Keith Dreiling introduced himself to Kansas student transporters this week via email as he recently joined the Kansas State Department of Education as the new director of the School Bus Safety and Education division.
Dreiling succeeds Larry Bluthardt, who retired last summer after 25 years at KSDE as the state director of school bus safety.
Prior to joining KSDE in February, Dreiling worked for the Kansas Highway Patrol for more than 27 years as a road trooper and as a field training officer for graduating recruits. Dreiling was one of five troopers in the state to be assigned to a commercial vehicle enforcment pilot project in 1991.
Dreiling said Wilma Crabtree, the senior administrative assistant for the School Bus Safety Unit, as well as safety consultant Debra Romine will continue in the department and work with him in administering school bus safety training statewide.