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Transportation director reports 48,000 students transported daily; board seeks consistent discipline matrix
Summary
Transportation staff told the board the district runs about 346 routes and moves roughly 48,000 students daily; officials said most student suspensions for bus incidents are bus‑only but that a new discipline matrix will standardize responses next year.
Denise Hall, director of transportation, briefed the Clayton County Board of Education on bus safety, ridership and operational protocols, telling members the district transports roughly 48,000 students each day over about 346 routes and drives more than 28,000 miles daily.
“We transport 48,000,” Hall said when a board member asked for scale; she added the system operates over 28,000 miles a day and that many routes run in three or four tiers.
Hall summarized documented incidents—fights, driver/monitor assaults, bullying and other serious misconduct—that have required Bus Safety Reports and administrative actions. In response to a board question, she said suspensions are typically “off the bus” (i.e., removed from bus service) but that, depending on the severity and the student’s circumstances (including disabilities), school suspensions may also occur. The district plans to implement a discipline matrix next year to provide consistent, equity‑based responses across schools and drivers.
Hall described pre‑trip and post‑trip procedures drivers follow, and said the district enforces a childcare‑reminder check to prevent children from being left on buses. She also said parents and students can track buses via the district’s app, which has about 17,000 registered users so far.
Board members pressed Hall about staffing levels; she said the system is fully staffed but contends with absenteeism and FMLA and currently has roughly six open routes without dedicated drivers. The board asked for a public explanation of a typical driver morning routine; Hall outlined pre‑trip checks (fluids, tire thumps, exterior walk‑around) and post‑trip checks required after off‑loading students.
Members thanked Hall for the report and agreed to continue refining procedures for safety, tracking and consistent discipline.
