MENU
SEARCHSponsored by the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation and hosted by school bus dealer Sonny Merryman Inc., the competition included a written exam and a hands-on diagnostic and troubleshooting exercise.
School bus technicians from seven districts participated in the first annual competition. First place winner Richard White (second from left) will represent Virginia at NAPT's America's Best competition this fall.
LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation (VAPT) sponsored the first technician competition of its kind in the state.
The first annual Virginia's Best School Bus Technician Competition was held Wednesday, with seven school districts participating.
The event was hosted by Thomas Built Buses dealership Sonny Merryman Inc., and further support was provided by the Virginia Department of Education and Kingmor Supply.
The competition consisted of a school bus technical knowledge written exam as well as a hands-on diagnostic and troubleshooting exercise. The first prize winner received a trophy and $100 cash prize, while second place received a $50 cash prize.
This year's competitors included:
1st Place: Richard White, York County, Va.
2nd Place: Bill Alsko, Hopewell, Va.
Kevin Hubble, Newport News, Va.
Ken Yohe, Bath County, Va.
Andy Sherrer, Chesterfield County, Va.
Aaron McKimmey, Loudon County, Va.
Paul Townsend, Buckingham County, Va.
The first place finisher, Richard White, will represent Virginia at the National Association for Pupil Transportation's (NAPT) America's Best competition taking place this fall in Jasper, Ind., in either the school bus technician or the school bus inspector category.
"We are extremely excited to have had such a successful inaugural contest," said Bob Clinebell, fleet manager of Virginia Beach City Public Schools and VAPT organizing chair for the event. "Virginia has exceptionally talented and professionally-minded school bus technicians, so we are thrilled to have a format for recognizing these dedicated individuals."
Stop reacting to engine lights and start predicting them. This guide reveals how transitioning from a "break-fix" model to a data-driven maintenance strategy can drastically reduce fleet downtime and protect your district's budget. Learn how to transform your garage operations from a cost center into a reliability powerhouse.
Read More →
Driver shortages and rising costs are straining already stretched school transportation budgets. Learn 12 practical strategies that help school bus fleets be more efficient, control costs, strengthen compliance, and protect student riders…all by using fleet technology that could pay for itself within a year.
Read More →
Searching for the right equipment, technology, or services for your school transportation program? This industry guide brings together manufacturers and suppliers across the entire school bus market, all in one place. Download it to find the partners who can help move your operation forward.
Read More →
What top challenges are school bus maintenance teams facing in 2026? Explore new trends from School Bus Fleet’s annual maintenance survey covering fleet composition and age, fuel types, used vs. new purchasing patterns, technician pay and certifications, and the impact of the driver shortage. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
Read More →
What top challenges are school bus maintenance teams facing in 2026? Explore new trends from School Bus Fleet’s annual maintenance survey covering fleet composition and age, fuel types, used vs. new purchasing patterns, technician pay and certifications, and the impact of the driver shortage. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
Read More →
The company’s new AI tool helps fleet managers approve repairs faster, prioritize maintenance, and reduce shop time across high-volume fleets.
Read More →
From tire changers and diagnostics to wash systems and brake tech, these maintenance must-haves save time, reduce strain, and keep school bus shops running efficiently.
Read More →
Is it time to rethink your school bus brake system? Let’s break down cost, performance, maintenance, and real-world fleet experiences.
Read More →
Bendix’s 2026 training program will bring in-person and virtual brake system courses to technicians across the country, focusing on air brake fundamentals and advanced safety technologies.
Read More →
As gasoline use rises, maintenance teams face tighter budgets, limited training, and slow wage growth. This and more trends and analysis in our annual survey report. Survey sponsor: Dayton Parts.
Read More →
