(Jan. 12, 2007) — What exactly constitutes free speech?

Seemingly a strange question to ask of pupil transporters, and even a more peculiar topic for the Transporting Students with Disabilities & Preschoolers 16th National Conference & Exhibition in Louisville, Ky., to be held March 9 through 14.

Each year approximately 600 special needs transporters attend the show to pow-wow on the latest trends affecting operations. This year, amid the nation’s 19th largest school bus fleet at nearby Jefferson County Public Schools, the fourth annual executive briefing will take on new life. Previous years included discussions of law and compliance issues and human resources.

“The First Amendment is taking a front seat on a surprising number of school bus issues,” said conference chair and organizer Roseanne Schwaderer of Edupro Group. “Bus video, privacy concerns, advertising, employee discipline, unionization, co-worker behavior, religious, employee complaints ... All of those things of course have been addressed at various times, but to put them in the pack of First Amendment rights, I think it’s going to be a fantastic look at what you might not have considered per the constitution.”

Understanding such issues is but part of the conference’s theme “Going All Out: Doing Your Best,” with a special focus on ongoing professional development.

“For instance, within the main conference program, our cadre of experts in special needs transportation will offer bootstraps to those wanting to step up, with sessions on decision-making, organizational behavior, mentoring and improving leadership abilities,” added Schwaderer, who was recognized by NAPT in November with the Special Needs Transportation Award sponsored by Sure-Lok, Inc.

As part of the conference, the 10th National Special Needs Team Safety Roadeo will be held on March 10 at the Jefferson County Public Schools Nichols Garage.

More information on the 2007 conference, including online registration, is available at www.eduprogroup.com.

Source: School Transportation News, January 2007. All rights reserved.