However, the Pupil Transportation and School Nutrition divisions also work to interpret of laws and regulations and provide leadership and training assistance.

Nicholas Grancio, who Federal authorities said was a captain in the Colombo family, was a labor-relations consultant for Pupil Transportation in the 80's and early 90's.

Atlanta schools have been using the white tops for about four years, said Rick Rose, the president of the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation.

Ms. Romandetto distributed a memorandum from the central Office of Pupil Transportation indicating that there was a financial risk in taking field trips using yellow school buses.

That means the department's Office of Pupil Transportation was charged with carrying out the bus changes.

Denying any role in organized-crime activities, Mr. Grancio said in an interview that he had worked freelance as a "human-relations adviser" for Pupil Transportation.

Likewise, many school districts across the country have filled their rosters, said Mike Martin, the executive director for the National Association for Pupil Transportation.

The mode of transportation (yellow school bus or MetroCard) is determined by the Office of Pupil Transportation.

The card program is managed by the NYCDOE Office of Pupil Transportation.

"I try to make a decision with Dr. Fox by 5 a.m.," said Mr. Elmore, a past president of the New York State Association for Pupil Transportation.