Ken Kramer, assistant superintendent of business and operations at New Albany-Plain Local Schools, opened public remarks during the meeting by marking National School Bus Safety Week and thanking the district’s transportation staff.

“Linda, so much of what you do every single day is extremely important to the effective operation of our school district. You're the first face students see in the morning and you're the last face they see representing the district in the evening,” Kramer said, thanking site supervisors, drivers, mechanics and office staff.

The district’s bus drivers and other transportation employees spoke about daily safety routines and relationships with students. “Our job is is to get our children to in school every day in a safe manner,” said a driver who identified herself as Molly and said she drives bus 32 and has been with the district 16 years. Drivers described practicing seat-on-seat, back-on-back and feet-on-floor procedures, teaching self-control and keeping hands to themselves to reduce risks in transit.

Route specialist Carrie Mensler, who said she has been a bus driver for about 23 years and with New Albany-Plain Local Schools for five years, noted changes in student behavior and rules. “They've added 5 more rules on the bus,” Mensler said, and added that cellphones and earbuds increase supervision concerns because students can be distracted from safety instructions.

Other drivers described techniques they use to keep students safe and calm: maintaining clear rules, keeping aisles free, using a calm voice and building relationships so students respond to direction. “I love the relationships that we develop with the kids,” one driver said, describing how drivers sometimes help turn a student’s day around by greeting them warmly or returning a forgotten item.

School staff and students who addressed the meeting also thanked drivers. “We just wanna thank the transportation department for all that you do,” said a staff member identified as Mr. Tate at the high school. Students offered brief thanks to named drivers and encouraged the community to join in recognizing National School Bus Safety Week.

Remarks during the public-comment portion focused on appreciation and on everyday safety practices rather than on policy changes or proposed district actions. No motions, votes or formal policy changes were recorded in the transcript portion covering these remarks.

The district’s remarks highlighted the role of transportation staff in daily operations and student safety and called attention to practical supervision issues — including distractions from personal electronics — that drivers said they face on routes.