Virginia association offers scholarship in memory of Sonny Merryman

The founder of school bus dealership Sonny Merryman Inc., who passed away in December, provided hundreds of students in Virginia with scholarship assistance. The Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation offers a $2,500 scholarship that is available to seniors at public schools in Virginia who have a parent or grandparent currently or formerly employed in the public school pupil transportation field within the state.

Indiana district gives 3-year notice to end bus service

The Decatur Township school board passes a resolution to notify the Indiana Department of Education that it may terminate transportation services in 2017. Superintendent Matt Prusiecki says that "unfortunately, due to our financial situation, this is a cut we need to consider," but it could be avoided if local voters pass a property tax increase.

Communities go yellow for ‘Love the Bus’

Pupil transportation operations and associations around the country are showing their appreciation for school bus drivers and recognizing the important role that yellow buses play in students’ education with “Love the Bus” celebrations this month.

Seattle district approves busing cuts, arrival time changes

Seattle Public Schools’ board members sign off on a transportation plan for 2014-15 that includes shifting bus arrival times back by about 10 minutes (a previous proposal called for adding 10 minutes to the start time of middle and high schools). Also, board members approve ending transportation service to option school students who live outside that school’s middle school attendance area, among other measures.

Illinois state director Cinda Meneghetti to retire

Meneghetti, who has served as the state's director of pupil transportation for nearly 10 years, will step down at the end of February. Here, she reflects on her work with Illinois' instructors — who teach about 28,000 drivers annually — her efforts to educate legislators and the public about school bus issues, and the "caring and passionate people" she has worked with in the industry.

Collins Bus Corp. promotes Matt Scheuler to VP

Scheuler now serves as vice president of sales and marketing at the Type A school bus manufacturing company. He has held a variety of roles for the company — most recently director of sales.

Cooperative helps districts save money, time

Walla Walla (Wash.) School District won matching funds from the state to obtain funds for a facility to support a cooperative that serves three school district transportation departments, and it hasn't cost taxpayers additional tax dollars. The Southeast Washington Transportation Cooperative provides vehicle maintenance at a fraction of the cost of local shops as well as a driver training program that saves districts staff and time.

Pupil Transportation in Pictures — Winter 2014

Transportation agreement extended for students in UAE

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education has extended for three years its agreement with Emirates Transport for transportation of students of the ministry’s government schools. The deal provides 2,113 school buses and more than 2,000 drivers to government schools.

Team stays proactive to maintain safe service

From its school bus maintenance to its driver training, the transportation employees at Forest Hills Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Mich., look ahead and analyze information to identify potential problems or areas that need improvement.