2014 NASDPTS Annual Conference
November 9-12, 2014
Kansas City Convention Center
Kansas City, Missouri
It is not too late to take advantage of the 2014 NASDPTS Conference. Attendees are guaranteed a great
opportunity to participate in the most important information and networking exchange available to
anyone involved in school transportation! This year’s conference program is the result of a collaboration
by your board of directors that includes experts from within our association, specialists from our host
state, recognized national experts from across the country, and representatives from federal agencies.
Our Gold and Silver sponsors help us provide an outstanding program, meals, and refreshment breaks.
Join us for an opportunity to network and update your school bus transportation information.
Registration, sponsor information, and lodging information are posted on the NASDPTS website at
www.nasdpts.org on the Conferences and Events page. The program agenda is posted below this
message.
Please join us in Kansas City from November 9-12, 2014 for the most important information exchange of
the year for any and all school transportation stakeholders!
2014 NASDPTS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AND AGENDA
All presentations will be held in Room 1501B of the Kansas City Convention Center. A map is
included on page 6.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Registration, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., outside Room 1501B
Evening dinner and event sponsored by SMI Global and Weldon/Akron Brass
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Registration, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., outside Room 1501B
Breakfast sponsored by HSM Solutions
Welcome and Introductions, 8:45-9:00 a.m.
Max Christensen, NASDPTS President, Iowa State Director of Pupil Transportation
Greetings from our Host State, 8:45-9:00 a.m.
Dr. Roger Dorson, Missouri Department of Education, Coordinator of School Administrative Services
Successfully Transporting Students in Transition, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
Nicole Sequeira, Independence, Missouri School System Homeless Education Coordinator
The Independence School System, led by Ms. Sequeira, is well-known for its successful partnerships and
best practices in meeting the challenge of transporting the growing number of students in transition, our
homeless children.
Unarmed School Bus Drivers’ Response, 9:45-10:30 a.m.
Sgt. Chris Kath, Indiana School Bus Safety Coordinator, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division,
Indiana State Police
The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division recently unveiled two new school bus
safety videos that depict the unarmed response of a school bus driver to an active shooter scenario. The
videos, produced through a joint effort of the Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Education, the
School Transportation Association of Indiana, and the Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation, is
intended to be used as a training tool for school bus drivers to reduce potential injuries and fatalities
which could result during violent acts.
Break sponsored by Heavy Duty Bus Parts
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When Compliance Isn’t Enough, 10:45-11:30 a.m.
Peggy Burns, Esq., Education Compliance Group
Sometimes mere compliance is not enough and won’t spell victory once you get to court. Ms. Burns will
share her expertise when incidents indicate that it is necessary to do more than just comply, as well as
when the law may not go far enough and the school system is expected to make up the service gap. Real
examples will be provided on how to handle a case when staff members’ good judgment doesn’t work.
Lunch sponsored by SoundOff Signal
Supplier Council Presentations, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
We will hear from nine Supplier Council members, Braun Ability, Child Check-Mate System, Collins Bus,
REI, Rosco, Seon, Sound-Off Signal, Tyler Technologies, and Transfinder, on the current and future trends
in their segments of the student transportation industry.
OEM Updates, 2:45-3:30 p.m.
Jeff Carpenter, Blue Bird Corp., VP, North American Bus Sales
Steve Gardner, IC Corp., Regional Sales Manager/National Sales
Ken Hedgecock, Thomas Built Buses, VP of Sales, Marketing, and Service
What’s new in the school bus world? These representatives of three large school bus manufacturers will
share their insights on current and future trends in school transportation.
Break sponsored by SMI Global
National Associations’ Reports, 3:45-4:15 p.m.
Don Carnahan, President, National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT)
Tim Flood, President, National School Transportation Association (NSTA)
Max Christensen, President, National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services
(NASDPTS)
The leaders of the three national student transportation associations will discuss what they see as the
ongoing and emerging issues in student transportation. They will discuss how each association works
collaboratively to focus on the needs of members and the students and professionals we all serve.
SNAC Report to Members, 4:15-4:30 p.m.
David Petersen, Chair, State & National Associations Council, NASDPTS
Thomas-Built Buses Evening Activity, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Test your college basketball knowledge and free throw skills with Thomas Built Buses at the College
Basketball Experience and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, located at the Sprint Center.
Join Thomas and your colleagues for food, drink and fellowship. Casual dress recommended;
transportation will be available to and from the Sprint Center.
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Monday, November 10, 2014
Breakfast sponsored by Rosco Vision Systems
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigations
Report, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Ric Willard, Sr., NHTSA Safety Defects Engineer
Mr. Willard will discuss such topics as what constitutes a defect and how that becomes a formal recall,
as well as why some defects don’t. He will review past and current school bus investigations or recalls.
Spotlight: Focus on Supplier Council Members, 9:00-10:45 a.m.
New products, technologies, and services are the hallmark of our industry. Supplier Council members will
take time to highlight their segments of the student transportation industry.
Break sponsored by Transfinder
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Report, 11:00-11:45 a.m.
The Honorable Acting NTSB Chairman Christopher A. Hart
The Chairman’s presentation is entitled “Seat Belts on School Buses: Lessons Learned from Accidents.” It
will be a discussion of why the NTSB now believes that lap and shoulder belts augment
compartmentalization and provide the highest level of protection for school bus passengers.
Lunch sponsored by SafeGuard/IMMI
Fire Safety Research, 12:45-1:00 p.m.
Joseph Peoples, Senior Consultant, Fire Research, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden
SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden now has a U.S. office, and Mr. Peoples will share his
company’s plans for sharing their research and assisting our industry in making school buses even safer.
American School Bus Council Report, 1:00-1:15
Markus Videnieks, Coordinator, American School Bus Council
Getting to know the American School Bus Council and its role in the industry.
NASDPTS Executive Director’s Report, 1:15-1:30
Charlie Hood, NASDPTS Executive Director
NASDPTS has been tracking issues of importance to state directors, associations, and its supplier partners
and providing guidance and direction on policy trends and high priority issues among NASDPTS and its
members. In this interactive discussion we will also put on our thinking caps and seek your ideas on how
the association can help its members provide even more effective leadership and services.
Committee Meetings, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
State Directors’ Reception for the Supplier Council, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by NASDPTS
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Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Breakfast sponsored by Blue Bird Corporation
Stepping Outside the Bus, 8:00-8:45 a.m.
Peter Crossan, Boston Public Schools Department of Transportation, Fleet and Compliance Manager
Mr. Crossan will give us food for thought in his presentation entitled, "Stepping Outside the Box:
Integrating Technology to Provide Safe, Reliable, and On-Time Service." He will share his experiences on
leveraging critical partnerships and discuss a new piece of his department, a “Safety Desk,” a method to
ensure direct and effective customer service to all stakeholders.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Report, 8:45-9:30 a.m.
William Arrington, General Manager, Office of Highway and Motor Carrier Safety
David Cooper, Industry Engagement Manager, Highway
Mr. Arrington and Mr. Cooper will provide updates on the School Bus First Observer Program, as well as
a discussion of security concerns in surface transportation.
NAPT Trade Show, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
State directors may register for the trade show through NASDPTS; other membership categories should
register through NAPT at www.napt.org
NAPT/NASDPTS Joint Session, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
NAPT Salute to Our Veterans: A Panel Presentation
Return with Honor, Featuring Captain Scott O'Grady
On Tuesday afternoon, we will join with NAPT in a “Salute to Our Veterans” with featured speaker
Captain Scott O'Grady, a former United States Air Force fighter pilot. On June 2, 1995 he was shot down
over Bosnia and forced to eject from his F-16C into hostile territory. After nearly a week of evading the
Serbian army, he was eventually rescued by Marines. The 2001 film, Behind Enemy Lines, is loosely based
upon his experiences.
Honoring Our American School Bus Champions
Like school students, as student transportation professionals, parents, and active community members
we all need champions to lead and guide us. Please join us in honoring two such individuals, who will
represent the newest members of the ASBC Champions club. These emissaries have been on the forefront
in telling the story of the world’s safest means of transportation, the yellow school bus.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Breakfast sponsored by Collins Bus
National Congress on School Transportation Update, 8:00-8:30 a.m.
Murrell Martin, Utah State Office of Education, Pupil Transportation Specialist and NCST Steering
Committee Chair
Mr. Martin will provide an update on preparations for the 16th National Congress on School
Transportation to be held in Warrensburg, Missouri, from Sunday, May 17 to Thursday, May 21, 2015.
Environmental Protection Agency Report, 8:30-9:15 a.m.
Jennifer Keller, EPA Program Manager
Ms. Keller will review recent DERA funding and rebate programs, give us updates on any upcoming new
engine and emission requirements, and discuss new medium duty truck CAFÉ (fuel mileage) rules.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Report, 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Robert Mazurowski, NHTSA Safety Standards Engineer and Rule-Making
Kristie Johnson, NHTSA Research Psychologist
These NHTSA presenters will review an upcoming study on stop arm camera effectiveness, as well as any
future research on school bus lighting and markings.
Break sponsored by SynTec Seating
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Report, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Charles Horan, FMCSA, Office Director for Carrier, Driver and Vehicle Safety
Mr. Horan will report on Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners,
the National Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Testing rulemaking, and, any potential CDL and entrylevel driver training (ELDT) rulemaking and program changes.
Washington State Efficiency Ratings and KPIs, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Allan Jones, Washington State Director of Pupil Transportation
Washington State is in the third year of requiring efficiency ratings of school district transportation
operations. The presentation includes a system description, an overview of results and lessons learned.
Also included will be the set of three Key Performance Indicators developed to assist school districts with
self-evaluation: basic riders per basic bus, special education riders per special education bus and average
cost per student.
Lunch sponsored by IC Corporation
NASDPTS Business Meeting (State Directors Only), 12:30-1:00 p.m.
Conference Adjourns, 1:00 p.m.
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Kansas City Convention Center
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