The transportation director of a public school system primarily oversees the bus system that moves students to and from school each day. The director supervises a fleet of bus drivers, clerical workers, and mechanics and serves as the liaison for administrators and parents. When difficulties occur with the transportation system, the director is the person who steps in to find solutions.
The transportation director manages a budget that covers equipment, maintenance, vehicles and personnel. It’s the director’s responsibility to create a budget and ensure the department stays within its limits. Transportation budgets include purchasing new school buses when necessary, as well as a maintenance schedule that follows state guidelines to ensure students’ safety. Salaries, tools, fuel and inspections also fall within the transportation budget.
The director hires and promotes personnel within his division. While the human resource department may recruit for drivers and clerical positions within the department, the director can oversee the interviews and make recommendations for hiring. The director also is responsible for reviewing employees and recommending terminations, promotions, pay raises and disciplinary actions. As part of his regular duties, the transportation director provides input for bus schedules and oversees staff schedules, managing employees so important bus routes are always covered.
As with most administrators, the transportation director is required to create and submit a plethora of reports to the school board, the chief of district operations and state regulators. Because funds come from public taxes, all expenditures must be accurately allocated and accounted for. Accident reports fall under the purview of the transportation director who must also document any and all follow-up from incidents. Complaints and concerns must be documented, with all follow-up correspondence copied and saved.
The transportation director often is the staff member who responds to media requests for interviews when accidents on school buses occur. It’s the duty of the director to maintain positive PR within the community and assure parents and school officials that the safety of their children is the first and only priority of the administration. A transportation director wears many hats that require mechanical, supervisory and organizational skills. At the same time, she must be astute in answering media questions, allaying parental fears when children may be at risk, and assuring the community that children are safe and secure under her leadership.
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