2025 NYAPT SUMMER CONFERENCE

Saratoga Hilton and City Center

534 Broadway

Saratoga Springs, New York

Saturday 7/12/25

Registration for NAPT PDS Course- Lower Lobby -12:30 PM

NAPT 208 - Parent, Administrator, Board and Public Outreach PDS Course-  Travers Alabama - 1 PM – 5 PM

Presented by: Dr. Peter Lawrence

This session gives tips on working with the media, school staff, community groups and parents to promote understanding of student transportation issues and needs. Learn how to identify problems and develop appropriate messaging using both time-tested and innovative mediums. This is a valuable course for transportation managers who want to strengthen community relations, as well as a great refresher for veteran transportation leaders!

Sunday 7/13/25

Registration for NAPT PDS - Lower Lobby - 7:30 AM 

NAPT 303 - Procurement and Budget Management PDS Course -  Travers Alabama - 8 AM – 12:00 Noon

Presented by: Dr. Peter Lawrence

This four-hour course explores how to do more with less and how to identify and obtain traditional and non-traditional sources of funding for school transportation. Subjects covered include purchasing practices, the bid process, and finding alternate sources of fuel savings. The course is designed for experienced administrators who need to broaden their budgetary expertise.

Conference Registration Opens for Attendees & Exhibitors - Lower Lobby - 10:30-5:00 PM

1:00 PM 

NYAPT Conference opens at the Saratoga Hilton in the Saratoga Ballroom

NYAPT Annual Business Meeting

• Annual Business Meeting:  Call to Order - President Medina
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Invocation – John Spacht
• President Medina – Opening Words
• Approval of July 2024 Meeting Minutes
• Treasurer’s Report - Brian Trask
• Executive Director’s Report - David Christopher
• Committee Reports

2:00 - 3:30 PM - General Session - Saratoga Ballroom

Keynote Speaker: Leadership Training - Bret Brooks

Sharpen Your Edge: Keys for Professional Growth

This session is presented to enhance professional leadership skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. It will address key areas such as trust, communication, and personal development. Participants will learn techniques to improve work performance, cultivate positive relationships, and achieve career growth. Attendees will leave the session with heightened confidence and competence to succeed in professional settings.

3:30 - 4:00 PM Break  - Refreshments

4:00-5:00 PM   Breakout Sessions 

DMV Article 19A Knowledge Roundtable – Panel Discussion

This session is a roundtable discussion on all matters 19A, featuring a panel of experts who will share their knowledge and answer your questions.

Panel members:

John Spacht – Transportation Director at Southwestern, Jamestown City & Frewsburg CSD

Frank Klein – Director of Safety and Training Operations, Suffolk Transportation Services, Inc.

Darren Everhart - Retired - Palmyra-Macedon Central School District

Moderated by - Nicole Dolce - Herricks UFSD - Moderator

AI in the Transportation Department -This session will cover the use of ChatGPT for data analysis and reporting, including generating emails with AI prompts to communicate effectively with your team and district leadership. It will also explain how to automate paper processes using Zapier, such as form submissions, tracking driver credentials, and alerts. Don’t miss this session to learn about what AI has to offer transportation operations

Presented by – Keith Corso – Founder and CEO - BusRight

The Challenges of Student Management on the Bus – Panel Discussion

Managing students on the school bus is arguably the most challenging aspect of the bus driver's job. Surveys tell us this is one of the reasons for the bus driver shortage. In this session, school transportation leaders will discuss how they support bus drivers through training and follow-up support. Lessons learned in this session might help with school bus driver recruitment and retainment.

Panel Members Include:

David Richardson – Greece Central School District - Moderator

Lori- Ann Savino – Retired, Jericho School District

Maurita Coleman Simpson – Half Hollow Hills School District

Belinda Govich – Shenendehowa School District

D’Allah Laffoon – Waterloo Central School District

 

5:30

New Attendee Reception- Whitney Room

Sponsored by Nassau Chapter!  Thank you Nassau Chapter!

All new attendees are invited to attend this reception to meet NYAPT leaders and others who make our Association special.  

Enjoy Saratoga Springs on your own!

Monday 7/14/25

7:30-8:30

Breakfast - Saratoga Ballroom

Sponsored by Transfinder!  Thank you Transfinder for your sponsorship and partnership!

8:00-9:00am - Saratoga Ballroom

Department of Motor Vehicles Update- Bus Driver Unit

Eric Ketzer - Highway Safety Program Analyst 2

9:00 – 10:30 General Session- Saratoga Ballroom

Keynote Speaker : Leadership Training – Bret Brooks 

Caring Less Without Being Careless

Modern society can overwhelm people with stress as they attempt to balance all the issues of life. This presentation can help anyone focus on real priorities, find just causes, and develop trust in others. High and low growth needs of individuals are examined as realignment and refocus of priorities can better fulfill a work-life balance. Historical examples are also highlighted.

10:45 – 12:00

NYAPT Industry Leader Presentations - Thank you, Industry Leaders, for all you do for NYAPT

Conference attendees are free to attend any session of interest presented by NYAPT’s Industry Leader partners who support NYAPT at the highest level.  Our Industry Leaders will present on various topics of their choice.   Attend these sessions to learn what is new with our Industry Leaders.  

Leonard Bus Sales- "IC Bus – Service Solutions”- Saratoga 1

Matthews Buses, Inc- "Thomas Bus Product Updates" - Travers

New York Bus Sales- "Smart Rotation Planning: Driving Savings Today, Readiness for Tomorrow” - Alabama

Transfinder- "Best Practices in Student Ridership" - Broadway 1

Tyler Technologies-“Ready. Set. Ride: Navigating the Future of Student Transportation” – Broadway 2

First Light Safety Products- "Optimizing School Bus Safety: Illuminating Comparisons and Technical Aspects" – Broadway 3

Bird Bus- title tbd – Broadway 4

BusRight- "Supporting Your Drivers and Community with Technology” - Whitney

12:00   Lunch Served in the Saratoga Ballroom 

Sponsored by First Light Safety Products!  Thank you First Light Safety Products!

12:45   Trade Show Opening:  Gather in Hotel Gallery for Ribbon Cutting

1:00 – 5:00     NYAPT Trade Show - City Center Main Hall & Gallery

Attend the outstanding NYAPT  Annual Trade show featuring exhibitors from across the industry. Support our many excellent exhibitors who support NYAPT! 

1:00-2:00   Dessert & Coffee - City Center Main Hall & Gallery

Co-Sponsored by RATSA & Nassau Chapter. Thank you Rochester Area Transportation Supervisors Association and Nassau Chapter of NYAPT!

3:30 - 4:30 PM- Reception- City Center Main Hall & Gallery

6:00 – 10:00   Scholarship Event - Parting Glass, 40-42 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs

Sponsored by the New York State Bus Distributors Association!  Thank you NYSBDA!

Join your colleagues and exhibitors for an evening of fun with good food, music and  friends.

We will also hold a raffle with $1000 payout to the lucky winner as well as raffle baskets to raise funds for the NYAPT Scholarship program. The NYAPT Scholarship program awards four $1000 scholarships to deserving seniors moving on to a post high school educational experience.

Tuesday 7/15/25

7:30 - 8:30   Breakfast provided -  Saratoga Ballroom

Thank you, New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal (NYSIR), for sponsoring the morning breakfast!

Introduction of NYSIR Scholarship Winners.

8:00 – 9:00  NYSED report – Inho Suh – State Director of Pupil Transportation

State Director Inho Suh is with us to update the industry on how NYSED is supporting school transportation services. 

9:00 -10:00  Keynote: Clint Swindall – Leadership Matters - Enhancing Skillsets to Increase Employee Engagement

Are some of your employees disengaged? According to the Gallup organization, employee engagement has sunk to a 10-year low in 2025. The majority of employees simply show up to work each day prepared to do the minimum to get by. This problem of employee disengagement is a source of ongoing frustration for leaders of any organization. Not only does it irritate the management team, it demoralizes the productive employees who carry the majority of the workload. To enhance employee engagement, efforts must be made in two key areas: the mindset of employees and the skillset of leaders. Not only do employees need to contribute to the culture by recognizing the impact their mindset has on the organization, but the leaders need to be equipped with the proper skills to build a strong culture. There is good news! While leadership development is a lifelong journey, there are some simple steps you can take to improve leadership skills immediately. Attend this session and learn what those simple steps are!

10:00 – 10:30 Break

10:30 -11:30 Breakout sessions 

Shift Happens - Lead it Well: Equip, Support, and Empower Your Team Through Transition - Belinda Govich - Transportation Director - Shenendehowa Central School District

Change is constant—and as a leader, how you respond makes all the difference. Learn how to guide your team through transitions in a way that builds trust, resilience, and momentum. From managing resistance to addressing emotional responses and keeping everyone aligned, this session offers practical strategies to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence—no matter what kind of shift comes next. 

Leadership Matters – Going Deeper – Clint Swindall

In this session, our Keynote Speaker will expand on leadership skills shared in his keynote speech. 

Zero Emissions Bus Pilot – Pat Elwell - Transportation Supervisor - Naples Central School District

In this session, Pat will share his experiences implementing two electric school buses in his fleet. Naples school district is rural, hilly and experiences cold winters.  Pat explains how he overcame those challenges, and others, and now runs two electric school buses each and every school day.  

Dealing with Difficult People – Lori-Ann Savino - Retired - Transportation Director - Jericho Schools

We hear from transportation staff across the state that one of the most prominent challenges school transportation leaders face is dealing with difficult people.  It seems this issue is more prevalent today than ever before. Attend this workshop to discover what motivates those individuals and learn practical strategies to address these challenges professionally and effectively. 

11:45 - 1:00 Lunch -Saratoga Ballroom

1:00 - 2:00 Breakout sessions (Repeat of 10:30 Sessions)

Shift Happens - Lead it Well: Equip, Support, and Empower Your Team Through Transition - Belinda Govich - Transportation Director - Shenendehowa Central School District

Leadership Matters – Going Deeper – Clint Swindall

ZEB Pilot – Pat Elwell - Transportation Supervisor - Naples Central School District

Dealing with Difficult People – Lori-Ann Savino - Retired - Transportation Director - Jericho Schools

2:15 -3:15 Breakout session

Communicating for Results – Jeff Olefson

This session will explore the dynamics of effective communication between the participants and drivers, students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Assertive communication is essential to accomplishing our objectives, enabling us to communicate our needs in a manner that maintains constructive relationships. We will also cover avoiding ambush, de-escalating tense situations, and maintaining conversation control.

Transporting Students with Special Needs – Kelly Brock, PhD

Kelly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who consults with school districts on complex transportation issues involving students with special transportation needs.  A regular presenter at NYAPT conferences, Kelly will provide common sense strategies to address transportation solutions for students. 

Leadership Styles & Success Strategies for Transportation Leaders – Becky Carman 

This presentation explores key leadership styles and essential skills for transportation staff. Attendees will learn how different leadership approaches—such as transformational, servant, and situational leadership—impact team morale, efficiency, and safety. The session provides practical strategies for overcoming common challenges, building trust with staff, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Through case studies and discussions, participants will gain actionable insights to enhance their leadership effectiveness and drive success in school transportation operations.

Creating a Child Safety Zone In Your School District - Bill Harvey - Retired School Transportation Director - Child safety zones allow for the transportation of students within mileage limits who would otherwise be ineligible for transportation.  Attend this session to learn what a child safety zone is and how to establish one in your school district. 

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM- Refreshments - Gallery

Grab a quick beverage and a cookie before the next session.

  

3:30 – 4:30 Breakout sessions (Repeat of 2:15 Sessions)

Communicating for Results – Jeff Olefson

Transporting Student with Special Needs – Kelly Brock

Leadership Styles & Success Strategies for Transportation Leaders – Becky Carman

Creating a Child Safety Zone In Your School District - Bill Harvey - Retired School Transportation Director

6:00 Awards Banquet Reception - Saratoga Ballroom Foyer

Let’s gather in the Foyer at the Hilton Saratoga Ballroom prior to the NYAPT Awards Banquet to see old friends and meet new ones!

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

NYAPT Awards Banquet - Saratoga Ballroom

The NYAPT Awards Banquet is a special event where we honor our own. On this special night, we give recognition to the many school transportation professionals who are doing great things in the industry.  

Wednesday 7/16/25

7:30 Breakfast Provided - Saratoga Ballroom

8:00 – National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT)  Public Policy Update - Peter Manella. NAPT Public Policy Committee Chair

8:30 -9:30 – Preparing For An SED Review – Frank Klein & Maria Caroccia

This presentation overviews the New York State Education Department (NYSED) transportation record review. This review aims to assess the accuracy, completeness, and compliance of transportation records maintained by school districts or other educational agencies, ensuring that they meet the standards set forth by NYSED. It will focus on verifying the proper documentation of student transportation services, evaluating adherence to applicable regulations, and identifying areas for improvement in record-keeping practices. During this presentation, we will review what an auditor will check by using the Record Review Form for a driver and monitor/attendant. We will discuss this form, which has been enhanced with comments that display the regulation and frequency of each requirement checked during the audit.  By conducting these reviews, we strive to improve transportation safety, efficiency, transparency, and accountability throughout the state

9:30 -10:00 Break to check out of your hotel room

10:00 – 11:00 – NYSERDA -  Phillip Burgoyne-Allen - Clean Transportation Team

Phillip is with us to update the industry on new initiatives at NYSERDA impacting the zero-emission school bus transition.

11:00 – 12:00 - Closing Keynote: Dr. Tony Sinanis – Superintendent - Herricks School District -  Leadership: It’s About the People

12:00

Conference Closing & Send Off -  Saratoga Ballroom

President Medina closes out the 2025 NYAPT Summer Conference

12:30 - Board of Directors Meeting - Travers

12:30 – 2:30 - Leadership Development Certification Testing - Alabama

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