When January settles into southern Wisconsin, the cold does not just creep into front porches and driveways. It seeps into engines, fuel lines and batteries long before most people have poured their first cup of coffee. For the New Glarus School District, that cold sets the stage for a behind-the-scenes routine that is structured to avoid surprises, and deliberately dependable.

“School transportation is intentionally unexciting,” said Will Sternberg, transportation coordinator for the district. “All aspects of it are related to preplanning and taking action before there is a problem.”