Brad Wetzel - Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Jessica Bailey - Ursuline Academy
Karlyn Johnson Brown - Immaculate Heart Girls High School & Middle School
Kirk Gossman - Woodside Priory School


A panel discussion with admissions leaders who have pioneered an innovative parent-to-parent carpooling solution to meet the evolving needs of families. They will share how adapting their transportation strategies has supported enrollment growth, strengthened community connections, and addressed sustainability. Context: Independent schools are facing a shift. Traditional transportation models—especially the school bus—are increasingly unsustainable due to rising costs, driver shortages, and changing parent expectations. Families are seeking flexibility, connection, and trust—especially as they weigh school choices that align with their values and daily lives. Embracing change means reimagining how students get to school. Our panelists will share how they have designed a hybrid, dynamic mix of transportation options that adapt to their communities’ needs, with GoKid’s software-driven carpooling platform as a cornerstone. Their stories illustrate how transportation innovation can become a strategic asset—not just a logistical necessity. Structure: Felice Wilson, Head of Business Development at GoKid, will introduce the panelists and then open the floor to audience questions. -Each panelist will introduce their school and context: -Specific transportation and enrollment challenges -How/ why they adapted their transportation approach Attendees will leave with: -Examples of how transportation solutions can evolve to meet today’s challenges - Strategies to communicate transportation options effectively in admissions conversations - An understanding of the potential return on investment - Peer-tested insights into building buy-in for new solutions - A network of change-makers leading the charge in transportation innovation
110 East 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
United States