education
by Ann Marie Kennon • photos courtesy Meleia Cox annmarie@lhtxdigest.com
We Love Our School Bus Drivers
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ebruary 22 is National School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day and Liberty Hill is celebrating the 41 professionals who transport the most precious cargo to and from school every day. Kids know the drivers are there to make sure they get to and from school safely and on time. Parents are assured that once their kiddos leave home for school, they are in good hands. The ISD knows they are mentors, guides, and so much more. In light of this job description, Liberty Hill ISD is taking an entire day to celebrate the work and impact these drivers have on the community.
BY THE NUMBERS For this school year, the district has 49 buses, ten of which are brand new, thanks to a replacement grant, and plans to buy two more to accommodate the ongoing growth in the district. Director of Transportation Meleia Cox (pictured) says, “While it can be a challenge to get the kids to wear them, all of our new buses have a seatbelt for every rider, and we have wonderful bus monitors and aides who assist kids who need help.” She also praises the students’ Smart Tag system, which allows the driver and the school to pinpoint exactly what time and where a student got on and
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off the bus. “Sometimes you call the name and the student thinks he or she is in trouble and won’t answer. Our drivers maintain these records meticulously, and it provides great peace of mind for everyone.” Meleia herself became a driver because her own daughter wanted to ride the bus to school. “I was apprehensive about putting her on the bus to kindergarten. She tried it for a few weeks and when I saw a post that said the district needed drivers, I got my license so my daughter could ride my bus. She is 22 years old now, and she has always appreciated that she became friends with more of her classmates by riding another neighborhood route with me.” Meleia drove for two years, then worked as a support employee, eventually becoming director in 2013. Meleia says all 49 buses are in service, and while they are always looking for additional drivers to share this important part of the school day, she is very proud of the diversity of experience her drivers bring to the students’ daily commutes.
THE BUS STOPS HERE Of their 41 drivers, including those who work on-call, she has teacher aides and full-time drivers, plus a paramedic, and another who retired from the
