Minnesota Association

for Pupil Transportation

Transporter

SPECIAL EDITION

IN THIS ISSUE
Page 2
Presidents Message

Page 3
New Year Brings New
MAPT Website
Page 4
2015 Poster Contest

Page 5
School Bus Safety Expo

Page 6
Membership Information

MAPT Elections To Be Held January 16th

Our slate of nominees are in... The following individuals are running for office within
the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation Board of Directors.
Members are encouraged to vote during the business meeting at the Winter Expo on
January 16th. Terms typically last for two-years.
Position
President
Vice President
Secretary
Region #3
Director #5
Director at Large Contractor
Director at Large District (EP)

Individual Running for Position

Derrick Agate
John Thomas
Scott Dahlin (incumbent)
Nicole Carlen
Dan Bacon
John Thomas
Jason Schoolmeesters

John Thomas Makes the Big Time

Congratulations to our very own John Thomas for
being named a representative of the central region to
the State and National Association of State Directors
of Pupil Transportation Services.
The National Association of State Directors of
Pupil Transportation Services was established in 1968.
The membership represents all 50 states.
The purpose of the association is to provide
leadership, assistance and motivation to the Nation's
school transportation community with the goal of
providing safe, secure, efficient, economical, and highquality transportation to school children on their trips
to and from school and school-related activities.

NASDPTS membership is comprised of state and

national leaders in school bus transportation, local
school transportation administrators, suppliers of
products and services, as well as grassroots
practitioners. The membership represents all 50 states,
the District of Columbia, school bus manufacturers
and suppliers, state and national transportation
associations, and others who support our mission and
purpose.
John is Transportation Coordinator with Eastern
Carver County Schools.
We are so excited for him and proud of him!
We know you will represent our area well!
December 2014

bis spter my dear friends

- Presidents Message Hard to believe two years have gone by since I slipped into the
position of MAPT Board President. I still havent found where they
parked the Lear Jet (tee hee).

Kala Henkensiefken
MAPT President
Kala Henkensiefken has worked in the
Transportation field since 1989 when
she started as a school bus driver.
She is currently the Transportation
Coordinator for Brainerd Public
Schools (ISD 181).
Kala has been active member in the
MNAPT organization in various
capacities since 1998. She is the
current MAPT President, MAPT
Special Transportation Committee
Chair, and sits on the Train The
Trainer planning committee.
Kala is a certified Child Passenger
Safety Technician, and recently
completed the NAPT Special Needs
Transportation Program.

All kidding aside, I never thought it would be such a hard decision

to make; in the end it was a very hard decision. I keep thinking I still
have so much I wanted to do as your President. I also know my next
adventure will be just as rewarding. I also know that the MAPT
Board will continue to strive to fulfill the vision and mission the
original Board members set out for us so many years ago.
MAPT is a wonderful organization that has helped me grow
professionally and personally. I am blessed to have met so many great
people along the way. And I am proud to be part of this great
organization!
Ah...dont worry... you will still see me around! (cant get rid of me
that easy) I will stay on as the MAPT Special Transportation Chair
and I will be taking on the duties of the MAPT Program Chair.
So, with that; bis spter my dear friends.
Kala Henkensiefken
MAPT President

SAVE THE DATE

Train The Trainer

July 6-10, 2015

Grand Hinckley Convention Center
Registration opens in January 2015

This years event will include a mock crash, reenacting the Cottonwood bus tragedy
with the assistance of Pine County Emergency Management. A portion of dollars from the event
will go toward a scholarship in the name of those lives lost in the crash.

New Year Means New Website

MAPT to Roll Out New Look in January
The New Year is upon us, and weve resolved to make our website even better than before!
In January, we intend to roll out a new look - making our site more user-friendly, and filled with
resources to assist our members like never before.
In addition to pertinent industry news, well have an updated event calendar, online registration
for upcoming events, easy new-member registration, an online store, job postings, and much more.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the official go live date. Cant wait for you to check it out
and give us your feedback!

2015 Poster Contest

What Is It ?
A design contest to encourage students to THINK about all elements of school bus safety. The
contest presents opportunities for school bus safety activities, as well as provides an opportunity
to discuss pupil transportation safety themes while working on, or critiquing, student posters.

Who Ma y E nt e r?
The School Bus Safety Poster Contest is open to all K-12 students, including special education.

Ru les:
The 2015 theme is: Bully Free Zone! This theme must appear in writing or printing in all posters
submitted. Drawings must be original, correct in safety concept, and the exclusive work of the
student entering the contest in idea, design and execution. All artwork should be positive in
approach, demonstrating only proper school bus safety behaviors. At least a part of a yellow
school bus must be present in the poster. Official rules can be found on next page.

P r iz e s:
The student in the winning grade from each category will receive a certificate of
recognition and a $35 gift card to Barnes & Noble. If the entry is forwarded to
the National Contest, the student will receive, instead, a $50 gift card from
Barnes & Noble. National Contest awards cash prizes. Top State winners
will also be invited to and recognized at a Minnesota Twins game.

Deadline:
March 31, 2015
Questions?
Contact Cindy McKay
Cindy.McKay@fridley.k12.mn.us
763-742-7830/763-502-5026

January 16-17, 2015

St. Paul, Minnesota
Crowne Plaza Riverfront Hotel
St. Paul River Centre

The only comprehensive seminar on school bus safety in Minnesota!

Friday, January 16, 2015
8:00-10:00AM

MSBOA & MAPT Board Meetings in Separate Rooms

10:00AM-12:00PM

MDE - SPED Transportation & Reporting

12:00PM

MSBOA & MAPT Luncheon

2:00-3:00PM

Video Viewing & Camera Best Practices

School District Policies and Laws surrounding use of electronic recording on buses

1:00-2:00PM

3:00-4:30PM
5:30PM

MN West Ballroom Crowne Plaza

MN East Ballroom Crowne Plaza

MN West Ballrooms Crowne Plaza

Safe & Supportive Schools

New MN Law regarding Bullying Prevention & Transportation Responsibilities

MN East Ballroom Crowne Plaza

MN East Ballroom Crowne Plaza

MSBOA & MAPT General Business Meetings in Separate Rooms

Hours of Awesome Social

Vendor Sponsored Social at Windows on the River Rooftop Lounge Crowne Plaza
Network with your fellow transportation colleagues, Fun, Food, & Drinks

MN West Ballroom Crowne Plaza

MN East Ballroom Crowne Plaza

Windows on the River, Crowne Plaza

Saturday, January 17, 2015

7:00-8:00AM

8:00-10:00AM

Breakfast

Bus Body Mechanics Seminar

(Hoglund, North Central & Telin will hold Mechanics Seminars from 8-9AM and 9-10AM in separate rooms)

Kellog Suite Crowne Plaza

Crowne Plaza

8:00-10:00AM

Retaining Quality Employees

10:30AM - 1:30PM

MN SCHOOL BUS SAFETY EXPO VENDOR SHOW & LUNCHEON

St. Paul River Centre
Join us for FOOD, FUN, NETWORKING, & TO SEE LATEST & GREATEST PRODUCTS/SERVICES!!

1:30-3:00PM

MN Department of Public Safety - State Patrol

News and Updates

Register Online at www.msboa.com

MN East Crowne Plaza

St. Paul River Centre

2015 Membership Information

Membership Registration Form and Invoice

(all fields are required)
Name
District #

Employer
Job Title
Street Address
City/State

Zip Code

Work Phone

Cell Phone

Email Address
Membership benefits include:

K Networking with other professionals in the student transportation industry.

K First hand knowledge of new and proposed legislation that affects student transportation.
K The best and most current training materials available for school bus drivers and trainers.
K Priceless learning experiences through guest speakers and other training seminars at quarterly conferences.
K Quarterly newsletter that updates you on issues directly affecting you and your peers in the student transportation industry.
K Annual trade show that allows members to network with other pupil transportation organizations.
K Opportunity to take a leadership role in a well respected organization.
K Opportunity to demonstrate to your community that you are committed to safety through participation.
K Training material for Student Safety Training.
K Recognition and Award Program for school bus drivers.

Membership Fees:

Please Mark ()

Category

Fee

Please Circle

MAPT Base Membership

$60

New - or - Existing

Industry/Vendor

$60

New - or - Existing

We accept all major credit cards through PayPal as well as checks for payment. When payment is received, your
membership will be activated. Forms and payment can be mailed to MAPT at PO Box 413 - Bemidji,
Minnesota 56619 or submitted online at www.mnapt.org.
Please direct questions to: John Thomas, MAPT Membership Chair
Email: ThomasJohn@district112.org
Phone: (952) 556-6161