The executive director of the Tennessee Association for Pupil Transportation said members are looking forward to the 38th Annual NAPT Summit as a chance to meet on a variety of important issues affecting student transportation services nationwide, plus to share with other attendees sights and sounds of Memphis.

Larry Riggsbee told School Transportation News that, like in other states, the economy continues to be a burden on Tennessee school districts. The fact that NAPT as well as NASDPTS choosing Memphis as its home during School Bus Safety Week this month means student transporters can take advantage of educational and networking opportunities without needing to get approval to leave the state, which has become harder and harder to come by.

“Thankfully, we have not had an (Department of Education) funding issues that would affect our service level to the students or the overall safety of our operations,” he said. “The Memphis location of the Summit has really been a great financial help to our folks who plan to attend the conference.”

Helping things, he added, is that NAPT’s conference program “looks to be one of the best, ever.”

Riggsbee said TAPT is also moving “full-speed ahead” on its promotion of School Bus Safety Week through its annual poster contest, with this year's winners being among the entries that will be judged during the national competition held during the NAPT Trade Show on Oct. 23 and 24.

Riggsbee said TAPT members will also be happy to provide information on Memphis to their visiting colleagues.

“The Mississippi River is a little low on water, but the blues clubs and restaurants that line Beale Street will be high on entertainment,” he said. “Our members will be ready to offer local advice about the many great places to see in the Memphis area.”