’s most vulnerable students, detailing transportation challenges and possible solutions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Kala Henkensiefken poses for a photo in the driver's seat of a school bus. Text reads: "From Driver to Mentor: Kala Henkensiefken."
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 11, 2025

From Driver to Mentor: Kala Henkensiefken's Legacy in Special Education Transportation

For decades, Henkensiefken has been a cornerstone of special education transportation in Minnesota. As she prepares for retirement, her career reflects on the industry's evolution and her unwavering commitment to its advancement.

Read More →