 | Washington Association for Pupil Transportation |
Annual Conference Workshop Details |
| TSA Tabletop Exercise The exercise is a TSA-facilitated, discussion-based training session where participants practice their responses to hypothetical security incidents in a low-stress environment. The interactive format provides valuable experience in pre-incident information sharing, incident response, and post-incident recovery. Washington State Patrol Inspection Overview Class Description: An in-depth presentation focused on the critical role technicians play in vehicle safety and compliance. WSP representatives will provide updates on the state’s inspection program, including key statistics from the past few years related to out-of-service violations—many of which tie directly to maintenance and repair practices. Technicians will gain valuable insight into the most common issues flagged during inspections and how proper preventative maintenance can reduce violations. Additionally, WSP will cover essential protocols for collision reporting and notifications, highlighting technician responsibilities in ensuring vehicles are compliant and safe post-incident. This is a great opportunity to stay up-to-date on industry expectations, ask questions, and learn how your work directly supports road safety and regulatory compliance. |
Class Speaker: Brandon Drye, CVEO 3 - Washington State Patrol
Brandon Drye is a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer 3 (CVEO 3) with the Washington State Patrol, bringing over 11 years of dedicated service to the agency. Since joining WSP, Brandon has focused his career on ensuring the safety and compliance of commercial vehicles across the state. In 2016, he began working specifically with school buses, conducting inspections and supporting safe transportation for students. In 2019, Brandon was promoted and took on the responsibility of overseeing the bus inspection program for Eastern Washington. His expertise, leadership, and commitment to vehicle safety have made him a key resource for technicians, drivers, and school districts throughout the region.
Bryson Electrial
Class Description:
- Blue Bird Vision Type C – New Electrical Architecture
- Review troubleshooting techniques for Blue Bird’s New Electrical Architecture
- General Blue Bird Electrical
- Demonstrate Blue Bird electrical tips and tricks to diagnose and troubleshoot to make the overall ownership experience better
- Cummins aftertreatment electrical
- Review Cummins Diesel related electrical for the aftertreatment system
- Ford Roush/CleanTech Propane and Gasoline electrical tips
Routing 101
Class Description: Join us for an interactive discussion on school bus routing, covering essential topics such as effective route planning, the newest features in routing software, and best practices. Gain valuable insights and learn from each other’s experience to optimize transportation for students, ensuring safety and efficiency in your district.
Class Speaker: Jason Chess has been in the pupil transportation industry for 13 years. Before joining Tyler Technologies in 2021, Jason worked at Reynolds School District 7 in Fairview, OR. Starting as a bus driver and working his way up to Routing & Technology Lead, Jason is passionate about transportation and earned both his Bachelor’s of Art in Business Administration and his Master’s of Science in Leadership while working in Transportation. He is excited to be here and looks forward to another year at the WAPT Summer Conference.
Child Passenger Safety (Car Seats)
Class Description- Session covering child passenger safety systems (car seats and beyond) as they apply to school transportation focused on buses and white fleet/ passenger vehicles.
Class Speaker - Cassidy Miller is a router/ dispatcher, driver, admin assistant and nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) at Snohomish School District. She specializes in school bus safety systems and adaptive car seats. Cassidy is certified to teach the NHTSA Child Passenger Safety on School Buses curriculum. Also a 2024 STN Rising Star, she shares her expertise on school transportation seating best practices with industry professionals across the country.
Radio/Dispatch and Emergency Communications
Class Description- Breaking down transportation dispatch and two-way radio best practices independently, as well as when they evolve into communications with emergency services.
Class Speaker - Matt Calnon is a retired sheriff's deputy and detective from Snohomish County and includes his experience from this work along with being a student transportation router/ dispatcher and bus driver for Snohomish School District.