Check out these pictorial highlights from the workshops, the awards program and a new networking session at the Oregon Pupil Transportation Association’s 2015 conference.
PHOTOS: Oregon pupil transporters cover safety, management
Kala Henkensiefken, transportation coordinator for Brainerd (Minn.) Public Schools, came to the OPTA conference to give presentations on best practices in special-needs transportation and the use of child passenger safety restraint systems in school buses.
Tom Platt of School Bus Consultants LLC led one workshop on using transportation technology effectively and another on “Turning the Prism” — i.e., looking at your operation like parents, administrators and others do.
Deborah Maskal of Greater Albany School District was named Driver Trainer of the Year.
Jane Langlois of Beaverton School District won the Dennis Essary Leadership Award. After accepting the award, Langlois talked about her experience working with Essary, the late pupil transportation industry leader.
A new component of the OPTA conference this year was a networking session for attendees and vendors. Representatives of school bus supplier companies sat at a table with several attendees to have a discussion before moving on to the next table.
Bill Loshbough (third from left) of HSM talks with attendees about the company’s school bus seating solutions.
On stage, OPTA Past President Michael Shields and President Kim Crabtree oversee the networking session. Crabtree and Shields introduced the concept to the association’s conference this year after taking part in similar networking sessions at other industry events.
About 200 school transportation professionals from across Oregon gathered at the Valley River Inn in Eugene from June 15 to 18 for the Oregon Pupil Transportation Association (OPTA)’s annual conference.
In a keynote address, pupil transportation consultant and industry veteran Denny Coughlin shared his insights on how to improve one’s life.
Kathy Houck of Reynolds School District told OPTA conference attendees about her transportation department’s role in responding to the Reynolds High School shooting last year.
School Bus Fleet Executive Editor Thomas McMahon, a former Oregonian, gave presentations on how to spread good news about your operation and tips for writing clearly and correctly.
OPTA held an awards program during the conference. Teresa Schreiber was named School Bus Driver of the Year.