Inside Prosper ISD’s Employee-Driven Transportation Safety Initiative

Prosper ISD bus drivers identified a growing high-risk trend of students riding electric bikes and scooters near parked and moving school buses. Recognizing the safety concerns, Transportation leadership partnered with the Risk Management department to proactively address the issue.

Through the team’s collaboration, “Walk Your Wheels” signage was strategically installed at over 200 locations across the district. The initiative has helped reduce unpredictable movement in loading zones, significantly improving driver visibility and enhancing overall student and staff safety.

The Walk Your Wheels initiative is just one example That potentially life-saving procedural change is just one example of how employee-driven problem-solving powers the district’s Driven to Safety Initiative. Prosper ISD earned a Fund Excellence Award for its efforts. More importantly, employee engagement is helping drive down transportation incidents, boost morale, build trust, and create a culture of safety in this growing district just north of Dallas.

Driven to Safety

Prosper ISD Transportation Director Teri Mapengo served as a bus driver before progressing through leadership ranks. She knows that safely transporting students while navigating traffic, road hazards, inclement weather, and student behavior is a critical responsibility. She also knows safety initiatives that move the needle are driven by the people closest to the work.

"Our employees often spot risk trends long before leadership sees them in reports,” said Teri. “When they help design the solution, they are more invested in applying and sustaining it.”

The Driven to Safety program encourages drivers, monitors, mechanics, and office staff to submit safety suggestions. All suggestions are shared during monthly safety meetings, and everyone who submits a suggestion is entered into a gift card drawing.

Transportation leadership and the district's safety team review ideas for impact, feasibility, and alignment with incident trends. If the district implements an idea, the employee is publicly recognized and rewarded.

By channeling employees' unique insight into safer operations, the team has seen qualitative results despite increased risk. The district’s enrollment surged 60% between 2020 and 2025, thanks in part to its quality schools. Growth means more routes, more riders, and more hazards. Still, the transportation team has cut preventable incidents like mirror strikes and tail swings in half since launching the Driven to Safety initiative.

Beyond Data

Metrics are critical to evaluating safety initiatives, but Teri says the Driven to Safety campaign's impact resonates beyond data. Drivers are more proactive and safety aware. They report concerns sooner and participate more actively in safety meetings. Two-way communication and follow-through are also strengthening trust between leadership and staff.

It all culminates in a cultural shift that's elevating safety to a value that never gets compromised.

"Employees know they're supported, not just evaluated,” said Teri. “Safety is no longer viewed as something leadership enforces. It’s something the entire team owns. That combination of accountability and support changes behavior and makes our improvements sustainable."

Stronger Together

For Teri and her team, the Fund Excellence Award serves as a daily reminder that their commitment to safety makes a measurable difference for the community and its students. In the spirit of Fund members growing stronger together, Teri offers this advice to transportation peers who want to launch a similar initiative.

"You have to make employees feel safe reporting their concerns. From there, track your data, recognize contributions, and communicate results,” said Teri. “When employees feel heard, supported, and recognized, safer operations follow."