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Our future is riding with us!
NYAPT Executive Board Elections - 2026
Announced Candidates
President
John Spacht
Transportation Director, Southwestern, Frewsburg, and Jamestown School District
John Spacht is proud to be a candidate for President of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation. With more than 20 years of experience in transportation, spending the last 16 years in pupil transportation. John has dedicated his career to safety, training, and operational excellence. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he brings a leadership style rooted in service, accountability, and teamwork.
John serves as a New York State Master School Bus Driver Instructor, DMV 19-A Certified Examiner, NYS Vehicle Safety Inspector, and Third-Party CDL Road Test Examiner through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. He is also the Director of Transportation for three school districts in Chautauqua County. His hands-on experience working with drivers, technicians, and transportation departments gives him a practical understanding of the day-to-day challenges facing pupil transportation across the state.
John has also been deeply involved in advocacy for the industry, previously serving as Legislative Committee Chair for the New York Association for Pupil Transportation. In that role, he worked to ensure the voices of transportation professionals were heard on critical issues affecting student transportation.
As President, John’s vision is to strengthen professional development, expand member engagement, and advocate for practical policies that support safe, efficient, and sustainable student transportation. He is committed to building stronger partnerships across the industry and ensuring that NYAPT continues to be a strong voice for the professionals who safely transport New York’s students every day.
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President-Elect
Nicole Dolce
Transportation Director - Herricks Public School
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Vice - President
Brian Trask
Director of Transportation, Facilities & Technology
Unatego Central School District
Brian Trask is a candidate for Vice President of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation. He currently works as the Director of Transportation, Facilities, and Technology at Unatego Central School. He has 23 years of transportation experience.
Brian is an active 19-A Examiner, School Bus Driver Instructor (SBDI), and a NYSED Master Instructor, committed to training and safety in the school transportation industry. Over the years he has chaired various committees and served on several others.
Brian has been a NYAPT member for about seventeen years. He served on the NYAPT Board of Directors for over seven years and, for the past two years, held an office on the NYAPT Executive Board as Treasurer. During his time as treasurer of NYAPT he has helped to ensure that we are in a solid financial position as we move forward.
Now running for Vice President, Brian is ready, willing, and dedicated. As a current executive board member, he understands the time and commitment that is required.
He asks for your vote in the upcoming election.
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Secretary
Jamie Reinke
Freeport School District
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Treasurer
Christine Finch
Lafayette Central School District
Christine Finch has been a dedicated professional in school transportation since 2009, bringing over a decade of hands-on experience and leadership to the field. She began her career as aschool bus driver, developing a strong foundation in student safety and daily operations. In 2017, Christine advanced to the role of school bus dispatcher and became a certified 19-A Examiner, further expanding her expertise in driver compliance and regulatory standards. In 2018, she earned her certification as a School Bus Driver Instructor (SBDI), where she played a key role in training and mentoring new drivers.
Christine continued her progression into leadership, becoming Assistant Transportation Supervisor in 2022 and Transportation Supervisor in 2023 for the LaFayette Central School District. In her current role, she oversees transportation operations, ensures regulatory compliance, and prioritizes the safety and efficiency of student transportation services. Christine is also actively involved in professional leadership through NYAPT, where she serves as Chair of the Pupil Safety Committee and Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee. In these roles, she works to promote student safety initiatives and support the development of future transportation professionals. With a comprehensive understanding of transportation at every level—from driver to district leadership—Christine brings a well-rounded perspective, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to excellence. She is passionate about supporting transportation professionals and strengthening the industry. Christine is proud to be running for the position of Treasurer for the NYAPT Board and looks forward to contributing her experience, integrity, and dedication to the organization.
| CONTACT US: NYAPT 1764 Route 9 - P.O. Box 356 518-463-4937 Executive Director: David Christopher Lobbyist: Andre Claridge, WAV Strategies Membership/Events: Joyce Mitchell | NYAPT IS A 501 (C) 6 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
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