review any number of driver safety flags, such as harsh break, harsh turn, speeding, distracted driving, or crash alerts. These units also allow us to tap into the dashcam for live footage in the case of a school bus emergen- cy and to pull camera footage from the Samsara cloud within minutes, helping us investigate any of the myriad concerns brought to us by our internal or community stakeholders. “Another benefit of our Samsara installation project is the assistance to our maintenance team by tapping directly into the bus’s ECM and displaying live diagnostic information. This helps our technicians follow the health of their buses by seeing fuel levels and warning lights without having to depend solely on driver reporting.” Other recent initiatives consist of several shop im-


provements, including the purchase of a tire mount and balance machine for district fleet vehicles, which has already paid for itself as New Hanover no longer needs to outsource the work. Additionally, transportation pur- chased a new state inspection computer to also keep the process in-house. Another aspect taken internally is tire pressure monitoring, as this year the district invested in a tire pressure sensor scan tool. Uniforms were also updat- ed to add reflective stripping, increasing mechanic safety. More shop updates include air coolers to combat the warm summers. This year, New Hanover also invested in a construction project to frame out one wall of the North Shop and install a rolltop door, allowing for a three-sided enclosure to help shelter the mechanics during in-


clement weather. It also invested in a vendor-managed stocking solutions in both shops for common consum- ables, such as nuts and bolts, windshield wipers and hose clamps.


“This has been a great step in efficiency and time


saving for both our parts clerk and mechanics,” Bittner said. “It also keeps our fleet from being parked due to out of stock on simple low-cost items essential to vehicle functionality.” Additionally, in the last two years New Hanover has placed electric school buses into service, resulting in minimal intervention from the maintenance team as most repairs and maintenance are completed by the manu- facturer. Bittner said staff worked with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to develop a preventable maintenance plan for electric buses, which is being added to the next draft of the state’s director’s manual. Bitner, going on his third year in school transportation


but serving in public education since 2005, said his advice to new fleet managers is to look, listen and observe. “Have a conversation with each mechanic about what


is working, what needs improvement and what changes they’d suggest,” he advised. “Also, truly get to know your budget/funding sources. This will allow you to know what investments you can make in your shop, facilities and your people. The continued conversations I have with my mechanics are centered around what we can do to make their jobs easier and more efficient, so we can work smarter, not harder.”


Michael Pendergraph: Carrying On a Legacy Transportation Shop Supervisor Savannah Chatham County Public School System, Georgia


For Michael Pendergraph, working in school transportation isn’t just a job—it’s a legacy.


Following in the footsteps of his father, a school bus mechanic from 1972 to 1992, Pend- ergraph began his own career in pupil transportation on May 11, 1998. Now, with over 27 years of service under his belt, he continues to take immense pride in the role he plays in ensuring students get to and from school safely every day. Pendergraph’s day begins before dawn, rising at 3:30 a.m. to prepare for the early shift.


He oversees a complex operation, managing everything from hands-on repairs to administrative responsibilities, of- ten staying as late as 8 p.m., when the final bus returns. With 313 school buses and 21 white fleet vehicles in service, Pendergraph leads a hardworking team of seven mechanics and two assistant supervisors. Despite ongoing staffing challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic, his team remains committed to excellence. A significant evolution in his career, he said, was the shift to electric school buses. Savannah Chatham now oper-


ates 25 electric school buses. “The quiet motors and the fact that there’s no oil to change is definitely something to get accustomed to,” Pendergraph noted. While the bus garage hasn’t received major upgrades in the last five years, updates are expected later this year or in early 2026—something he’s eagerly anticipating. Pendergraph has a certification in special equipment as well as deep knowledge in engine and transmission


repair, air brakes, electrical systems, air conditioning and suspension work. He brings hands-on expertise and prob- lem-solving to every corner of his department.


38 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2025


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