Before the lights come on

Every day before many of us are out of bed, something special is happening at the Ozark School District.  The Ozark School District transportation department employees have the lights on, diesel engines warming and are performing pre-trip inspections on our route busses.  Many of the drivers leave out under the cover of darkness to do one of the most important tasks of the day. 

The mission of the transportation department is simple; we want to deliver our students safely to and from school in order to maximize each student’s educational opportunity.  We will go a step further and say we want to do it with a sense of excellence and pride. 

Recently, I had the honor of riding through the snowy mountains checking road conditions for the Ozark School District with transportation director Mr. John Bennett.  It is clear within minutes that Mr. Bennett’s knowledge level concerning effectively transporting students in the Ozark School District is off the charts.  He explains the difference of the road conditions from town to the mountains as we’re heading north always emphasizing the safety of our students in his descriptions.  Mr. Bennett is accurate in his description and his knowledge level is very high, but the thing that impressed me the most is how personal student safety is to him. 

The bus drivers that make this happen every day share this same passion.  Ozark School District busses drive 18 different routes, approximately 1250 miles a day in a 400 square mile rural, mountainous district.  Generally speaking, we have very few problems and incidents.  It is really a phenomenon that takes great planning and cooperation between families, community, government, school district employees and our students.  This is a great testament not only to our transportation department, but to our community and families as well. 

Mr. Bennett and I concurred that a lot happens in Ozark School District before the lights come on in the buildings. 

I am sure this is true in each of your personal and professional lives as well.  Training, preparation, goal setting, planning and cooperation happen mostly out of the spotlight, in the trenches and away from the crowd.  It has been said that successful individuals and organizations spend more time preparing than they do performing.  I am thankful that our teachers, administrators, food service, transportation and Ozark School District staff are committed to doing just that. 

Thank you Mr. Bennett, drivers and the rest of the Ozark School District transportation staff for the efforts you make daily to transport our students in a safe and orderly fashion.  Thank you to the families of our students and the students themselves that make a great effort daily to be at the bus stop on time.  Maximizing the educational opportunity to the students of Ozark School District takes great planning, preparation, talented employees, parent support and cooperation.  Thank you for doing your part to make this happen!  I say this often, but it is so true; Together We Are Strong!  Go Hillbillies!