First Student names new contract manager

Dennis Ryan is promoted to the position for the company's Niles, Mich., location. Ryan manages all aspects of daily transportation operations, including maintenance, safety and training.

2011 Contractor Showcase

First Student wins Louisiana contract

Under the five-year agreement, the contractor will provide school bus service for the St. James Parish School Board beginning in April. The company will also provide all routing, maintenance and management services, and hire drivers for routes currently without a district driver.

Boy allegedly bullied by special-needs student on bus

The mother of a 9-year-old boy says her son was hospitalized after he was kicked by an older student while riding the bus. She wants the other student to be taken off of the bus, but she says school officials told her that the student cannot be removed because he has special needs.

Updated diabetes guide available

Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel provides school personnel (including transportation managers and bus drivers), parents and students with a team approach for helping students manage their diabetes in a school setting. The guide includes revised information on such topics as training for school personnel.

State directors to tally bus passing

NASDPTS is conducting a nationwide survey to determine how many motorists illegally pass stopped school buses — an ongoing problem that results in multiple student fatalities each year.

District's revamped transportation plan will provide efficient service

Under the plan, which Seattle Public Schools’ transportation manager discusses with SBF, transportation zones will streamline bus routes for attendance-area elementary and K-8 schools. Ride times will decrease to 25 minutes or less, and about 80 buses will be taken off the road.

New York association responds to executive budget proposal

New York Association for Pupil Transportation Executive Director Peter Mannella expresses concerns about the governor’s 2011-12 fiscal year budget, saying that the measures to reduce the overall costs of school transportation could adversely affect operations, student safety and efficiency. He urges the Legislature to consider cost-saving mandates the association has advanced.

Keeping the Yellow Bus Running

Four transportation directors sit down to assess the state of the nation’s school bus systems. Hear their thoughts on targeting efficiency, cutting down on bullying, contributing to student achievement and more.

Student Transportation appoints new exec, acquires bus company

Patrick Vaughan is named chief operating officer for the contractor’s North American school bus division. He will be responsible for maintaining the company’s service standards, leading the operations team and integrating new business. In other news, the contractor has acquired Rhode Island-based Ocean State Transit.