Longtime student transportation industry insider and state director Marion Edick stepped down on Dec. 30, the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) announced.
Edick served as N.Y. state director of pupil transportation since 1995 and received the Friend of NYAPT award in recognition of her many accomplishments.
NYAPT Executive Director Peter Mannella told School Transportation News that Edick will be difficult to replace because of her vast experience and dedication to student transportation training and development.
“Marion has been a part of the school transportation community in New York since 1995 and has made many friends in the industry. Looking back on her tenure, we recognize her work with the state’s School Bus Driver Instructor program, which is the linchpin for training our drivers,” Mannella said. “Marion was very loyal to that program and worked hard to preserve its integrity and quality. She worked with both districts and contractors to ensure that all involved in school transportation had access to information and had input in the work of her office.”
The association noted some of her key accomplishments that reverberated across the industry, including implementation of Physical Performance Tests for school bus drivers and of statutorily required training regarding special needs students (PJ’s Law) for school bus drivers, attendants and monitors. Edick also developed programs supported by the $400,000 training fund, including Master Instructor trainings and continuation of the Professional Development Series.
“She took great pains to ensure timely implementation of new training requirements relating to special education, orientation of drivers regarding idling, training for attendants and monitors as well as bullying training for drivers and attendants,” said Mannella.
In a letter to colleagues and associates on Dec. 30, Edick wrote of her 37-year career in public service.
“I have had the privilege of knowing and serving with many wonderful and dedicated individuals; but none finer than those who have chosen to work in pupil transportation. Your passion and dedication for protecting our children is infectious, and it truly infected me,” she said.
Mannella emphasized that finding a qualified replacement “is a concern” because of the size and complexity of New York’s student transportation landscape.
“This is such an important position for our industry and for student safety,” he said, “and we are hopeful that the position will be filled by a person who cares about these issues and who shares a respect for the quality professionals who work daily to keep our children safe. We will be sharing our concerns and hopes with the Education Commissioner this week.”
