A new study out of Pennsylvania begins to tackle the real cost of transporting students with disabilities and special needs. Are there lessons to be learned for pupil transporters in other areas across the country?

The answer is "Yes," according to Tim Ammon of Management Partnership Services, Inc. The company performed the survey in 2009 for the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials following a total transportation benchmark study in 2008 showed that special needs operations were underrepresented.

Ammon, a regular STN EXPO presenter, is scheduled to return to Reno in July 2010 to present research findings and recommendations to validate the fact that additional operational efficiencies are necessary on the special needs operations side to help school districts to continue to provide safe transport to their students while also being mindful of shrinking taxpayer dollars.

Stay tuned for more details on this workshop as well as the rest of the STN EXPO curriculum being prepared.