Outgoing NASDPTS president looks back at pupil transportation triumps from past year

Looking back is always a bit scary because there is real danger in focusing on what you have done instead of what you have yet to do. But at the same time, it is valuable in helping us to track our progress and to learn from our experiences. Much like the use of the bread crumb feature in today’s GPS devices, we get to see if our path is consistently moving in the direction we had hoped. Following is a brief review of some of the activities that I believe stand out (presented in no particular order):

Terrorism-Related Activity
With the nation’s heightened awareness of terrorism, representatives from the school bus industry have been working with government and other agencies to make training materials available to our nation’s school bus professionals. Through this work, two industry-supported training programs have been rolled out, School Bus Watch and the School Transportation Security Awareness (STSA) training programs. Many of our nation’s school transporters are now using these materials to educate their staff.

School Bus Safety Week
The National School Transportation Association led a drive, along with NASDPTS and NAPT, to sponsor a bill wherein Congress officially recognized school bus safety week. In an incredible display of bipartisan support, driven by communication from school transporters nationwide, our U.S. House of Representatives passed formal recognition of this industry institution. Many thanks to our friends at NSTA for leading us all in this effort.

The 3Ns, 3Ps, 3Ms, etc.
It has been said that, “The only strong front is a united front.” Over the last couple years, we have finally figured out this is also true in our industry. After a number of false starts, a bit of trepidation and a bit of gentle persuasion, a process is in place where we are now working together on a regular basis. Representatives from the three national associations have been meeting regularly in Chicago, at national conferences, and in Washington D.C. to synchronize our efforts with regard to industry initiatives. The process has been so successful that now the three major school bus manufacturers have come to the table with us. One of the outgrowths of this process has been regular communication and cooperative efforts by the presidents of the three organizations, often represented in what have become known as 3P letters, written on a newly created letterhead with all three association logos. While some have feared for the loss of individuality of the associations, quite the opposite has occurred. It seems that one of the by-products of the coalition is that each national association has grown stronger, with each providing unique and definitive services for its members.

Renewed Inter-Association Relationships
These relationships are most certainly a result of the coalition work described above. Over the last year, the three association presidents have attended each others’ conferences and met with members of each of the national associations. The discussions have been energetic and inspired and allowed us to rediscover our strengths and common goals. This has led to better interaction between the different membership groups and allowed closer alignment on various initiatives.

Industry Support in Natural Disasters
Kudos to our industry members on their participation and support of each other during the past year’s natural disasters. Just when our parochialism seems to be reigning supreme, something happens to get us out of our small world and realize that we are all in it together.

Incorporation of National ‘S’ Endorsement
Over the past year, all the states worked toward the implementation of the federal school bus endorsement. Differences in training practices, record keeping, understanding of the federal intent, and unanticipated impacts all became topics of discussion and opportunities to learn, study, adjust, and move forward.

NASDPTS Restructuring for the Future
Finally, NASDPTS as an organization continues it internal process of restructuring for the future. Charlie Gauthier retired as our first executive director with our sincere appreciation for his years of dedication. In managing our redesign for the future, the organization has realigned its staffing structure, and continues to move forward on a plan to build strength and depth as we continue to look forward to the future.

In summary, we all live under an umbrella of extremely high expectations. Together, we are strong enough to meet and even surpass those expectations. While the accomplishments of yesterday are significant, they are only a hint of the great things still to come. v

Japikse served as NASDPTS president from 2004 through this month. He is also the state director of pupil transportation at the Ohio Department of Education.

Reprinted from the October 2006 issue of School Transportation News magazine. All rights reserved.