GRAND BOIS, La. — Patrick Dufrene has been a school bus driver for 14 years, and for 10 of them, he hasn't missed a day of work, according to a story on DailyComet.com.
For the past few years, Dufrene has driven a special-needs bus route that begins in Grand Bois and ends in Larose, La. He then makes a second run of three stops through Larose. Dufrene previously drove regular-ed buses in the Central Lafourche area.
A driving force behind his perfect attendance over the last decade is that he feels it’s not just his job, but his responsibility to make sure that the students he transports get an education, and he tells them to learn as much as they can, according to the story on DailyComet.com. Dufrene left school in the eighth grade, but he’s since earned is GED and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Louisiana Technical College.
To read the full story, click here.
Special-needs bus driver hasn’t missed work in a decade
A factor that has reportedly influenced Patrick Dufrene’s perfect attendance is his feeling that it’s not just his job, but his responsibility to make sure that the students he transports get an education.
More Special Needs Transportation

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 →
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 →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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →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 →
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 →
