School bus purchasing plans, challenging student behavior, and leadership were also highlighted during the 2016 Oregon Pupil Transportation Association conference, held in scenic and sunny Bend.
PHOTOS: Oregon Conference Covers Driver Shortage, Seat Belts
Keynote speaker Barry McCahill discussed the school bus industry’s successes and the challenges it faces.
Leon Langley, Maryland state director and president of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, helmed sessions on leadership, school bus seat belts, and training adult learners.
Another attendee gives input on the seat belt topic.
Conference attendees step outside during a break to bask in the Central Oregon sunshine.
As its name suggests, the Riverhouse is on the banks of a scenic river, the Deschutes.
Tim Ammon of School Bus Consultants talks about bus purchasing plans, one of several sessions he led at the OPTA conference.
From left: Chris Moore, Courtenay McCarthy, and Shelley Rutledge of Salem-Keizer Public Schools discuss strategies for dealing with challenging student behavior.
Vendors talk with attendees during the OPTA trade show.
A variety of school buses were on display in the parking lot during the trade show.
Connie Lutz of the North Clackamas School District was named Oregon School Bus Driver of the Year.
Stacey Delgado (center) of Ashland School District was named Oregon School Bus Driver Trainer of the Year.
Wilbur Starr of Santiam Christian School gets a standing ovation as he walks to the stage to accept the Oregon Transportation Supervisor of the Year award.
In a moving presentation, David Massey accepts the Big Wheel Award for his wife, Teresa Massey, who died several weeks before the conference. At left is Oregon state director Sarah Drinkwater.
Attendees pose for a picture in a school bus display at the Oregon Pupil Transportation Association (OPTA) 2016 summer conference, which was held June 21-24 in Bend. Seat belts and driver shortage were among the recurring topics of discussion.
The OPTA conference was held at the Riverhouse Hotel and Convention Center. More than 200 members attended.
An attendee of Langley’s session on seat belts shares his view on the issue.
OPTA President Kim Crabtree addresses attendees during an awards luncheon.
Nick Scott of Salem-Keizer Public Schools won the Golden Wrench Technician-Mechanic Award.
Stephanie Malherbe (left) of Salem-Keizer Public Schools won the Buck Klemm Special-Needs Transportation Award.