TAPT CONFERENCE Corpus Christi, TX
Break-Out Sessions
Monday June 23, 2014
8:30-9:15
Water Garden B-Nancy
Blackwelder "You Know
You Work in
Transportation If……
BREAK
9:15-9:30
9:30-10:15
10:30-11:15
Room #101 Amy
Scopac/Carl Cater/Jim
Abney "Physical Fitness
Testing101-Can You
Afford Not To?"
Room #102 Nancy
Blackwelder "How Bus
Drivers Get Into
Trouble"
Room #103Deanne
Hullender "Creating a
Customer Service
Mentality"
Room #101 Kathy
Barney/Brian
Weisinger/Renee Davis
"Being Prepared for a
campus evacuation
"Lessons learned from
Spring High School"
Room #102 Nancy
Room #103 Randy
Blackwelder "A Bus
Gover "Recruiting and
Attendant Guide to Std. Retaining Bus Drivers"
Mgmt."
3:15-4:00
Room #106 Danny Sanchez "Updates
from TEA"
Room #104 Jackie
Fields & Belton ISD
Staff "First Response
Emerg. Management
Plan"
Room #105 Trisha
Nolen "Changes to
Wheelchair
Transportation
Regulations"
Room #106 Chrisite Hebert "Anything
Goes: An Open Mic Chat room with
DPS"
Room #104 Fritz
Klabunde/Bobby
Williams
"TASBT…Providing
training, education,
activities for School
Bus Technicians"
Room #105 Zorna Jackson Room #106 Christie Hebert "Anything
"Are you Ready for New
Goes: An Open Mic Chat Room with
School Year..Training
DPS."
Drivers and Monitors for
Spec. Ed. Rts."
Room #104 Fritz
Klabunde/Bobby
Williams
"TASBT…Providing
training, education,
activities for School
Bus Technicians"
Room #106 Danny Sanchez "Updates
from TEA"
Water Garden B Jim
Thuss "School Bus
Hijacking Awareness
and Response"
BREAK
2:002:15
2:15-3:00
Room #105 Zorna
Jackson "Are you
Ready for New School
Year..Training Drivers
and Monitors for Spec.
Ed. Rts."
Room #105 Dr. Graves
"Driver Medical ExamsFact or Fiction"
LUNCH
11:30-1:00
1:00-2:00
Room 104 Josh Rice
"Transportation Mgmt
Internship…"Making it
Work"
Room 101 Amy
Room #102 Josh Rice
Scopac/Carl Cater/Jim
"Hiring Smart..The Key
Abney "Physical Fitness to a Good Employee"
Testing101-Can You
Afford Not To?"
Room 101 Kathy
Barney/Brian
Weisinger/Renee Davis
"Being Prepared for a
campus evacuation
"Lessons learned from
Spring High School"
Room #103 Deanne
Hullender "Creating a
Customer Service
Mentality"
Room #102 Dr. Graves Room #103 Randy
"Driver Medical Exams- Gover "Recruiting and
Fact or Fiction"
Retaining Bus Drivers"
Saturday June 21, 2014 Keynote Address
Speaker: William L. “Pete” Rearden
Title of Presentation: "Oops.....Your Attitude is Showing"
Presentation: "Oops.....Your Attitude is Showing" is a delightful journey through several topics explaining how
Attitudes affect every part of our lives: Home, Family, Job, Career, Relationship and Life. A humorous yet thought
provoking plan that allows Attitudes to work in our lives with positive changes and direction for improvement. By
weaving anecdotes, humor and real life examples, Pete presents a fast-paced, uplifting, and challenging program
designed specifically for your group.
Monday June 23, 2014
8:30-9:15
Water Garden B AM Keynote Session
“You know You Work in Transportation If…..” Dr. Nancy Blackwelder
There is nothing quite like the school bus transportation industry. There are pitfalls at every turn and our mistakes
are transparent to the world. This session takes a humorous look at what is otherwise no laughing matter. Sit back
and enjoy a little chuckle as we laugh at situations we know all too well.
Dr. Nancy Blackwelder was educated at the University of Florida where she received a B.S. degree in Physical
Education. She received her M.S. and Doctorate at the University of South Florida in Education Leadership.
She moved to Pinellas County, Florida in 1975 where she taught both elementary and high school physical
education. She has worked as an Assistant Principal at both the elementary and high school levels, the Assistant
Director of Transportation, and in the Exceptional Student Education and Pupil Assignment Departments.
On February 11, 1988 while working at Pinellas Park High School as an assistant principal, she fell victim to a gunwielding student which rocked the educational community. After her recovery she recognized the need to evaluate
crisis intervention plans and use the knowledge gained through her experience to help other educators.
Dr. Blackwelder is an exceptional international staff development specialist and has provided training for state
organizations throughout the United States: Attorney General’s Office (FL & KS), School Board Assoc. (FL, MI, WI,
SC, OK, IL,TN), the Victim Advocate Assoc. (FL & KS), Arkansas Safe Schools Association (ASSA), Associations for
Pupil Transportation (FL, MI, WI, KY, CA, NC, IA, NJ, IN, TX, PA, MA, WY, OH, WA, NE, AR, NY, KS).
She was honored with an article in School Bus Fleet as one of the "25 Most Fascinating Industry Personalities.”
(June/July 2002 issue of School Bus Fleet, pg. 26.)
9:30-10:15
Room 101
Physical Agility Testing 101- Can you afford not to?
Presenters: Amy Scopac, Asst. Dir. Transp. Temple ISD; Carl Cater Dir. of Transp. Allen ISD; Jim Abney Dir. of Transp.
Alvin ISD
This workshop will discuss the topic of physical agility testing for your employees. Hear how this program is being
utilized by several different districts. The workshop will focus on: Why should we perform physical agility testing,
who are we protecting by conducting physical agility testing, and what are the liabilities and benefits of a physical
agility testing program for the overall safety of bus routes. The presenters will focus on implementation and
design of the physical agility testing program as well as share forms used for the program.
Room 102
“How Bus Drivers Get Into Trouble”
Presenter: Dr. Nancy Blackwelder, School Bus Safety Training
This workshop takes news headlines straight from the major networks and shows what happens when drivers do
things that cause them to be fired, suspended, arrested or subject the school district or bus company to law suit.
Drivers will see video of the actual events and there is opportunity to discuss how to prevent or react to the
situation so that there is the best chance of having a positive outcome.
Room 103
“Creating a Customer Service Mentality in Your District”
Presenter: Deanne Hullender, Director of Professional Development Dallas County Schools
This workshop will discuss why the value of great customer service is not up for debate! It is critical for superior
service to begin within the walls of your office. Come learn the 6 essential elements for improving internal and
external customer service!
Room 104
“Transportation Management Internship- Making it Work”Presenter: Josh Rice, Director of Transportation New Caney ISD
This workshop will be based on real life model building built in New Caney ISD involving an internship with three
interns that was a pilot program to see how the internship program would actually work. This workshop will
cover what an intern program is, the benefits, costs, design of the program, and hiccups. The presentation will be
spent on discussing the program as a timeline for putting it together, interviewing candidates, conducting
orientation, training and supervising the interns, intern activities, and evaluating. The program is based on
philosophy that we cover routes with drivers and/or bus aides when they are out, but when an office staff member
who does payroll, routing, trips, or training is absent we just let the work sit and accumulate.
Room 105
“Are You Ready For New School Year…Training Drivers and Monitors for Special Needs Bus Routes”
Presenter: Zorna Jacakson, Assistant Director of Transportation Del Valle ISD
This workshop will discuss training ideas for special needs drivers and monitors as well as discuss items to have
ready for each new school year to ensure staff, parents, and routes are ready for a great school year!
Room 106
“TEA School Transportation Program Updates”
Presenter: Danny Sanchez, Transportation Specialist School Finance Division
This presentation will give a brief overview of the two reports due each year to TEA for Transportation: Rt. Service
Report and Operation Report. Also the presentation will discuss updates in the School Transportation Allotment
Handbook.
10:30-11:15
Room 101
Being Prepared for Campus Evacuation…Lessons learned from Spring High School Incident”
Presenters: Kathy Barney Asst. Director Spring ISD, Brian Weisinger Director Transp. Spring ISD, Renee Davis
Supervisor Spring ISD.
This workshop will show the key elements of being prepared for a campus evacuation. Hear from several key
members of Spring ISD Transportation Department how buses played key role in successful evacuation of Spring
High School due to a stabbing incident. Hear how Spring ISD Transp. Dept. prepared for this incident, how they
responded and what they learned from incident to help make future evacuations even more successful. Also hear
events that took place after incident with drivers not feeling safe, high absenteeism, and drop off times being
disrupted district wide due to metal detector usage.
Room 102
“A Bus Attendant Guide to Student Management”
Presenter: Dr. Nancy Blackwelder, School Bus Safety Training
This workshop discusses how to give bus attendants the basic information essential to successfully managing
special needs students. As a school bus manager or trainer, you should place no employee on a special needs bus
without this basic information. Along with substantive, current information, wait until you see the videos clips of
what actually occurs on the bus with actual TV news stories where situations have gone wrong. It puts a face on
the issues and brings reality to the pitfalls that face bus attendants.
Room 103
“Recruiting and Retaining Bus Drivers”
Presenter: Randy Gover, Director of Transportation Abilene ISD
Providing essential training to bus drivers leads to more job satisfaction. This workshop will show how trained
drivers are better equipped to handle stressful situations on the bus and are more likely to stay on the job.
Retaining good drivers gives the most bang for the buck. This workshop will explores the use of multiple methods
such as speaking to local civic groups, using social media, offering incentives and other means to assist in getting
the word out about job openings for bus drivers in your district!
Room 104
“TASBT…Providing training, education, activities for School Bus Technicians”
Presenters: Fritz Klabunde, President TASBT and Bobby Williams, President-Elect TASBT
The presentation will discuss TASBT (Texas Association for School Bus Technicians) and how this
organization provides training, education, and activities for School Bus Technicians. The presentation
will discuss how TASBT was formed, classes that are taught, and certifications that individuals can obtain
through TASBT. Learn how TASBT can help your technicians and your fleet!
Room 105
“Driver Medical Exams..Fact or Fiction”
Presenter: Dr. Harvey Graves, President/CEO Pinnacle Medical Management Cooperation
This presentation will discuss new requirements medical providers must meet. Here what items will disqualify bus
drivers in a medical exam. The presentation will also cover sleep apnea and what medical providers will look at in
determining if a driver will be disqualified.
Room 106
“TEA School Transportation Program Updates”
Presenter: Danny Sanchez, Transportation Specialist School Finance Division
This presentation will give a brief overview of the two reports due each year to TEA for Transportation: Rt. Service
Report and Operation Report. Also the presentation will discuss updates in the School Transportation Allotment
Handbook.
1:00-2:00
(Water Garden B) PM Keynote session
“School Bus Hijacking Awareness and Response”
Presenter: Jim Thuss, Gray Ram Tactical
School bus hijackings are becoming more prevalent in the United States. This training course discusses
historical examples and statistics of school bus hijackings in order to give drivers a better understanding
of the threat. Course participants will learn what they can do to prevent a hijacking, how they can help
law-enforcement, and what they should expect from responding police.
Jim Thuss has an impressive law enforcement career having worked for a Missouri State Law
Enforcement Agency for over 15 years. Along with normal road duties, he has held a command position
with the SWAT entry team. Jim is considered a subject matter expert in Active Shooter Response,
Diversionary Devices, OC, and Impact Weapons. Complimenting his tactical training, Jim has extensive
training in juvenile subject matters including extreme youth behaviors. His experience as a law
enforcement officer compliments his ability to train everyone from the road officer to the school
transportation professional on violence related issues.
2:15-3:00
Room 101
Physical Agility Testing 101- Can you afford not to?
Presenters: Amy Scopac, Asst. Dir. Transp. Temple ISD; Carl Cater Dir. of Transp. Allen ISD; Jim Abney Dir. of Transp.
Alvin ISD
This workshop will discuss the topic of physical agility testing for your employees. Hear how this program is being
utilized by several different districts. The workshop will focus on: Why should we perform physical agility testing,
who are we protecting by conducting physical agility testing, and what are the liabilities and benefits of a physical
agility testing program for the overall safety of bus routes. The presenters will focus on implementation and
design of the physical agility testing program as well as share forms used for the program.
Room 102
Hiring Smart: The key to a good employee (Molding Good Employees, Doing it right: Hiring, from start to finish)
Presenter: Josh Rice, Director of Transportation New Caney ISD
This workshop will cover recruitment ideas
Interviewing (Team vs. Solo) w/sample questions, what to look for, what to ask/not to ask, seeing through the
application.
Morale Boosting- ideas to keep morale up in the department
Training (both classroom and behind the wheel suggestions) including making training fun, talking in front of
others.
Room 103
Creating a Customer Service Mentality in your district
Presenter: Deanne Hullender, Director Professional Development Dallas County Schools
This workshop will discuss why the value of great customer service is not up for debate! It is critical for superior
service to begin within the walls of your office. Come learn the 6 essential elements for improving internal and
external customer service!
Room 104
First Response Emergency Management Plan
Presenter: Jackie Fields, Director of Transportation Belton ISD and Staff
This workshop will discuss how to implement and place into action an emergency management plan regarding
preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. The workshop will cover how to work with your local
emergency providers to ensure they are familiar with evacuation techniques of a school bus but more importantly
how everyone works as a team. The workshop will also discuss why it is important to include your local emergency
providers in table top training exercises to discuss different types of evacuations on the bus due to situation bus is
involved in (side impact, front impact, back impact, or bus turn over on side).
Room 105
“Changes to Wheelchair Transportation Regulations”
Presenter: Trisha Nolen, Q-Straint/Sure-Lok
This workshop will discuss the proper techniques for securing wheelchairs on the school bus as well as best
practices to make sure the student remains safe while being transported on the bus. This workshop will cover the
upcoming changes to WC18 / WC19 regulations.
Room 106
“Anything Goes: An Open Mic Chat Room with DPS”
Presenter: Christie Hebert, DPS School Bus Transportation Program
Come join us for an open forum amongst fellow Transportation Directors & School Bus Transportation
personnel. An opportunity for attendees to ask questions and/or request clarification regarding School Bus
Transportation. Watch video clips of real life incidents and share your experiences that have occurred within your
district.
3:15-4:00
Room 101
Importance of Being Prepared for Campus Evacuation: “Lessons learned from Spring High School Incident”
Presenters: Kathy Barney Asst. Director Spring ISD, Brian Weisinger Director Transp. Spring ISD, Renee Davis
Supervisor Spring ISD.
This workshop will show the key elements of being prepared for a campus evacuation. Hear from several key
members of Spring ISD Transportation Department how buses played key role in successful evacuation of Spring
High School due to a stabbing incident. Hear how Spring ISD Transp. Dept. was prepared for this incident and what
they learned from incident to help make future evacuations even more successful. Also hear events that took place
after incident with drivers not feeling safe, high absenteeism, and drop off times being disrupted district wide due
to metal detector usage.
Room 102
“Driver Medical Exams..Fact or Fiction”
Presenter: Dr. Harvey Graves, President/CEO Pinnacle Medical Management Cooperation
This presentation will discuss new requirements medical providers must meet. Here what items will disqualify bus
drivers in a medical exam. The presentation will also cover sleep apnea and what medical providers will look at in
determining if a driver will be disqualified.
Room 103
“Recruiting and Retaining Bus Drivers”
Presenter: Randy Gover, Director of Transportation Abilene ISD
Providing essential training to bus drivers leads to more job satisfaction. This workshop will show how trained
drivers are better equipped to handle stressful situations on the bus and are more likely to stay on the job.
Retaining good drivers gives the most bang for the buck. This workshop will explores the use of multiple methods
such as speaking to local civic groups, using social media, offering incentives and other means to assist in getting
the word out about job openings for bus drivers in your district!
Room 104
“TASBT…Providing training, education, activities for School Bus Technicians”
Presenters: Fritz Klabunde, President TASBT and Bobby Williams, President-Elect TASBT
The presentation will discuss TASBT (Texas Association for School Bus Technicians) and how this organization
provides training, education, and activities for School Bus Technicians. The presentation will discuss how TASBT
was formed, classes that are taught, and certifications that individuals can obtain through TASBT. Learn how
TASBT can help your technicians and your fleet!
Room 105
“Are You Ready For New School Year…Training Drivers and Monitors for Special Needs Bus Routes”
Presenter: Zorna Jackson, Assistant Director of Transportation Del Valle ISD
This workshop will discuss training ideas for special needs drivers and monitors as well as discuss items to have
ready for each new school year to ensure staff, parents, and routes are ready for a great school year!
Room 106
“Anything Goes: An Open Mic Chat Room with DPS”
Presenter: Christie Hebert, DPS School Bus Transportation Program
Come join us for an open forum amongst fellow Transportation Directors & School Bus Transportation
personnel. An opportunity for attendees to ask questions and/or request clarification regarding School Bus
Transportation. Watch video clips of real life incidents and share your experiences that have occurred within your
district.