The quality policy of Salem-Keizer Public Schools states, “Through a constant commitment to quality, we provide a pathway to success for every child, every day.” The dedicated staff at Transportation Services literally fulfills that mission on a daily basis, ensuring the safe transit of our students.

“The school bus driver’s role is critical,” said Michael Shields, director of Transportation Services. “They see the students at the beginning and end of each school day.”

Our buses travel over 3 million miles each year, covering approximately 178 square miles of land. As part of the strategic plan, Transportation Services has been working to align their services with student achievement and district priorities.

“In order for us to provide quality service to everybody, we need to set guidelines so that everyone is on the same page,” said Shields. “We are analyzing our service level expectations and bell schedules so that we can be consistent in our service.”

The department has also been measuring and collecting data for decision-making and improving processes. They have also been creating QAM procedures and implementing best practices. Through this, they have been able to make improvements in route processing times.

“Our job is to provide support and training for school bus drivers so they can do their best and have positive interactions with students,” said Shields. “Our goal is to continually improve our service so students arrive at school ready to learn.”