Zonar Names Don Carnahan Grant Winners at NAPT Conference
The nine winners of the 2018 Don Carnahan Memorial Grant are eligible to receive up to $50,000 in Zonar hardware.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Zonar announced the nine recipients of the 2018 Don Carnahan Memorial Grant at the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Conference on Monday.
These school districts will receive the latest in fleet management hardware and student tracking technology from the supplier:
Brazosport (Texas) Independent School District
Caroline County (Va.) Public Schools
Howell Township (N.J.) Public Schools,
Montgomery County (Md.) Public Schools
Sayreville (N.J.) Public Schools
Socorro (N.M.) Consolidated Schools
Solano County (Calif.) Office of Education
Thompson School District R2-J, Loveland, Colorado
Whittier (Calif.) Union High School District
Recipients of the grant are eligible to receive up to $50,000 in Zonar hardware, including electronic verified inspection reporting (EVIR), global position system (GPS) and real-time engine diagnostic reporting (V3), student tracking (Z Pass), and Ground Traffic Control web-based software.
"With 24 million students riding a school bus each day we want to provide school districts with the technology to give parents peace of mind when their child steps on a bus," said H. Kevin Mest, senior vice president & general manager of passenger services at Zonar. "This grant allows school districts to reduce the upfront cost of acquiring and implementing leading-edge technology systems, and start realizing the benefits of reducing costs and improving student safety."
In an effort encourage its customers to attend, Zonar awards eligible customers with a scholarship to offset the cost of registration.
For more information on the Don Carnahan Memorial Grant, visit www.zonarsystems.com/grant-program.
More Management

Changing Lanes: BusWhere, EverDriven, InterMotive, Summit School Services, Switzer-Carty & Thomas Built Buses
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers.
Read More →
The Most Expensive Thing You Do Before Selling a School Bus: Wait
When should you sell an aging school bus? Learn how maintenance, mileage, corrosion, specifications, and timing can affect resale value long before the auction.
Read More →
American Student Transportation Partners Acquires AJ Myers and Sons
A new deal brings a 75-year Pennsylvania student transportation provider into one of the nation’s largest private school bus contracting groups.
Read More →
What I Brought Home From SBFX: Relationships, Leadership, and Preparing What's Next
Who could lead your transportation operation tomorrow if you couldn't? Bernando Brown explores succession planning, mentorship, and preparing emerging leaders to step up.
Read More →
Inside School Bus Fleet ConneX 2026: Industry Leaders Connect in Scottsdale [Photos]
See highlights from SBFX 2026 in Arizona, where school bus operators and suppliers gathered for meetings, education, networking, awards, and more.
Read More →
School Transportation’s Biggest Pressures and Opportunities: SBFX Attendees Weigh In
School bus operators point to rising costs, staffing, and vehicle prices as immediate pressures while identifying technology, training, and routing as opportunities for growth.
Read More →
STA Acquires Sunrise Transportation
Student Transportation of America expands in Illinois and Connecticut through Sunrise's fleet of nearly 1,000 vehicles.
Read More →
EPA Opens $180M DERA Funding Round for Diesel Upgrades
The 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program seeks applications from eligible organizations to accelerate the retirement of legacy diesel vehicles.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive’s CareEngine Targets the ‘Exceptions’ in Student Transportation
The new platform works alongside districts’ existing transportation management systems to coordinate specialized rides, automate last-minute changes, and turn ride data into operational improvements.
Read More →
The Right Ride for Every Student: Navigating the New Student Transportation Ecosystem
How should districts blend school buses with small-vehicle transportation and other options? EverDriven CEO Mitch Bowling discusses safety, costs, partnerships, and strategy.
Read More →

