Speaker: Betsey Helfrich

Description: 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.

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

Location: Frisco ISD Transportation West

Description: Obtain a better understanding of evacuation best practices and know-how to properly and quickly get students of all ages off the bus before they even board. This all-day training will take place at Prosper ISD. Transportation will be provided. It will combine classroom instruction with hands-on practice on real buses. Learn the importance of knowing student information and their individual capabilities, training students and staff, the role of dispatchers, creating seating charts, and developing an evacuation. The hands-on training includes a blanket drag, belt cutting, wheelchairs, and timed evacuation in a bus filled with theater smoke to simulate a fire.

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

Speaker: Candace Collins

Description: Research shows that transporting students is among the highest risk opportunities for sexual abuse and misconduct, and students with disabilities are more likely to be targeted. A single incident of this nature can be catastrophic for students, families, your organization, and the community. This session will address how abuse happens, current trends, and best practices for mitigating this risk with updated policies, training on boundaries and red-flag behaviors, and supervision strategies.

Praesidium
Praesidium’s mission is “to help you protect those in your care from abuse and to help preserve trust in your organization.” Praesidium is a national leader in abuse risk management and has worked with organizations across industries in the United States and other countries to help them prevent sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults, prevent false allegations of abuse, and to manage reputational risk. 

Moderator: Arnold Byrd, Sales Enablement Specialist

Description: Transporting students with special needs is of critical importance to all school districts. It also presents unique challenges. Join us for an engaging panel discussion on effectively transporting students with special needs. This session will explore best practices and tools designed to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of special needs students. Our panelists will address key challenges such as route planning, accessibility, communication with families, and collaboration with special education teams.

During the discussion, you’ll gain practical knowledge on how technology can aid in day-to-day planning, what specific features and capabilities you should be seeking in your solutions, and how to address specialty requirements.

Learn how to create a supportive environment that meets every student’s unique needs and creates a seamless, safe transition from home to school.

Moderator: Sue Shutrump

Panelist:

• Laura Beth Blankenship
• Angie McDonald
• Kenny Mulder

Description: There are many considerations to be made when transporting students with medical needs. This entails securing medical equipment on the bus, working with school nurses and aides, even school bus driver training to administer medication. It can all be daunting. This discussion will center on what student transporters need to know about child IEPs and how they can better collaborate and communicate with various partners in nursing and therapeutic services to ensure the level of care necessary is being provided safely for child, other students on board, and the school bus driver/aide.

• Alemnesh Allen
• Dana Rosen
• Kala M. Henkensiefken

Description: Transporting special needs students can be a challenge at any district big or small and can be a very sensitive subject. Additionally in many cases it can be 50% of your budget or more. How can you get the most out of your special needs buses, drivers and aides while still cutting costs. What are the right services and software available and how can you avoid the pitfalls of the angry parent looking out for their special needs child.

Moderator: Alex Robinson

Panelists:

• Bill Tousley
• Lorena Valenz

Descriptions: The correct fit for a driver for students with disabilities is more than just a “good hire”. In this time of labor and driver shortages, especially in the field of education, this session will explore how are expectations can be met at the same time as students’ needs. Join this panel of experts as we discuss creative ways to ensure our drivers are truly an extension of the classroom.

• Megan Elsberry
• Anthony Shields
• Teena Mitchell

Description: This fun and interactive networking event with a “football tailgate theme” takes place on the trade show floor and enables attendees to visit with exhibitors that will be highlighting innovative products, solutions and services. Exhibitors and attendees can connect in a more relaxed atmosphere with food and drink stations spread out on the trade show floor.