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Transportation report: staffing, safety recognition and restored DOT score
Summary
Transportation supervisor Tom Lewis told the board the district is down drivers but has recruited replacements, formed a garage advisory committee, produced a driver handbook for review, credited head mechanic Manny King for restoring DOT ratings to 100%, and reported 55 field trips and nearly 1,400 student transports as of May 21.
Tom Lewis gave the board the district transportation update and framed it as an effort to align goals with the district strategic action plan and to strengthen communication and driver culture.
"We had 61 students and 12 adults" was the count given for the Disney trip by Mr. White earlier; in his transportation report Lewis told members: "As of May 21, [we had] 55 field trips transporting almost 1,400 of our students plus over 200 athletic trips, covering 11,000 miles," summarizing the department's season of travel and the distances covered.
Lewis outlined actions taken this year: monthly driver meetings, a newly formed garage advisory committee (drivers and aides included), a planned handbook for drivers that the board will review, and a hiring success for a new head mechanic, Manny King, who previously worked in a nearby district. Lewis said DOT ratings have improved to 100% since King's arrival.
He also highlighted a student intervention on a bus bullying incident that staff reviewed on video and recognized the student for stepping in.
Why it matters: transportation is central to daily school operations and extracurricular opportunities. Board members pressed on recruitment and pay competitiveness; administrators said the handbook and advisory structures aim to improve retention and communication.
The board did not change compensation or finalize new hires at the meeting; Lewis said some positions remain open and the district will continue recruitment efforts.
