RF bus drivers crucial to district success

RIVER FALLS – Todd Burnap, the transportation director for River Falls School District, is quick to offer praise for his team of 50 bus drivers and two mechanics. It’s clear he’s not used to taking credit himself, but he and Transportation Supervisor Karen Swenson do much to make operations run like a well-oiled machine.

Feb. 13-17 is Wisconsin School Bus Driver Appreciation Week. In River Falls, 50 drivers transport more than 2,400 students per year. Each driver travels about 49,000 miles per year.

“They do a lot of great things for us,” Burnap said of the drivers. “We wouldn’t be in the position we are without our great drivers. A lot of seasoned drivers have been around a long time that understand a lot of the little things that go on.”

The district is doing several things this week to honor bus garage staff. Parents will be asked to help their children fill out thank yous for their drivers, which will be used in a video. Coloring sheets have been handed out to elementary students who can complete them and give them to their drivers. And food is usually part of every celebration and this is no exception. Staff will enjoy a cake commemorating the special week and drivers will be treated to an omelet made to order breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Burnap and Swenson have both been in their roles for five years. Communications Director Jennifer Ames described the duo as the “brains behind the bus operation.”

“Both Todd and Karen do a phenomenal job running the bus garage, making weather decisions, staffing, coordinating routes, and even driving the bus themselves when needed,” Ames said.

No two days are the same in the bus garage. Burnap said the way his day will go usually depends on the weather.

“If we have stormy weather, I’m normally up at 3:30 a.m. driving the roads and in communication with Superintendent (Jamie) Benson, no later than 4:30 in the morning,” Burnap said.

Burnap and Benson both drive the roads themselves when trying to make weather closure decisions. They want to see what conditions are like for themselves and what parents and teen drivers would experience. They try to make a decision and get it out to parents by 5 a.m.

“That way we can make parents aware and they can pivot at that point,” Burnap said.

Burnap is normally down at the garage with one of the mechanics by 5:20 a.m. each morning at the latest. When the temperatures turn frigid, that time changes to 5 a.m. They start all the buses to make sure they’re operable. The district operates 24 route buses per day, and 10-12 buses run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for 3YK, 4K, special education kids, etc. At 2:30 p.m., the garage is a hive of activity again as drivers prepare to head out on their afternoon routes. Swenson in generally in the office each day 7:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. making sure routes run smoothly.

The district also operates six trip buses for sporting events, one of the only districts in the conference to do so. St. Bridget’s students are also bussed by district drivers, not only to school but to confirmation events. Burnap said the district also partners with UW-River Falls to help them bus students to different class opportunities, such as farms, streams and forests.

With such a busy schedule, the district is always looking for additional drivers. This time of year, a driver would likely start as a substitute or trip driver, Burnap said, which could turn into a permanent role down the road. Spring and summer are also busy times for the buses, with summer school programming and other activities.

Like many area districts, River Falls has been impacted by the national bus driver shortage. When COVID hit, many older drivers decided to retire due to health risks. Others stepped down not wanting to wear a mask (when the state required it on buses).

“It’s not like there’s a million drivers just knocking our door down,” Burnap said. “But we’ve been very lucky with people.”

Burnap and mechanics Jeff Lentz and Kory Pechacek have driven bus quite regularly the past three years to fill in when short.

“They really stepped in during COVID,” Burnap said. “We don’t really have the option to not operate, so we have to figure out how we’re going to do it. We shuffle duties around. It’s a very good team down here. The drivers are always willing to step up and help wherever they can, doing what they’re passionate about.”

“They really are a great group,” Swenson added.

Burnap worked in the tractor trailer transportation industry before coming to the bus garage. Swenson has worked in human resources her whole life. She is the voice parents speak to when calling about route changes, kids riding/not riding, scheduling activities trips and more. She works to help find drivers when help is needed.

“Every day is different,” she smiled. “They are always super helpful and polite,” Ames said. “Truly you guys are delightful. They are hit up with a lot of things last-minute and they are unflappable.”

Burnap’s job isn’t just scheduling routes and finding drivers. Anything that has an engine or wheels in the district that needs repairs is worked on at the bus garage.

“Any school vehicle that has any problem with it, we’re the ones who make sure it gets fixed,” Burnap said.

Keeping routes straight

As Burnap and Swenson chatted, a complicated grid dominated the screen behind them showing the different routes, drivers and locations for pick-ups and drop-offs. When asked how they keep it all straight without missing a stop, they explained that Route Finder Pro software helps to coordinate routes.

Parents with students new to the district are asked to fill out a Google survey when they register their child(ren), letting the district know whether bus transportation will be needed. That information, entered through Infinite Campus, is populated into Route Finder and incorporated into the route. The software program keeps existing routes similar to the year prior.

“We’re trying to make sure we don’t have overcapacitated buses,” Burnap said. “We always figure out a way to make it work.”

New drivers needed

“We’re an older group down here,” Burnap said.

The district is always looking for new drivers and will provide training, testing, a DOT physical and more. New drivers are paired with an experienced driver until they feel comfortable doing their route. New trip drivers are sent with a seasoned driver to act as a sounding board, “so they don’t feel like an island by themselves” on a long trip.

Burnap wants people to know how important the drivers are to kids.

“I know there’s a lot of people who do understand what our drivers do, but a lot of people don’t.

They are the first face in the morning and the last face kids see at night (from the schools),” he said. “We have a really good group and they really do care about the kids. A lot of time things get forgotten. That’s something we don’t want to have happen. They are so instrumental in making the day go.”

Burnap said drivers can expect a fun atmosphere that changes every day. Nothing is the same two days in a row.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Burnap said. “That’s what makes it so much fun, it changes.”

“It’s your co-workers too,” Swenson said. “Personally, I could not ask for a better boss.”