Optimist-Outlook 1/15/09

Marianna Optimist Club Activities
By Don Jones - Meeting of January 6th, 2009
"You Call, We Haul!"
Stuart Wiggins, Jackson County’s Public Schools, Director of Student Transportation, spoke before the Marianna Optimist, last week. He opened by expressing his appreciation for the Optimist Club’s positive influence in the community. He especially appreciated the things Optimist do for the youth in Jackson County, mentioning the financial support Optimist gives to various student sporting activities, and booster clubs each year. He said he firmly believes in the old adage, "It takes the whole community to raise a child."
After eight years as Director of Jackson County Schools Transportation Department, a very demanding job, Wiggins is looking forward to assuming his new position as Director of Facilities which is to take place in February 2009, when the current Director, James E. (Buddy) Dickson, plans to step-down due to his retirement.
Wiggins wanted to stress the message that riding the County’s School Buses is a privilege, and not a constitutional right. As everyone knows, privileges can be revoked. Students who do not follow the rules, designed primarily for their own safety, are subject to losing that privilege. Violating bus rules jeopardizes the student’s riding privileges and the safety of everyone on the bus. With this in mind, parental reinforcement of these safety rules is very important, and appreciated by the drivers who must keep their eyes on the road.
Putting things in perspective, statistically, Jackson County School buses carry over seventy five hundred students and drive eighty-nine routes twice each day. Also, more than forty percent of these students ride the bus every school day. Of the 1,400 miles of roads in Jackson County, only 491 miles are paved, and three of the eighty-nine routes driven each day are more than two hours long. A total of one million miles is driven by Jackson County School Bus drivers each year.
Jackson County School’s Transportation Department has an Office Staff of five, with a total of approximately one hundred qualified, full time, and part time drivers. The buses are maintained and inspected monthly by a staff of five ASE Certified Mechanics, and all warranty service is performed at the manufacturer’s authorized dealer in Dothan Alabama.
Although, Jackson County Schools employ 100 LDL Licensed Drivers to meet the million mile challenge, additional drivers are needed. A driver can earn as much as $15,000 per year, and work only four hours a day. A qualified and fully licensed bus driver starts at $12.80 per hour. This is considered ideal by some retired individuals, and those needing a second income. If interested, call or apply at the bus barn office during regular business hours. Phone: 482-1323