Volume 8 ......April 2026

Volume 7 ......March 2026

Volume 6 ......February 2026

Volume 5 ......January 2026

Volume 4......December 2025

Volume 3......November 2025

Volume 2......October 2025

Volume 1......September 2025

In my professional career I have taken on various roles and responsibilities. Working in a small school often required me to juggle multiple hats at once. None of them have satisfied me more than being Director of Transportation.  When I retired, I thought that the stress of starting a new school year would be behind me. But now, I find myself missing this time of the year. Only someone who has sat in the director's chair can truly understand this feeling.

Staying Safe on the Road: All About the School Transportation Association of Indiana Region 7

Do you ever wonder about the hard-working folks who get your child safely to and from school every day? If you live in Putnam, Vermillion, Parke, Morgan, Vigo, Clay, Owen, Monroe, Greene, or Sullivan County, Indiana, then those heroes are members of the School Transportation Association of Indiana (STAI) Region 7.

I had the opportunity to meet with Region 9 on yesterday with Region 9 director Ryan Williams at Snitzelbank Restaurant in Jasper.  If you have not had the opportunity to visit Snitzelbank, I highly recommend that you plan to eat there.  What a place it is! Region 9 is in the southwestern part of the state and includes 14 counties. It ranges from school districts with 200 routes to districts with 9 routes. 

It is time to start getting excited for the 2024 Safety Competition held on June 22nd at Franklin Central Jr. High School.  This will be our first competition post pandemic and we are so excited to have it back.  Go to stai.us and click the Events tab to see the details and videos of the different competitions. The direct link is https://stai.memberclicks.net/safety-competition. 

I had a great time with Region 3 director Renee Dawson and all of Region 3 members who were able to attend the meeting today at McAlister's Deli in Fort Wayne. Mike LaRocco shared recent legislative updates along with best practices and interpretations.  If you have not been able to attend a regional meeting, I would make a note when your next meeting is and try to attend.  Due to the informal format of the meetings, honest discussions and ideas are shared and everyone in attendance takes away knowledge to make a real difference in school transportation in their districts. When situations are discussed, everyone involved has a chance to think through situations which will better equip them to made good decisions when needed.