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School Transportation News Published by STN Media Group


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Leveling the Playing Field The October special report “NCST Takes on Issue of Non- School Bus Transportation” looked at industry efforts to standardize different regulations for different vehicles and services in lieu of the yellow school bus. Read the article at stnonline.com/go/hm.


Your October article did a good job of laying out the questions


and opportunities presented with alternative transportation options for students. The biggest opportunity facing this community is developing recommendations for a national standard. More children than ever are being transported to and from school via alternative transportation because more people understand the benefits of customized transportation solutions designed to meet students’ individual needs. Strong standards are critical because regardless of what type of vehicle is being used, this is still student transportation. I have been involved with alternative student transportation for


14 years. Ensuring a safe, reliable, and enjoyable ride for students on all vehicle types is my passion. As the first-ever chair of the Non-Traditional Vehicle Writing Committee for the National Congress on School Transportation (NCST), we will kick off our efforts on setting standards when we gather at the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) convention this November. Some progress has already been made at the state level.


Georgia has published its first alternative transportation standards and, just recently, California passed SB 88, holding all types of student transportation companies to the same standard. We need problem solvers in the alternative transportation


industry to help develop solutions if we’re going to meet the needs of this population. Thankfully, the industry is in good hands. STN’s “Transportation Director of the Year,” Teresa Fleming, is a member of our NCST standards committee and just one example of the dedicated, experienced professionals setting high standards for quality and safety. I welcome others to lend their voices and join our committee. Help us raise the bar for safety and quality in alternative student transportation. Reach out to me directly at Gregg.Prettyman@firstgroup.com.


Gregg Prettyman, Vice President FirstAlt at First Student, Inc.


For the Record The October special report on alternative transportation to school busing incorrectly stated a requirement of a new Colorado law on school transportation network companies. The state public utility commission now approves company driver training programs in consultation with the Colorado Department of Education.


8 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2023


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 Linda F. Bluth, Ed. D. Debbie Curtis 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


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Event Services Coordinator Trynne Lilleskare


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:


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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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