Friday, July 10
As of 3/6/26. Subject to change.
General Session
8 a.m – 12 p.m.
Elements of School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training
Location: Naples 6 & 7
Presenters: Jim Levine & John Zippay
Description: This 4-hour seminar that launches STN EXPO West features intensive training designed specifically for school bus drivers and transportation staff to address critical safety gaps in handling high-stress, life-threatening situations. Led by experts with law enforcement experience, the program focuses on equipping school bus drivers with practical, scenario-based response skills tailored to the unique challenges of the school bus environment, such as confined spaces, limited exits, and the presence of children. The training emphasizes the legal doctrine of in loco parentis, crisis de-escalation techniques, juvenile behavioral intelligence, and active threat response strategies. Key topics include recognizing and responding to threats, managing conflicts, identifying early warning signs of violence, and taking life-preserving actions during active threats. By reinforcing lawful decision-making and reducing hesitation under pressure, the seminar aims to empower drivers with clarity, confidence, and the ability to act decisively in critical moments. The program ultimately seeks to enhance school bus safety and protect students and staff in emergency situations.
Special Training
8 a.m – 2 p.m.
National School Bus Inspection Training Program
Location: Naples 1 – 4
Instructors: Derek Bryant, ASE; Alan Fidler, MSD of Lawrence Township; Jannet Malig, Long Beach (California) Clean Cities; Lawson Mollica, Long Beach (California) Clean Cities; Harley Pinson, Paulding County School District & Brian Reu
Description: Developed by school bus maintenance and inspection expert Marshall Casey, STN EXPO offers the National School Bus Inspection Training Program to fully train technicians on how to conduct regular vehicle inspections, above and beyond state or federal Department of Transportation guidance. The program is derived from best practices used in overseeing the maintenance of school buses in South Carolina, the only completely owned and operated state fleet in the nation. Attendees will learn how to discover more defects prior to failure, which allows for expedited repairs, increased vehicle uptime, and a more efficient maintenance program. Friday’s agenda includes eight hours of classroom instruction, including preparation for a written exam, with a second day of hands-on identification planned for defects on real school buses, hosted by Washoe County School District and with transportation provided.
(Maximum of 50 participants. Separate registration is required.)
Special Training
9 a.m – 12 p.m.
Mastering Wheelchair & Occupant Securement Training Certification Class
Location:Tuscany 11 & 12
Instructor: Maritza Valentin
Description: At this Training Boot Camp, student transporters will learn to train with AMF Bruns’ recently launched automatic and self-tensioning Silver Series retractors. With this course, school transportation professionals will be provided the tools to support and teach their teams proper safety techniques, which included hands-on training. The key objective to this course include: Overview of equipment, Securing the wheelchair, Securing the occupant with a different variety of occupant securements, Understanding your vehicle floor anchorages, WC 18 and WC 19 and understanding the regulation; identifying a WC 19 wheelchair, Raising awareness about risks of not properly securing passengers, Deboarding passengers, and Passenger sensitivity/etiquette.
Certification will be provided upon completion of this course.
This seminar is available to Main Conference Attendees but requires separate registration at no extra charge. Class size is limited to 50 participants.
(Maximum of 80 participants. Separate registration required.)
Presented by
TD Summit
3 p.m – 6 p.m.
Transportation Director Summit (Apply for Approval)
Welcome, Hot Industry Topic Discussion, Networking & Refreshments
Location: Tuscany E & F
Speaker: Tony Corpin, School Transportation News, Publisher
Both days attendance required. Transportation, breakfast and lunch provided on Saturday, July 11.
Applications will be reviewed once submitted and our team will reach out to confirm approvals. Pre-event survey is required to be completed prior to the event in order to gain entry.
Special Training
8 a.m – 2 p.m.