(Information provided by Dane Baxa, Goddard USD 265, and Melissa Ostermeyer, KSDE School Transportation Safety Unit) 

More than 75 of Kansas’s best school bus drivers put their skills to the test at the 55th Annual Kansas State Pupil Transportation Association (KSPTA) Safe Driving Competition, hosted by Goddard USD 265, on June 4. 

Each year, this event—known as the Bus 'Road'eo—brings together drivers from across the state to showcase the critical skills they use every day to transport students safely. Drivers navigated a closed-course competition, completed written safety exams, and were scored by trained evaluators, including Kansas Highway Patrol troopers riding alongside them.  

Goddard USD 265 won the team competition with Kristy Evers, Taunya Terhune and Neil Swenson. Swenson was also named the top rookie of this year’s competition. 

Competing in the bus “road-eo” isn’t just about earning a trophy, it’s about becoming a better, safer driver. Participants spend countless hours practicing year-round. Events in the competition simulate real-world challenges such as navigating tight residential streets, backing with precision, and making quick, safe decisions under pressure. 

“From estate sales causing narrow residential street congestion, to icy roads in January, the scenarios our drivers face daily are complex,” said Sean Hollas, director of transportation for Goddard USD 265. “The Road-eo prepares them to meet those challenges with confidence.” 
The bus competition was part of the Kansas State Pupil Transportation Association (KSPTA) annual conference, attended by 244 drivers and other transportation personnel from 77 school districts. It concluded with an awards banquet celebrating drivers’ excellence across Kansas. 

The top winners in each of the following categories will compete in the National School Transportation Association international competition, June 28-29, in Austin, Texas: 

• Jerry Guerrero, Garden City USD 457, 2025 State Safe Driver Champion 
• Molly Cornwell, Derby USD 260, Conventional 
• Rebecca Stanton, First Student, Wichita USD 259, Conventional 
• Dorothy Dorman, First Student, Wichita USD 259, Mini bus 
• Nelvin Smith, Seaman USD 345, Mini bus 

Pictured above: Kristy Evers, a bus driver for Goddard USD 265, congratulated her district teammate, Taunya Terhune. Along with Neil Swenson, they were the top team winners at the 55th Annual Kansas State Pupil Transportation Association (KSPTA) Safe Driving competition on June 4. (Submitted by Goddard USD 265)

Pictured below: Jerry Guerrero, a driver for Garden City USD 457, was named the 2025 State Safe Driver Champion (KSPTA website).