HEADLINES
NAPT Program Recommends Products, Builds Relationships
In any industry there are partnerships that evolve through
like-minded goals and objectives. For members of the school bus industry, the main goal is ensuring the safe and reliable daily transportation of the country’s school children. A little more than a year ago, the National Association for Pupil Transporta- tion introduced a program that showed how the relationship between one of the industry’s main organizations and its ven- dors can help others meet that goal. “Our goal is to help our members shop and buy with confidence,
knowing that we will only recommend a product or service when we have assurance it will be available to our members at the lowest available retail price,” said NAPT Executive Director Mike Martin. Te idea came about during a strategic planning meeting in
February 2009 and evolved over the next two and a half months, with the group regularly seeking the advice of counsel while cre- ating and refining the parameters. Tat May, NAPT announced the program, which currently has only approved six products.
“Partnerships are what matters between districts, vendors
and associations — we all have a valuable part to play to keep the kids safe,” said Jeff Cassell, vice president of school district operations for School Bus Safety Company, which was the first company that gained approval. Te products go through the rigors before approval, though,
and must meet a list of requirements. Te NAPT Board uses a three-step process during evaluation, which includes a submission of an application from the vendor, a vote in favor by a majority of the NAPT Board, and then an agreement between the board and the vendor that the company will not enter into a similar en- dorsement program or promotional agreement with any other national, regional, state or local association for pupil transporta- tion or other non-profit organization that is similar to NAPT. “NAPT’s recognition of Zonar as a recommended product
is important because we both have the same objective and it is great to receive this recognition that we are helping their members by providing quality products and service,” said Don Carnahan, Zonar’s vice president of business development for pupil transportation. Also, the product must be: essential to personal growth and de-
velopment, staff development, human resources management, or operational safety and efficiency; sold only by an NAPT Business Partner; offered to NAPT members at the lowest available retail price; and available at that price to NAPT members only. And the companies involved are appreciative of the recognition. “We are honored to be chosen by this organization as a ‘Rec-
ommended Service,’ and look forward to partnering with them in providing safe, efficient transportation services to school chil- dren across the nation,” said American Logistics’ Chris Tomas. For 247 Security, the partnership has been a rewarding experi-
ence, according to Rob Scott, vice president of sales and marketing. “Our association with NAPT is important as we strive to bring
the very best digital video solutions to the school bus industry. NAPT members have been invaluable as guides through our product development and we look forward to a long, continuing partnership,” said Scott. Te Hazelden Foundation, a national publisher of evidence-
based prevention programs for K-12 schools, was recently added to the list of recommended programs with its Peaceful School Bus Program, which is designed to curb bullying on school buses. “Bullying can have a huge impact on the well-being of students
and it can create serious liability issues for school districts and school transportation providers. Tis is an issue that all of our members should take seriously and address in effective ways,” added NAPT’s Martin. n
More information is available at
naptonline.org. See Us At Booth # 230 26 School Transportation News Magazine July 2010
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