ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — School district administrators, transportation staff members, school bus contractors, Head Start employees and Bureau of Indian Affairs organizations gathered last month to enhance their transportation knowledge, learn new ideas and stay abreast of current legislative issues facing the industry during the 7th annual New Mexico School Transportation Conference.

The event was held in Albuquerque Nov. 14-16. The 8th Annual New Mexico School Transportation Conference is scheduled for Nov. 13-15, 2009, also in Albuquerque.

Gilbert Perea, the state’s transportation director, conducted a general session addressing the urgent need to streamline transportation operations to obtain the highest level of efficiency. Mike Martin, NAPT executive director, presented the keynote speech during the annual banquet, reinforcing the challenges and changes being discussed at the national level.

Additional training and workshop classes were well attended and ranged in topics from new administrator training to NAPT professional development training, passenger management and Head Start/BIA/state regulations and requirements.

The trade show presented an opportunity for conference participants to meet and talk to the numerous transportation vendors in attendance. Local school bus dealerships displayed several of the newest offerings by Blue Bird, International and Thomas Built Buses.