District celebrates transportation for daily miracle of getting everyone to school and events

By Greg Mellen

Bus Drivers have the joy of being the first person many students see at the start of their school days, and the last person to say goodbye before they head home.

Bus drivers are an often unrecognized backbone to the educational experience, ferrying students, including those with special needs, to school and extracurricular events.

“It’s an important responsibility as an extension of the classroom,” said Jay McNamara, Director of Transportation for the Capistrano Unified School District. “We have a unique opportunity every day to make a difference, whether it’s a smile or a friendly hello. We’re there to build trust.”

The employees of the Capistrano Unified School District Transportation Department were recognized recently at the District’s annual Transportation Appreciation Day. Since 2009, California has observed School Bus Drivers’ Day on the fourth Tuesday in April. The legislature officially observes the day to “draw special public attention to school bus drivers in California for their enduring and exceptional contributions to students.”

At CUSD, Superintendent Chris Brown, who attended the event for the first time, said the importance of drivers and the department “cannot be overstated.”

Brown quoted vital statistics, including 1.5 million miles traveled per year across the 250 square miles of the district transporting kids to school, sports events, and field trips.

“Without transportation, a lot of kids don’t have the option to go to school,” Brown said.

At CUSD, not only drivers, but mechanics, route specialists and planners, and dispatchers are recognized.

Special qualities

When a group of drivers was asked about the essentials to be a driver, several themes arose.

“Patience.”

“Good attitude.”

“Be happy.”

Louis Maull has seniority among the drivers with 34 years on the job. He is particularly proud of the work he and the district do with transporting kids with special needs.

“We need to have love and patience,” he said. “We’re often their first experience (with education).”

Through the years, Maull has been a quiet presence in the lives of students and parents. He sees the struggles of many parents with their special needs kids and is happy to be a reassuring and trustworthy part of their day.

“It’s fun to watch how they progress,” he said of the kids. “Nothing gives me a bigger smile than when they remember me years later.”

“It can be stressful in the morning,” said Carmen Reyes, who has been a driver for 22 ½ years, “but it’s better with the kids.”

Adaptability is a key.

“Anything can happen,” said Reyes. “Like I tell them, ‘It all starts with the drivers.”

Reyes said it’s not uncommon for drivers to be the first to know about changes, like when the special needs student she had been driving since elementary school told her he was changing schools before the transportation department or even his education aide had been told.

“We always know first,” she said.

“You have to be cut out for it,” Hector Rivera, a 24-year veteran, said of driving, adding that getting proper rest is vital for what can be long days with unexpected overtime for field trips and after-school sports events.

A tough gig

The job is not easy. The drivers are considered part-time employees, working split shifts. They take students to school in the morning and return after school to take them home. However, with field trips and after-school sports, it isn’t uncommon for work days to stretch from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. or later.

Drivers are required to carry a valid California Class B Driver’s License, School Bus Driver’s Certificate, medical and first aid certificates. No experience is required and the district provides free training and classes. Pre-employment drug testing is done and random testing after appointment.

McNamara said he has about 85 drivers to cover what would typically require 100 to adequately cover.

“I’m surprised every day when we can make it happen,” he said. “We love making it happen. Watching the dispatchers filling all the slots, it’s like a shell game every day.”

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