New Albany schools reorganize transportation leadership into three manager roles

The New Albany Floyd County School Board on July 14 voted 7-0 to reorganize the district’s transportation department, replacing an assistant director position with three manager roles and appointing internal staff to those posts. The change, presented by Transportation Director Brad Caribou, moves to a managerial structure of routing and logistics manager, operations manager and shop manager. The board adopted the reorganization after Caribou described the changes as modeled on a recent facilities reorganization and intended to improve customer service for drivers, families and schools. “Instead of having the assistant director, move to 3 manager positions. Won't add anybody on to the headcount, but kind of spread the duties and responsibilities among those 3 managers to better serve our drivers, our families, and our schools,” Caribou said. Caribou recommended Diane Nail as routing and logistics manager, an employee he said had about nine years with the district and roughly 17 years’ routing experience; Ethan (last name not specified) as shop manager; and Britney Harden as operations manager. Board members said the three employees had stepped up during a transition when the former director and assistant director were on leave. Board members asked about costs. Caribou said the district expected “about $20,000” in salary savings from the change and estimated the total savings including benefits could be “around $25,300.” He also told the board the positions were posted and filled after interviews that included some external candidates. The motion to approve the reorganization and the appointments was made, seconded and approved unanimously, with board roll-call recorded as Aye by Members Weishard, Carruthers, Ball, Galligan, Nafis, Northup and Gardner. The board’s action includes a note that headcount will not increase and that the new structure is intended to reduce overall administrative compensation costs.