Olentangy transportation leaders report full fleet, new tablets and expanded driver training

Olentangy Local transportation officials told the school board on Sept. 11 that the district started the 2025–26 year with routes staffed, a nearly modernized fleet and added safety technology.

The district runs 163 routed school-bus routes and employed 166 drivers at the time of the presentation; transportation staff expect to reach roughly 171 drivers after pending hires. The fleet totals 190 buses, of which 163 are in regular use and 27 are spares. Transportation supervisor Amy Morgan and Transportation Director Ms. Carderoff described equipment upgrades, staffing improvements, and new training measures aimed at safety and reliability.

Board members said the staffing and maintenance figures matter because transportation can “make or break the day” for students when buses fail to run.

Carderoff emphasized the department’s operational goals and staffing work. “We aim to deliver safe, effective, efficient transportation and fleet maintenance services,” she said. She credited a seven-person mechanics team and a high level of preventive maintenance for inspectors’ favorable comments this summer.

Transportation performance and technology Transportation staff said 94% of district buses are 15 years old or newer and the department’s plan is to avoid placing buses older than 15 years into regular service. The district has 89 non-bus district vehicles (14 of them vans) that mechanics also maintain.

The district has completed an upgrade of on-bus camera systems and is rolling out tablets integrated with the Tyler Telematics routing system onto each bus. Carderoff said the tablets will present route directions, rider photos, trip information and — eventually — timekeeping and mechanical reporting. “Drivers can see whoever's supposed to board the bus,” she said, and the district plans a phased rollout that includes mounting tablets on buses and training drivers to use them.

Safety training and emergency preparedness Transportation staff showed a training video and described hands-on emergency practice that includes smoke-filled bus simulations. A bus driver who participates in the drills said in the video, “That bus engulfs so quickly… It's great that the smoke machines can simulate exactly what it would be like if this bus is actually to catch on fire.” Morgan said drivers also received refreshers on pre-trip inspections, inclement weather response and tornado procedures, and that Monday’s training included de-escalation strategies.

Staffing and recruitment Carderoff credited a robust recruiting pipeline and active outreach for getting more applicants, noting a dedicated staff member who quickly screens candidates and helps applicants obtain permits and commercial driving credentials. The department reported having more drivers than routes at the start of the year and about 15 part-time substitute drivers in training to support absences and vacancies.

Operational partnerships and community programs Carderoff noted partnerships with Orange Township, Delaware Public Health and local fire and police for drills and a Safe Routes to School grant application to improve pedestrian and bike access. She also said Olentangy will host the state bus-driver rodeo Oct. 18 at Berlin High School and that the transportation department organizes driver recognition and community-facing activities.

Why it matters The district transports over 11,000 students on district buses, and transportation reliability directly affects students’ punctuality, safety and daily experience. Board members praised the department’s preventive maintenance, staffing progress and the use of technology and training to reduce disruptions.

Ending Board members and administrators thanked Carderoff, Morgan and the transportation staff, and invited the public to the state rodeo and to future committee meetings where transportation topics are discussed.