Ohio pupil transportation office posts Nov. 3 update: Road-E-O results, Nov. 10 webinar on contractor drivers

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's Office of Pupil Transportation used its Nov. 3, 2026 bulletin to thank district transportation staff, recap October activities, promote an upcoming webinar and pass along seasonal safety guidance.

Thirty-six drivers competed in the State School Bus Safety Road-E-O on Oct. 17, 2026, at Olentangy Berlin High School in Delaware, Ohio. The top seven, as published with bus type: Shannon SantaMaria, Orange City Schools (first, type D); Matthew Hull, Petermann/Lakota Local Schools (second, type D); Kenya Wehner, Petermann/Lakota Local Schools (third, type D); Barbara Ramsey, Loveland City Schools (type C); Adrian "AJ" Neitenbach, Revere Local Schools (type C); David Pitrone, Solon City Schools (type C); and Greg Hendrix, Petermann/Nordonia Hill City Schools (type C).

Those drivers may compete at the NSTA International School Bus Safety Competition in Austin, Texas, on June 26-27, 2027.

A "Behind the Wheel with DEW" session is set for Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, on Ohio Revised Code 3327.10. According to the office, a district that contracts with a vendor retains responsibility for confirming that all drivers, including subcontracted drivers, are qualified; using a driver who falls short of those requirements leaves the district noncompliant under ORC 3327.021.

The office also reported that the T-1 ridership report submission window has closed. Districts may request recalculation if routes or policy change before Feb. 1 and additional students or miles result, if a new community or nonpublic school begins operating after the initial period, or if an error is found in reported information or the payment calculation.

Seasonal reminders cover darker mornings — bright or reflective clothing, early arrival, waiting away from the roadway and never returning for an item dropped near the bus — plus winter preparation: confirming snow-route contacts before weather arrives, clearing roof snow and ice during pre-trip checks, and extra care in lots and loading areas.

The office additionally asked districts to update transportation roles in OEDS, noted that new directors must complete an in-person preservice class within six months, and shared an EPA Diesel Emissions Reduction Act notice of about $180 million nationally plus roughly $54 million through the state program.