HOUSTON (March 26, 2007) — Charley Kennington was slated to be the next president of NASDPTS once Derek Graham’s current tenure is up in the fall of 2008.

Charley Kennington leaves the Texas Department of Safety to lead the transportation unit at the Region 4 Education Services Center.

The state director’s association will have to turn elsewhere after Kennington announced his resignation on March 26 from his school bus administrator position at the Texas Department of Public Safety effective April 2. He will become the director of transportation services for the Region 4 Education Service Center, the largest student population of 20 state service centers established by the Texas Legislature in 1967 to provide school districts with professional development training and technical assistance that support statewide goals for school improvement.

“I am really sorry my resignation will place a hardship on you,” Kennington wrote to NASDPTS president Derek Graham, adding he will continue to be available until his successor is named. Graham shared excerpts of the email with NASDPTS members and partners.

Kennington was scheduled to take an active role in again planning the upcoming NASDPTS annual conference in Grand Rapids, Mich., this fall. He has been a frequent conference speaker at such industry shows the Southeastern States show, NAPT and most recently at the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Preschoolers 16th Conference earlier this month in Louisville, Ky.

“Those of you (who) know Charley know that he is a hard worker and will be sorely missed as a state director and as president-elect,” Graham said.
According to the NASDPTS Constitution, Graham said the board of directors has responsibility to fill the position “and will make every effort to do so within 60 days.”

In an unrelated move, Kathryn Cook resigned as Region 4 ESC’s education specialist in charge of special needs and transportation issues to become a full-time consultant. The frequent industry presenter at NAPT and the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Preschoolers conferences said she anticipates continued work with Region 4 and with her friend and associate Kennington, who will take over her bus driver and instructor training programs.

“It frankly is a wonderful step for transportation,” she said.