Kent City SD drivers place at regional rodeo; district to host fall competition

The Kent City School District recognized district transportation staff after several drivers placed at the regional school bus rodeo and announced the district will host the event this fall.

Director of Business Services Tim Sawyers and Superintendent Tom Larkin praised drivers who competed: Jasmine Phillips (an onboard instructor who also transports special‑needs students at Walpole Elementary) and Mark Reer (elementary bus driver). Sawyers said the district’s team placed second overall; Jasmine Phillips finished fourth and Mark Reer sixth at regionals. Phillips and Reer then advanced to compete in Columbus at the state level.

Phillips described the rodeo as continuing professional development: “Rodeo is an amazing experience. It helps us to better ourselves every year as bus drivers… It is completely voluntary… we practice for about a month beforehand. There's a written test, a bunch of driving skills, and I love it. I think that I can say that we love it, but it's amazing to keep the drivers up to date on everything.”

Sawyers said the district will move the rodeo from spring to fall and host it on the district's secondary campus on Oct. 4; he noted the district may need to close Roosevelt Drive — described in the meeting as the district’s longest driveway — for the event and promised advance public communication if closures are required.

Superintendent Larkin framed the recognition as celebration of everyday work: “We want to celebrate you for what you do every day…keeping them safe…and you do it with a smile on your face,” he told transportation staff.

No board action was required; the remarks and hosting plan were announced as part of the superintendent's updates.