Every school day, long before the first bell rings, the Streetsboro City Schools Transportation Department is already hard at work. From carefully inspecting buses and navigating neighborhood streets to greeting students by name and making sure they arrive safely at school, the district’s transportation team plays an essential role in the daily lives of approximately 1,200 students.
As Streetsboro City Schools recognizes National School Bus Safety Week, October 19-23, the district is taking the opportunity to recognize the dedicated employees who keep its buses moving, the safety measures that guide their work and the importance of maintaining a reliable fleet through Permanent Improvement (PI) funding.
The Streetsboro City Schools Transportation Department includes 16 bus drivers, two bus aides, three substitute drivers, a secretary, a supervisor and a mechanic. Together, they manage 18 routes covering approximately 900 miles each school day.
While most families see bus drivers during morning pickups and afternoon drop-offs, their responsibilities extend well beyond those daily routes. Some drivers transport preschool students during midday runs, while others work throughout the district as building aides, recess and cafeteria monitors, or food service employees.
Behind the scenes, drivers carefully prepare route sheets to help substitute drivers navigate unfamiliar routes, develop and adjust seating charts to accommodate student needs, and work to build positive relationships with the children they transport.
Those connections often extend beyond the bus. Some drivers attend their students’ athletic competitions and performing arts events, supporting them in activities outside the classroom.
Whether it is greeting a student each morning, exchanging a few words with a parent or noticing when a child is having a difficult day, the transportation team understands that relationships are an important part of student safety and well-being.
The department also benefits from experienced employees who help support newer drivers. At least two Streetsboro bus drivers have served the district for more than 25 years, and two drivers have become certified on-bus instructors responsible for training and retraining colleagues. The transportation secretary has also earned a commercial driver's license (CDL) and assists with routes when needed. Several drivers have even received training to transport the high school band's equipment trailer.
Transportation Supervisor Amanda Hall emphasized that the team's commitment to students guides its work. "Our staff truly has the focus of doing what's best for kids," said Hall. "The care and safety that is taken by the whole team is the driving force behind every decision that is made, big or small."
Begins Before the Bus Leaves the Garage
Driving a school bus requires specialized skills, extensive training and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Streetsboro bus drivers must hold a Class B CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements. They also must complete pre-service training covering student pickup and drop-off procedures, mirror checks, hand signals, railroad crossings and student management.
Drivers must recertify every six years and regularly participate in additional professional development, often at least once annually. Ongoing training focuses on student management, de-escalation strategies, proper mirror placement and emergency procedures.
Before beginning their routes each morning, drivers conduct thorough pre-trip inspections of their buses. These inspections include checking the engine compartment, testing brakes, examining exterior lights and reviewing other essential safety components. Similar inspections are required before field trips.
The district's mechanic provides regular maintenance, monitors fluid levels and addresses mechanical issues to keep buses operating safely and reliably.
The transportation team also conducts emergency evacuation drills to prepare students for situations requiring them to exit a bus quickly and safely.
According to Hall, school bus drivers must balance responsibilities that require constant attention and sound judgment. "Bus drivers have a very unique skill set," said Hall. "They are expected to follow all of the traffic laws, the order of operations in driving the bus and picking up/dropping off students and properly manage the bus and use their interpersonal skills."
Drivers must remain attentive to the road while monitoring student behavior, communicating with families and following established safety procedures. It is a demanding responsibility that requires patience, professionalism and genuine care for students.
Investing in Safe, Reliable Transportation
Maintaining a dependable fleet is another critical part of the district's transportation operations. Streetsboro City Schools currently operates 26 buses, ranging in age from newly purchased vehicles to buses that are 12 years old.
In June 2026, the district purchased two new 78-passenger Thomas Built Buses at a combined cost of $312,820, or $156,410 per bus. The purchase included camera systems, two additional cameras on each bus and 10-year, 150,000-mile warranties.
New school buses typically cost between $150,000 and $175,000, making replacement planning an important part of the district's long-term financial management.
The district budgets to purchase at least one new bus annually, following a replacement schedule designed to maintain a safe, dependable fleet while minimizing unexpected repair expenses.
Each new bus includes a 10-year warranty that generally covers major components. As buses approach the end of their warranty periods, the district evaluates their condition, repair costs and remaining useful life to determine when replacement is appropriate.
Newer buses also feature enhanced safety technology, including additional camera systems, cameras monitoring the stop arm and areas outside the bus, and improved LED lighting.
These investments help reduce the likelihood of mechanical breakdowns, support reliable transportation schedules and provide updated safety features for students and drivers.
How Permanent Improvement Dollars Support Transportation
The district's ability to maintain its bus replacement schedule depends on permanent improvement (PI) funding. PI dollars are designated for capital expenses, including school buses, district vans and improvements to transportation facilities and infrastructure. This funding allows the district to replace aging vehicles without placing additional pressure on its general fund, which supports day-to-day educational operations.
Maintaining a regular replacement cycle also helps the district avoid the growing maintenance costs and service disruptions associated with operating buses beyond their useful lives.
Recent transportation facility improvements have included repaving the bus parking lot and rebuilding the bus maintenance building. PI funding also supports improvements to the bus garage and bus parking depot. These investments help protect the district's transportation equipment and support the employees responsible for maintaining it.
Without a consistent replacement schedule, aging buses could become increasingly expensive to repair or reach a point where they can no longer operate reliably. That could eventually affect the district's ability to transport students to school, extracurricular activities and athletic events.
By planning purchases and following an established replacement cycle, Streetsboro City Schools works to make responsible use of taxpayer dollars while maintaining essential transportation services for students and families.
Meeting Challenges and Preparing for the Future
Like many school districts, Streetsboro City Schools continues to face challenges recruiting and retaining enough qualified drivers to meet daily route and field trip demands. Despite limited staffing, the transportation department has maintained its commitment to transporting students to and from school and supporting athletic and extracurricular activities.
The district is continually seeking bus drivers and substitute drivers and offers a training pathway for individuals interested in joining the profession. Through this program, individuals can become certified to drive district vans while receiving assistance obtaining their school bus CDL within approximately one year. The program provides an opportunity to earn pay while training for a career as a school bus driver. The district hopes this approach will help develop new drivers and strengthen its transportation workforce.
For the department, the past year's accomplishments extend beyond new buses and facility improvements. Continuing to provide dependable transportation despite staffing challenges remains a significant source of pride.
A Shared Responsibility for School Bus Safety
During National School Bus Safety Week, the Transportation Department is also reminding the community that student safety extends beyond the bus itself.
Motorists play an essential role in protecting children, particularly during morning and afternoon pickup and drop-off times. Drivers should remain alert when approaching school buses, watch for students near roadways and obey school bus stop signals.
"Safety does not just occur inside the bus, it happens outside of the bus as well," said Hall. "Community members being aware of buses on the road, especially during morning and afternoon route times, helps to keep our students safe while boarding/unboarding."
For Streetsboro City Schools, National School Bus Safety Week is an opportunity to thank the transportation professionals whose work often happens quietly and behind the scenes. From the first pre-trip inspection of the morning to the final student drop-off of the afternoon, these employees help ensure that students can safely access the educational opportunities awaiting them each day.
Their work involves far more than driving a bus. It requires technical expertise, sound judgment, teamwork and a commitment to the students and families they serve. For approximately 1,200 Streetsboro students each day, that dedication makes all the difference.
