Volume 6 ......February 2026

 2026 Conference Registration Now Open

We’re excited to announce that registration for the 2026 STAI Annual Conference & Trade Show is officially open! This year, we’ll once again gather at the Grand Wayne Convention Center on June 23, 24, and 25 for three days of learning, collaboration, and industry engagement.

Hotel accommodations are currently being finalized with the Hilton at the Grand Wayne. As soon as our room block is confirmed, registered attendees will receive a dedicated link to secure lodging at the special conference rate.

Our 2026 theme, SAFE26 – Safety, Awareness, Fleet Management, Excellence, highlights our shared commitment to ensuring students travel safely each and every day. The road to student safety starts here—and we can’t wait to explore it together.

Stay tuned for more details, and be sure to register today!  Members  Sponsors 

 Love the Bus Month

February is "Love the Bus" month. The yellow bus is more than just a mode of transportation; it is a symbol of community, safety, and opportunity. #STAIndiana#LoveTheBushttps://stai.memberclicks.net

  Coming This Spring: New STAI Professional Development Series

 Get ready! STAI is preparing to launch a new professional development series this spring as part of its ongoing PD offerings. This upcoming series will spotlight the essential topics that driver trainers should cover when working with aspiring school bus drivers on their journey toward earning a Class B CDL with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements.

 Designed to support high-quality, consistent training across Indiana, the series will break down key competencies, expectations, and best practices that every future school bus driver should master. Stay tuned for release details and session outlines in the coming months!

 Summary of Proposed School Transportation Legislation

(Presented by Mike LaRocco, DOE Director of Transportation)

 House Bill 1059 – Commercial Advertising on School Buses

This bill would allow school corporations to display commercial advertising on school buses if the local governing body adopts a compliant policy. Advertisements would be limited to the rear quarter panels of the bus, with a maximum of two ads per bus and size restrictions of 36 inches in height and 90 inches in length. School corporations must establish content guidelines, and although the bill includes certain content restrictions, these requirements are not highly prescriptive. HB 1059 has been assigned to the Committee on Education and is currently awaiting its first hearing.

 Senate Bill 62 – Firearm Possession by a Child

Senate Bill 62 renames the offense as “unlawful possession of a firearm by a child” and creates an enhanced penalty (a Level 5 felony) when the offense occurs on school property, within 500 feet of school property, or on a school bus. The bill is aimed at addressing incidents involving children bringing or leaving firearms on buses or school grounds. It has been assigned to the Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law and is currently in committee.

 Senate Bill 86 – Local Transportation Boards & Charter Schools

SB 86 updates the structure and function of local transportation boards formed to coordinate transportation among public, non-public, and charter schools. It requires boards to have an odd number of members, with at least five minimum. The bill also amends several sections of Indiana Code 20‑27 (the primary school transportation statute) to clarify which provisions apply to charter schools. Under this proposal, charter schools would fall under certain transportation requirements when their students reside within district boundaries, though the bill does not necessarily require districts to provide transportation directly. SB 86 is assigned to the Committee on Education and Career Development and remains in committee.

 Legislative Process & Current Status

All three bills are in early stages, currently sitting in their respective committees awaiting hearings and votes. The standard legislative process will include committee hearings, committee votes, floor debate in each chamber, and potential amendments. With this session expected to conclude by the end of February, outcomes remain uncertain.

Take the Poll - Should the bill to allow advertising on buses be passed?

 Indiana School Transportation: Key Spring Readiness Priorities for Early 2026

 As winter winds down, Indiana school transportation teams are shifting toward spring operations. With lingering cold snaps, thaw-related maintenance needs, increased extracurricular travel, and end‑of‑year activity planning, February is the ideal time to focus on proactive safety, compliance, and operational readiness.

 Top Focus Areas for Transportation Directors

With more outdoor activity and higher transportation demand this season, spring is a critical period for safety and operational excellence. Staying ahead now helps districts finish the year smoothly and prepares teams for summer and fall planning.

 Navigating Indiana's Winter Weather School Decisions: How Districts Decide to Close, Delay, or Stay Open

  As central Indiana digs out from a historic cold snap with wind chills plunging to -20°F and below, many parents have faced last-minute switches from in-person classes to delays or e-learning. Frustrations over late notifications are common, but the process behind these calls prioritizes student safety above all. Here's a clear look at how Indiana school districts make these tough decisions.

• Road conditions — Staff or transportation teams drive routes early (often starting 3–5 a.m.) to check for ice, snow accumulation, or hazards. They consult local law enforcement, highway departments, and neighboring districts for consistency.
• Weather forecasts and current temps — Input from the National Weather Service, meteorologists, or services like The Weather Channel. Extreme cold (e.g., below 0°F air temp or severe wind chills) can cause diesel bus issues (fuel gelling, starting problems) or make waiting unsafe.
• Student exposure — Time kids spend outside at stops, walking, or traveling. A 2-hour delay often gives roads time to warm/clear and reduces pre-dawn exposure when it's coldest.
• Transportation logistics — Bus driver availability, mechanical readiness in cold, and route feasibility.
• Building and operational readiness — Heating systems, sidewalk clearing, and parking lot safety.
• Coordination — Many districts check with nearby systems to align decisions and avoid confusion for families with kids in multiple schools.

• Evening before — Monitor forecasts; rare "night-before" calls if severe conditions are certain.
• Early morning (3–5 a.m.) — Road checks, team consultations, superintendent discussions. For IPS, assessments begin around 4:45 a.m., with a deputy superintendent recommending to the superintendent by ~5 a.m.
• Final call — Superintendent decides, targeting notifications by 6 a.m. via apps, texts/emails (e.g., School Messenger), websites, and local media.
• Post-delay adjustments — If a delay is called first (common to "wait and see"), conditions can worsen, leading to a switch to e-learning or full closure by mid-morning (e.g., 8 a.m.).

• Late notifications — Last-minute switches (e.g., from delay to e-learning announced early morning) disrupt work schedules, childcare, and family plans. One parent noted it leaves little time to arrange alternatives.
• Bus stop safety in sub-zero temps — Concerns focus on children standing in extreme cold for extended periods, with wet/cold feet from snow piles or poor sidewalk clearing. Some argue districts should proactively call e-learning earlier based on forecasts rather than waiting for morning confirmation.
• Inconsistency and planning challenges — Repeated flips create uncertainty; parents want more "common sense" thresholds (e.g., automatic e-learning below 0°F) or better communication.
• Broader sentiment includes debates over whether to push through for in-person learning or prioritize safety, with some calling for calendar buffers (e.g., built-in snow days) to avoid maxing out instructional days.

NAPT Elects New Region 3 Director in Special Election

Heather Free – NAPT Region 3 Director

Heather Free serves as the Regional Director for Region 3 of the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), elected during the association’s 2026 special election. In this role, Free represents pupil transportation professionals across a broad multi‑state region and brings a collaboration‑driven leadership style grounded in policy knowledge and practical experience.

 A seasoned education and transportation leader, Free is a Program Administrator with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Her work includes statewide engagement with education and transportation stakeholders, program oversight, and policy implementation—experience that equips her to advocate effectively for Region 3 members. Colleagues highlight her thoughtful, collaborative approach and strong understanding of how state and local policy intersect.

 Free’s background also includes supervisory roles in pupil transportation at both Troy City Schools and Vandalia Schools, giving her firsthand perspective at the district level.

 Her election followed a competitive race featuring multiple experienced candidates, and she earned recognition for her commitment to service and member engagement within NAPT. Leaders within the association praised her ability to bring valuable insight and fresh perspective to the Board. 

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