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Editor-in-chief Ryan Gray’s May column, “Avoiding Blurred Lines of Reality,” cautioned that despite the power of AI-enabled technology, student transporters can’t lose the personal touch. Read the article at
stnonline.com/go/may25.
I appreciate someone expressing the same concerns that I have had with something that can be an amazing tool but at the same time should give us pause and think about all aspects. Marisa Weisinger, Executive Director Texas Association for Pupil Transportation
The July issue featured the 2025 Innovator of the Year, Gaurav Sharda, chief technology officer at Beacon Mobility. He has defined his career with people-centric and service-inspired technological innovations that benefit the end user. Read more about Sharda at
stnonline.com/go/july25.
Congratulations, Gaurav! A well-deserved recognition for someone who continues to drive meaningful innovation in our industry. Your people-first approach and tech-forward vision are making a real impact. Excited to see what’s ahead for you and the team at Beacon Mobility! LinkedIn/Martin Staples, CEO of Transportant
Incredible to see Gaurav Sharda recognized as the 2025 Innovator of the Year! Your leadership is such a great example of tech driving real, human impact. Congratulations to you and the entire Beacon Mobility team! LinkedIn/Santosh Akkinapalli
Congratulations, Gaurav. This is fantastic! Your passion and focus on consistently pushing the boundaries of operational efficiency and safety is truly commendable. Well deserved! LinkedIn/Hemant Vashist, CTO of Audax Labs
Huge congratulations Gaurav Sharda, you are amazing! I’ve learned so much from you and am grateful that I had the opportunity to work with you. LinkedIn/Jessica Metcalf, HRIS Analyst at Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
A mandate for real-world range testing before electric school buses can be sold to New York school districts and bus companies has dealers concerned about testing procedures as well as availability and cost. The new state budget seeks to reconcile different range data published by OEMs and those reported by school districts. The requirement goes into effect Jan. 1. Read more at
stnonline.com/go/mw.
Real-world testing is necessary. We all know that the distance a battery will take a vehicle can change due to weather. Cold weather and hot weather both affect the distance. You don’t want children stranded on an extremely hot or cold day because the batteries failed. Facebook/Rosemarie Kahn
10 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2025
Tel: 310-792-2226 Fax: 310-792-2231
stnonline.com
President & Publisher Tony Corpin
Editor Ryan Gray
Senior Editor Taylor Ekbatani
Social Media Coord. Ruth Ashmore
Technical Editor Robert T. Pudlewski
Editorial Intern Merari Acevedo
Senior Designer Kimber Horne
Graphic Design Maria Molina
Circulation Andrea Dugmore
CONTRIBUTORS: Carol Brzozowski Debbie Curtis S.Z. Estavillo Art Gissendaner Kari Lydersen
Chairman of the Board Bill Paul
Vice President Colette Paul
Client Services/ Digital Media Coord. Claudia Newton
Event Manager Alice Hung Sabedra
Sr. Event Coordinator Amy Yamakawa
Event Coordinator Trynne Fournier
Accounting Lisa Douglas
Creative Consultant Vincent Rios Creative, Inc.
Amanda Pampuro Jim Romeo Mark Rowh David Volz Eric Woolson
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Mike Bullman, South Carolina Department of Education Denny Coughlin, Consultant Michael Dorn, Safe Havens International Ned Einstein, Transportation Alternatives Launi Harden, Consultant Pete Meslin, Consultant Alexandra Robinson, Consultant Michael Shields, Consultant
HOW TO CONTACT STN: School Transportation News welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and are subject to editing for grammar, style and space. Submissions must be legible, include a signature, job title/employer name, valid mailing and/or email address, and telephone number. Unsigned letters or letters signed only with a pseudonym or initials will not be used. Email letters to:
ryan@stnmedia.com or send via U.S. mail to:
School Transportation News P.O. Box 789 Redondo Beach, CA 90277
The views and opinions in School Transportation News are those of the editorial staff. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the members of the Editorial Advisory Board or their organizations. Individuals serving on the board are advisors only and are not responsible for the editorial content.
For permission to reuse materials in this publication, contact STN Editor Ryan Gray, at
ryan@stnonline.com, or by phone at 310-792-2226 or by fax at 310-792-2231. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Printed in the U.S.A.
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