District honors transportation employee of the quarter and affirms bus-safety discretion after winter weather

Robertson County Schools recognized Lance Stapleton as transportation employee of the quarter at the Jan. 13 board meeting and reiterated that transportation staff have discretion to avoid unsafe roads after recent winter weather.

Lance Stapleton, who has worked in student transportation since November 2014, was presented the award for his work with the district’s special needs population and for his teamwork and leadership. Stapleton said the accomplishments were a group effort: "Any accomplishment ... is dependent on so many other people ... We have a great team, a great leader, a great staff," he said during brief remarks accepting the recognition.

Board members and staff also discussed recent decisions about school openings and bus routing following snowy and icy road conditions. Staff reported that, although schools were scheduled to reopen and most routes would run, the supervisor of transportation told the board that drivers were instructed not to drive buses on roads they do not feel comfortable navigating. School leaders emphasized safety as the priority when deciding whether to run buses on particular roads.

Board members thanked transportation staff for their work over difficult weather days, and several members said they would support supervisors’ safety decisions. The board also noted upcoming winter graduation ceremonies and other district events that transportation supports.