Feb. 22 is School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day

This week Minnesotans honors bus drivers across the state with “School Bus Driver Appreciation Day” on Wednesday, Feb. 22, to draw attention to these dedicated professionals and to the statewide bus driver shortage.
Rock County’s list of school bus drivers report for duty in the Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek districts.
Luverne school bus drivers include Brad Goembel, Scott Adams. Keith Brandt, Bonnie Busse-Reu, Mark Ehlers, Tom Fick, Jerry Hansen, Sam Hansen, Larry Harms, Lloyd Hemme, Andrew Hess, Heather Hess, Jerry Hoff, Mike Jarchow, Bill Korth, Laura Luitjens, Shelly Mallon, Tom Martius, Craig Nekali, Rodger Ossenfort, James Ouverson, Michael Polletta, Lon Remme, Chris Roos, Les Sankey, Todd Teal, Jeff Thacker and Ken Vos.
Hills-Beaver Creek school bus drivers include Doug Boeve, Lila Tatge, Rick Tatge Arlen Leenderts, Lisa Durst, Shari Doerr, and Mark Top, with substitute drivers Harlan Stueven, Paul Hartz, Travis Helgeson and Dalton Bass.
To recognize them, Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed Feb. 22 as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
“Minnesota’s school bus drivers are in the fabric of our schools and communities. They are often the first adult to greet a student at the start of each school day and the person that ensures each student gets home safely at the end of the day,” Walz said.
“As a parent and former classroom teacher, I am grateful to Minnesota’s school bus drivers for their invaluable contributions to public education and student safety and for their dedication to ensuring our communities are strong, safe and connected.”
The Minnesota School Bus Operators Association (MSBOA) and Minnesota Association of Pupil Transportation (MAPT) created School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in 2017.
“From rural country roads to city streets and everything in between, Minnesota school bus drivers are always willing to go the extra mile for our kids,” said MSBOA President Bethany Bertram.
“Bus drivers are among the many wonderful professionals who positively impact a student’s school experience every day, and we are excited to honor them on School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.”
School bus drivers make important contributions to public education and their communities, safely transporting more than 682,000 students statewide.
Nearly every school district in the state currently faces a bus driver shortage and is seeking professionals to serve in these fulfilling, flexible jobs.
“Our school bus drivers are facing another challenging year of staff shortages and a very cold and snowy winter, but they are undeterred in their dedication to serving students,” said MAPT President John Thomas.
“Children are our future, and they need consistent, caring adults in their lives. These professionals give them that stability with a warm greeting in the morning and friendly farewell in the afternoon. We hope Minnesotans help us recognize school bus drivers in their communities and thank them for consistently showing up for our kids every day.”