School Bus Fleet

November 2014

A management & maintenance magazine for school transportation fleets

Issue link: https://sbf.epubxp.com/i/402970

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 44 of 77

43 N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 • S C H O O L B U S F L E E T Allan Jones Director of Student Transportation Washington Offce of Superintendent of Public Instruction Olympia, Washington How did you get your start in the school bus industry? I started driving a school bus in Seattle in 1977. My unemploy- ment had run out and I was just fnding something to get me through until I found a "real job." I'm still looking. Current job duties? Our offce oversees the distribution of funding for school dis- trict transportation in Washington, both for the operational costs and capital costs (school bus depreciation). We also oversee the authorization of our 10,600 school bus drivers and the occasion- al process to remove those drivers that have made bad choices. Training programs include training school bus driver instruc- tors, annual in-service training for drivers and the Pupil Trans- portation Management Training Program. Top achievements? I am very happy to have been part of the process of imple- menting a new funding system for student transportation oper- ations that is just being fully funded for the frst time this school year (2014-15), providing an additional $110 million plus for school districts. The other thing that I am very pleased to have been part of is the implementation of the McKinney-Vento transportation re- quirement to keep homeless students in their school of origin. This is making a huge impact on the educational achievement of these kids that are going through tough times. Most interesting place you've been? Over the last 30 years, I have primarily backpacked into the Olympic National Park. That has evolved into a "soft" goal of hiking all the trails in the park. But I love the high country, and there are several long river valleys, trails choked with trees, that I have passed by to visit a few fa- vorite alpine meadows a second, third or fourth time. Sorry, I'm not going to mention my favorite locations by name — the fewer people up there the better I like it. Most interesting or strangest job you've had? In the winter of 1974-75, I worked in a little sawmill up in Alaska. Just my boss and I. The only part that was covered was the actual saw. I spent a lot of hours shoveling snow to keep the walkways clear. I also drove a '47 Dodge winch truck down the highway in the middle of January — without a windshield. Michael Shields Director of Transportation and Auxiliary Services Salem-Keizer Public Schools Salem, Oregon How did you get your start in the school bus industry? I was working as a district manager for a newspaper, going to college, and thought driving a bus would provide additional income. Current job duties? To provide administrative leadership to the transportation department and the auxiliary services department (district warehouse, reprographics, crossing guards, cartage and haul- ing, mail, surplus and delivery) with 500 employees in the two departments. We have reduced our warehouse inventory and improved our service, we have increased our print jobs by 22% without adding additional labor, and we continue to provide an environment for folks to grow and expand their skills, abilities and knowledge. Also: coordinating services to all the summer programs (52 programs during this most recent summer). Top achievements? Besides my wife and kids it would be helping others along their professional journey. Outside interests? Family and friends for social contacts. We watch [University of Oregon] Duck games together, wine taste and enjoy the North- west. Activities I enjoy are golf, downhill skiing, reading, play- ing with my dog, keeping my yard up and movies. Most interesting place you've been? Whistler, British Columbia, with its majestic mountains, di- verse population and activities. Most interesting or strangest job you've had? Ski school instructor supervisor. What a blast to ski the moun- tain checking to ensure kids and adults are having a great time! My strangest job probably would be working in a stockyard. Something that people would be surprised to learn about you? I was born in Japan. Also, the number of physical injuries that I have sustained always surprises folks, particularly ER docs and physical therapists. Washington state director Allan Jones enjoys backpacking in Olympic National Park. Michael Shields and his wife, Debbie, enjoy experienc- ing the variety of the Pacifc Northwest. They are pic- tured here at Roche Harbor on Washington's San Juan Island. Born: Aberdeen, Washington Home: Olympia, Washington Years in industry: 37 Born: Yokosuka, Japan Home: Salem, Oregon Years in industry: 43

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of School Bus Fleet - November 2014