5 myths about student tracking, dispelled

School districts are finding that student GPS tracking has many benefits, but it has also become controversial. Here are five myths about student tracking and the reasons they are inaccurate.

Veteran New York transportation director moves to new district

Michael Dallessandro was recently named transportation director at Greece Central School District, which operates more than 200 route buses and transports 11,500 students daily. Dallessandro has worked in pupil transportation for more than 25 years.

PHOTOS: District 'paints it pink' for breast cancer awareness

Pupil transportation leader Don Carnahan backed collaboration, technology

Carnahan, who died suddenly on Friday, was serving his second term as president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation. The industry veteran had diverse experience, as a state director of pupil transportation, a director for school bus contractor Laidlaw, and most recently as a vice president for fleet management solutions supplier Zonar.

Case of bus aide accused of slapping boy with autism to go to trial

A judge denied a request for a description of injuries sustained by the alleged victim of James Lambert, a former Pasco County (Fla.) School District bus aide charged with two counts of felony child abuse for slapping a boy with autism. The judge told Lambert’s attorney the question of whether the slaps amount to felony child abuse should be decided by the jury.

California special-needs conference fills quickly

The state Office of School of Transportation recently announced that it will offer a two-day Transporting Children with Special Needs training conference in January. The day after the announcement, the 40-attendee maximum had been reached. However, two more editions of the event are planned for 2015.

STI kicks off 4th annual bullying prevention awareness month campaign

“Operation: Bully Free Buses” will include events and activities raising awareness of bullying prevention and promoting kindness while continuing to educate Student Transportation Inc. bus drivers and other employees on how to prevent bullying on the school bus. The company is also promoting an anti-bullying photo contest.

School bus veteran aims to bolster Hillsborough’s operation

Next month, Florida’s Jim Beekman will leave Orange County Public Schools to become general manager of transportation at Hillsborough County Public Schools, which made headlines earlier this year for a flurry of issues, such as staff turmoil and an aging fleet. Beekman, who has more than 30 years of experience in the pupil transportation industry, tells SBF that he is “looking forward to the challenge.”

Southland Transportation buys 101 Blue Bird propane buses

The Canadian school bus contractor adds the large order of Propane Vision units to its existing propane autogas school bus fleet. Southland Transportation VP Tom Jezersek estimates that each propane bus saves about $500 in basic maintenance costs annually.

How do you deal with driver shortage?

One of the challenges in pupil transportation that tends to ebb and flow is shortages of school bus drivers. Our latest survey suggests that the problem has worsened in the past year. Now we want to delve into the solutions that are helping to address driver shortage.