Vandals Deflate School Bus Tires, First Day of School Canceled
Staff members of Concord (Mich.) Public Schools find flattened tires on 10 school buses, leaving a significant portion of the fleet inoperable.
CONCORD, Mich. — A school district here was forced to cancel the first day of school after staff members found flattened tires on a number of buses on Wednesday morning.
The Jackson County Office of the Sheriff is investigating the incident at this time, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. The initial information suggests that 10 Concord Community Schools buses had at least one tire flattened, making a significant portion of the fleet inoperable.
Dan Funston, the superintendent for the district, told MLive that the tires were drained of air to the point that they were off the rims, and there wasn’t enough time to fill them up sufficiently before school started. He added that it was disappointing because “A lot of kids were excited to come in for the first day of school after last night's open house,” and that a majority of students who attend the district’s schools rely on the bus to get there.
The incident occurred either late Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning, according to the news release. The scope and amount of damage is being determined at this time. Deputies will work closely with the district to identify the individuals responsible for the incident, according to the sheriff's office.
More Management

6 School Districts Named Transfinder's 2026 Top Transportation Teams
The software company has named six school districts across four states to its list for the fourth year, with one 'three-peat' winner. Find out which teams took home top honors!
Read More →
Innovation Was the Answer: Five Lessons Learned in School Transportation from 2025–26
Transportation leaders are embracing technology, transparency, and operational flexibility to meet growing demands with limited resources.
Read More →
AI Tools Roundup: New Fleet Tools Aim to Turn Data Into Faster Decisions
The latest AI-powered platforms could help student transportation teams analyze fleet performance, manage maintenance, and uncover operational insights using natural-language queries.
Read More →
EverDriven Integrates Pathwise's EZRouting into Routing Services
The new partnership combines trusted software with industry expertise to help district transportation teams streamline general education routing, improve efficiency, and lower operating costs.
Read More →
First Student Safety Executive Named Samsara Technology Leader of the Year
David Perez earned the honor for deploying AI-powered safety and fleet technologies that improved driver behavior and family communication.
Read More →
Zum Expands to Rhode Island with 2 New District Partnerships
The Ocean State becomes Zum’s 18th state served as the company expands its presence in the Northeast U.S., while launching operations in Philadelphia, and supporting FIFA World Cup 2026.
Read More →
The Driver Shortage Playbook
Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.
Read More →
Stertil-Koni Announces New Company President
Lewis Nelson joins the heavy-duty vehicle lift provider, succeeding Scott Steinhardt in the lead role.
Read More →
Tennessee Hall of Fame Honors Drivers for Decades of Service
Frances Theiring, a school bus driver for Wilson County Schools, retires this year after almost 50 years on the road. She is one of two long-time drivers honored for their service in the state.
Read More →
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 →



