First Student techs receive top ASE certification
Eleven employees at the contractor’s Schaumburg, Ill., location earn the Blue Seal of Excellence. The technicians maintain 346 buses that serve seven school districts in the area.
CINCINNATI — First Student recently recognized 11 school bus technicians at its Schaumburg, Ill., location for receiving the Blue Seal of Excellence from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
“With my staff’s commitment to safety and keeping up with current technology trends, we were able to gain this certification,” said Frank Gagliano, shop manager. “I am proud of the work we have all put into making sure we provide reliable and safe transportation for the more than 14,000 students we transport daily.”
The Schaumburg location operates 346 buses for the Schaumburg school districts 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 54 and 108.
The ASE was created in 1972 to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service. Currently, 385,000 professionals hold current ASE certifications and work in various segments of the automotive industry. The Blue Seal of Excellence is the organization’s highest certification level.
More Management
Zonar Launches Reimagined Bus Suite Web Portal
Can one platform replace your transportation software stack? Zonar says its new Bus Suite unifies routing, dispatch, field trips, GPS, and parent communication.
Read More →
Indiana Association Announces 2026 Award Winners
See who earned top honors at the 2026 School Transportation Association of Indiana conference, recognizing excellence in school transportation statewide.
Read More →
Student Transportation of America Acquires Massachusetts Contractor
Tremblay’s Bus Company and its 400-bus fleet joins the STA family of brands as the company grows its presence across the Northeast U.S.
Read More →
Michigan Association Announces 2026 Award Winners
See who earned top honors at the 2026 Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation conference, recognizing excellence in school transportation statewide.
Read More →
Inside MAPT 2026: Michigan’s School Transportation Community Connects at Boyne Mountain
Check out highlights from the 2026 MAPT Summer Conference, where over 300 transportation pros gathered for training, networking, awards, and trade show.
Read More →
Summit School Services to Complete Fleetwide Samsara Technology Rollout
The company said outfitting its entire fleet with AI-powered safety and fleet management technology will strengthen student safety and operational efficiency across its local brands.
Read More →
Why the School Bus May Be America's Most Overlooked Icon
Every day, millions of students climb aboard. But few realize the yellow school bus has helped transform education, connect communities, and come to symbolize civic responsibility.
Read More →
Why More Drivers Won’t Fix the Shortage
Hiring isn’t enough. Learn how leading fleets are solving driver shortages through smarter retention, training, and culture strategies.
Read More →
SBFX Keynote Announced: Ann Vote to Share Tips on Leadership and Team Culture
Find out who will be providing this year's keynote at SBFX in Scottsdale this September and what else to expect. District and contractor bus operators are invited to apply and attend at no cost!
Read More →
The School Bus as an American Icon: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of the Yellow Bus
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Blue Bird's Brad Beauchamp explores the history of the yellow school bus, its impact on education, and where student transportation is headed next.
Read More →