Agenda

Saturday November 8 As of 4/8/25. Subject to change.

Special Training

8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Roadeo Competition

(Lunch served)

Location: Frisco ISD – Transportation Stadium

Team registration and a written test required. All participating driver and attendant teams must download and complete the Roadeo Competition Knowledge Test before arriving at the event. Bring a copy of the completed test to turn in on site. Are you passionate about special needs transportation, growing as a professional, and networking with others who do what you do from across the nation? Then form a team and plan to participate in this event! The Roadeo Competition, presented by School Transportation News in partnership with wit. (Women in Transportation.), consists of driver-attendant teams. There is no pre-requisite to participate. All are welcome, whether or not you have participated in another driver-attendant competition in your state or district. The goal of this competition is to help you increase your knowledge of transporting students with special needs. 

Coordinated by

Wit
Title Sponsor
QStraint-SureLok
Transportation

Departing at 8 a.m.

Special Training

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hands-on School Bus Evacuations for Students with Special Needs & Preschoolers

Instructors: Denny Coughlin, Frank Gazeley, Launi Harden, Aaron Harris & Diandra Neugent

Location: Frisco ISD Transportation West

Description: Join student transportation experts in a classroom setting to review best practices for a successful emergency evacuation of students with disabilities and preschooler, followed by an exercise on a school bus that mimics a real-life route that is servicing students with various physical disabilities as well as younger riders. Complicating the exercise will then be the introduction of fake smoke on the bus to hinder the visibility of attendees as the practice evacuating the “children” during a fire. The instructors will time the participants on how quickly they can evacuate the bus. The seminar will provide instruction on the proper evacuation of students who ride in wheelchairs and who use various child safety restraint systems. Tools used by participants will include evacuation and fire blankets, belt cutters and more. Held offsite at Frisco ISD.  

Transportation & lunch provided.

Maximum of 32 participants (FULL)| Separate registration and fees required | Transportation & Lunch Provided 

Award

8:30 a.m

Transportation Director of the Year Award Presentation

Sponsored by

blue bird
Keynote

9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Transportation of Special Education Students: Avoiding the Bumps and Legal Hazards

In this fast-paced presentation, special education attorney Betsey Helfrich, will examine school transportation from a legal perspective.  From a review of recent case law to current hot-topics, this presentation will dive into the legalities of the transportation of students with disabilities.  From aides on buses to sharing information with the transportation department, this presentation will include practical tips that you need to know to minimize liability and keep students safe.

Keynote Sponsored by

RIDE
Breakout Sessions

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Breakout Sessions
Lunch Break

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch Break

Feel free to explore nearby dining options or enjoy a meal at your convenience. We will reconvene at 1:45 p.m. for the next session.

Breakout Sessions

1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Breakout Sessions
Breakout Sessions

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

2024 TSD Topics As of 8/9/24. Subject to change.

  • Foundations of Special Needs Transportation
  • Hands-on Training & Drill for Evacuating Students with Disabilities & Preschoolers
  • OT/PT/Transporter Forum: Ensuring Proper Student Securement in Alternative Vehicles
  • In-Practice: Transportation Crisis Planning & Emergency Training for Students with Special Needs
  • Transition Training & Mainstreaming
  • Risk Management in Everyday Operations
  • IDEA Part C: Transportation as an Early Intervention Tool
  • Setting Realistic Expectations for School Bus Drivers & Attendants
  • 13 Exceptional Abilities Served by Transportation
  • Communicating with Parents/Student Advocacy
  • Behavior De-escalation and PBIS in Transportation Environments
  • Transportation Crisis Planning & Emergency Training for Students with Special Needs
  • Proactive Driver & Attendant Training Programs
  • Build Blocks for Career Development
  • Successful Partnerships Between School Districts & Contractors
  • Providing Training for the Service of Medically Fragile Riders
  • When Can & Should You Say No to IEP Team Requests?
  • What the Latest Wheelchair Crash Research Tells Us

And more!