 | 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. |
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.
Building Stronger Teams: The People Behind the Wheel
Class Description- Transportation is about more than buses—it’s about the people driving them. This session explores how to:
- Recruit, retain, and train great drivers
- Use emotional intelligence to build trust and morale
- Foster peer leadership and mentorship within driver teams
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Voices from the Bay: Helping Mechanics Be Heard in Decision-Making
Class Description- Elevating shop voices in safety and operations planning
- How to advocate for resources or process changes
- Sharing knowledge with leadership without conflict
- Real examples where mechanics' input prevented breakdowns or safety issues
Understanding “Why” Behavior Occurs
Overview
In this foundational training, participants will develop a deeper understanding of behavior as a form of communication. Rather than viewing challenging or unexpected behaviors at face value, attendees will learn to dig beneath the surface to uncover the true "why" behind actions. Through interactive discussions, real-world examples, and practical tools, participants will explore the vital role of understanding behavior to foster meaningful, positive, and supportive environments.
Key Objectives
- Recognize that all behavior is a form of communication.
- Learn how to observe, interpret, and respond to behaviors more effectively.
- Understand the four functions of behavior and how they reveal the underlying purpose of behavior.
- Gain strategies for addressing behaviors proactively and empathetically, leading to more successful outcomes.
Strategies to Promote Safe School Transportation
Overview
Ensuring a safe and positive environment on school buses is critical to the success of any educational setting. This training equips transportation staff with an understanding of the relationship between function and intervention. Participants will leave with practical, quick-to-implement strategies to encourage positive student behavior and maintain a safe, respectful environment during transportation.
Key Objectives
- Understand the relationship between the function of behavior and the effectiveness of interventions.
- Learn targeted strategies that can be quickly and effectively applied on the bus.
- Promote positive behavior supports that reduce disruptions and enhance safety.
- Strengthen relationships between drivers, monitors, and students to build a respectful bus culture.
Class Speaker - Lexie Buschbach is the Director of Special Services for the Kennewick School District, a role she has held since July 2021. Prior to this role, Lexie served for 11 years as the district’s Autism and Behavior Specialist. During that time, she led the development and implementation of behavior intervention strategies, supported students across all grade levels, and facilitated district-wide staff training on behavior supports and best practices. Lexie holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and holds a Washington State Principal Certification.