Pictured above (l-r): Denise Twisdale (ADE), Rodney Clark, Brian Dischinger, Doug Reese, David Shepard, Rhonda Harris (AAPT President).
Bryant Public Schools has earned the 2026 Arkansas Association of Pupil Transportation (AAPT) Transportation and Safety Award, making it one of only six school districts in the state to receive the honor this year. The award recognizes excellence in student transportation safety, operational efficiency, and fleet maintenance across the district’s daily operations.
The annual statewide honor highlights school districts that maintain reliable bus fleets while prioritizing student safety during daily commutes and extracurricular travel. Bryant’s transportation department handles one of the largest transit operations in the region, according to a statement from the school district. They say the department manages 96 bus routes each school day to transport approximately 5,100 students on a fleet of 133 buses.
Transportation Director Scott Curtis and Assistant Transportation Director Eric Andrews lead the district’s department, supervising the team of drivers, support staff, and technicians responsible for the daily routes.
“The safety of our students is always our first priority,” Curtis said. “This recognition belongs to every member of our transportation team who works tirelessly behind the scenes and on the road to provide safe, dependable transportation for our students.”
State evaluators base the award on fleet maintenance precision and safety compliance. The district credited its maintenance team, including mechanics Rodney Clark, Brian Dischinger, Doug Reese, and Head Mechanic David Shepard, for keeping the vehicles aligned with state safety standards.
In addition to regular morning and afternoon school routes, the transportation department provides vehicles and drivers for field trips, athletic travel, and special events throughout the academic year.
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