Volume 4......December 2025
STAI Address Change
STAI has changed mailing address. This is the address to mail all checks to:
NAPT Hall of Fame
During this year's NAPT conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Alexandra Robinson was inducted into the NAPT Hall of Fame.
This well-deserved recognition celebrates Robinson’s more than 30 years of leadership, expertise, and commitment to student transportation. Among other leadership roles, Alex was the Transportation Director of New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and through her sharing of everything she went through that day, schools are a safer place today.
Join us in congratulating Alexandra on this remarkable achievement and in celebrating her lasting impact on creating safe, equitable transportation for all students.
The week of Oct 20 was School Bus Safety Week. Organizations nationwide came together to champion school bus safety. Partners included the School Transportation Association of Indiana, Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation, the National School Transportation Association, Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing, Blue Bird Corporation, and ROUSH CleanTech. Their message is clear: Stopping for a school bus isn’t optional—it’s the law and a matter of life and death.
To amplify awareness, RFK Racing driver Ryan Preece stars in a new video campaign, reminding everyone that even professional drivers stop for school buses. Behind the wheel of the No. 60 car, Preece reinforces a critical truth: Safety around school buses is everyone’s responsibility—no matter your driving experience. Click the picture below to view the video
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What are you doing over Break?
Sometimes, working in a school setting, you are asked a variety of questions such as: What are you doing over break? Little have they thought about what you really do during any kind of break.
Transportation directors remain responsible for the safety and efficiency of school transportation systems year-round. Even when students are out, directors often:
- Plan and Adjust Routes for January
Break time is used to finalize or tweak bus routes for the second semester, especially if there are enrollment changes or new construction impacting boundaries. This ensures smooth operations when school resumes. [interviewguy.com] - Vehicle Maintenance and Inspections
With buses idle, directors schedule preventive maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections. This downtime is ideal for addressing mechanical issues without disrupting daily routes. [www.vapt.org] - Budget Review and Forecasting
Directors analyze transportation budgets, review spending trends, and plan for upcoming expenses like fuel and parts. This helps maintain cost efficiency for the remainder of the school year. [schoolbusfleet.com] - Staff Training and Scheduling
Some districts use the break for driver training refreshers or to prepare substitute coverage for January. Directors also confirm staffing for field trips or special events scheduled after break. [interviewguy.com]
Safety and Emergency Planning
Directors often collaborate with school safety teams during breaks to update emergency operations plans (EOPs). This includes reviewing protocols for winter hazards, severe weather, and other contingencies that could affect transportation. [rems.ed.gov]
Community and Administrative Tasks
While not universal, some directors participate in district-wide holiday activities or service projects, fostering team morale and community engagement. [teachingex...ertise.com]
In short, Christmas break is less about downtime and more about strategic planning, maintenance, compliance, and readiness for the next semester. However, it is extremely important that you take care of yourself and carve out quality time for your family and friends.
The state of Indiana is divided into 10 STAI regions represented by a regional director who serves on the Board of the School Transportation Association of Indiana (STAI).
Each region have meetings open to anyone in the region who wants to attend. The regional meetings bring important information to you from a state and federal level along with being an opportunity for you to explore your areas of interest or concern with fellow transportation personnel.
Join the discussion and join your Region's Circle by clicking 'Circles' in the Main Menu.
Don’t know what region you’re in? Take a look at the map to guide you.
