Michael Hush, the Director of Transportation for the Nye County School District, plays a critical role in ensuring that students across the district, particularly in Pahrump, have access to safe and efficient transportation to and from school. As the school year progresses, Mr. Hush and his team are dedicated to refining bus routes, implementing new technologies, and addressing the growing needs of the community.
One of the key responsibilities of Mr. Hush’s role is managing the district’s bus routes. The Nye County School District has a specific policy in place regarding the distance requirements for students to be eligible for bus transportation. “The distance is set by board policy 8400/8400R,” explains Mr. Hush. “It’s one mile for elementary students and two miles for middle and high school students.” However, these measurements are not as straightforward as they might seem. The district must consider both the actual distance and the safety of the walking paths available to students. “It depends on a safe walk distance,” says Mr. Hush. “For example, a student might live two blocks from the school, but if there’s no safe way for them to walk, they could end up having to walk a mile and a half to get there.”
To effectively manage the wide range of distances that students live from their schools in Pahrump, the transportation department relies on advanced software. “We use a software called Transfinder,” Mr. Hush explains. This system allows the department to plot out bus routes using various layers, such as street maps and parcel points. “We can modify the streets ourselves and plot all the routes, then look at the map to see if there’s a better location for a stop that’s more geographically centered for the stop boundary.”
In addition to managing current bus routes, Mr. Hush is also focused on preparing for future growth in Pahrump, particularly in areas where new subdivisions are being developed. “Some of these developments, I’ve gotten things set up and was ready to put stops in, and then I go out there and nothing happens,” he notes. However, the rapid development of certain areas, like Burson Ranch, has kept the transportation department on its toes. “That one kind of took us by surprise. I didn’t think they were building that fast.”
It’s important to note that riding the bus is considered a privilege, not a right, for most students within the district. “Unless it’s federally mandated, such as for special needs students with an IEP or 504 plan, transportation is a privilege,” Mr. Hush explains. This means that students who do not follow the rules and regulations for bus behavior can lose their bus riding privileges.
The district takes discipline on the bus seriously to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. “We have a basic set of rules, and if a student violates them several times, they could be placed on a contract where they have a year to improve their behavior,” says Mr. Hush. The discipline process is generally handled in stages. “Right now, we issue three bus tickets for minor infractions, and we handle that within the transportation department. If a student receives a fourth ticket, it escalates to an incident report that goes to the school, and the school deals with it. After the fifth or sixth incident, there may be discussions about suspension from the bus or other disciplinary actions.” Ultimately, if a student continues to exhibit problematic behavior, they could be suspended from bus transportation for up to a year.
New Bus Tracking Technology
One of the most significant technological advancements that Mr. Hush is excited about is the introduction of a new bus tracking app called Stopfinder. Last year, the district used Here Comes the Bus. Mr. Hush explains that the decision to move away from that app was due to ongoing issues with reliability. “The company was not able to make their program work the way they told us it would,” he says. “We had unreliable data, and it was getting worse, so we ended our relationship with them.” The new app, currently being tested by a select group of parents and district staff, promises to provide real-time updates on bus locations, making it easier for parents to know when their child’s bus will arrive. The app is designed to work in conjunction with a new GPS system called Samsara, which is already installed on the district’s buses.
“Samsara is a really good product,” says Mr. Hush. “We’re hoping to have the Stopfinder app rolled out by the end of this month, with full implementation, including tracking students with RFID cards, by October.”
The Stopfinder app will allow parents to track their child’s bus in real-time, providing an added layer of security and peace of mind. Additionally, the district plans to implement RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) cards that students will scan when boarding and exiting the bus. This system will provide accurate data on when and where each student gets on and off, ensuring that parents and the school are informed of each student’s location throughout their journey.
“The RFID cards will help us track students on and off the bus, which is a huge safety improvement,” explains Mr. Hush. “We’re also bringing on tablets that will provide turn-by-turn directions for drivers, making routes more efficient and reducing the potential for delays, as well as keeping parents informed as to when students arrive at their stops.”
New Buses for the District
In addition to the new technology, the district is also in the process of upgrading its bus fleet. “For years, the district purchased used buses from Clark County, but when the pandemic hit, manufacturing stopped, and there were no buses to be had,” Mr. Hush explains. The older buses have become increasingly costly to maintain and are prone to breakdowns, which can disrupt service and impact safety.
To address these challenges, the district has ordered new buses, which are currently being delivered. “We’re hopeful that within a few months, we’ll have all the new buses, especially for routes north of Pahrump,” says Mr. Hush. The new buses will be distributed across the district, with Pahrump receiving six new route buses in addition to the seven already in service. The district’s 10 special needs routes will also be equipped with newer buses, four of which are from 2020 and six from 2024.
“These new buses are safer, more reliable, and will help us maintain a higher standard of service for our students,” Mr. Hush emphasizes. The new buses come equipped with modern safety features and are expected to reduce the district’s maintenance costs significantly.
Despite the challenges of managing such a large and geographically diverse district, Mr. Hush remains focused on ensuring that all students have access to safe and reliable transportation. The transportation department is still hiring bus drivers, monitors, and bus aides to meet the needs of the community. Those interested in joining the team can apply through the district’s website and will receive comprehensive training and support at no cost. “The district will cover that training and help applicants through the process.”
Anyone with any transportation questions or concerns are invited to reach out to the transportation department via email. They can be reached at schoolbus@nyeschools.org.
