Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) hosted the Region III School Bus Road-e-o event on April 13, 2024. The Road-e-o tests a bus driver’s knowledge and driving skills. This year’s event had 42 contestants representing Caroline, King George, King William, Lancaster, Spotsylvania, Stafford Counties and the City of Fredericksburg. Spotsylvania County had 20 school bus drivers compete this year.
The competition includes a written exam on pre-trip and school bus knowledge and a road course. The road course includes nine events, each event tests contestants on a specific set of skills. The events include, parallel parking, railroad crossing, making a right turn, a stop line, straight line, student pickup, backing up, diminishing clearance, and offset alley driving tests.
“The School Bus Road-e-o is a great event that promotes safety, team building, and improves morale,” said SCPS Director of Transportation Sean Clore.
SCPS bus drivers were the top three Road-e-o finalists: first place Natasha Cook, second place Jennifer Martin, and third place Brandy Hutcheson. Natasha Cook has been a SCPS school bus driver for three years. She drives for Massaponax High and Lee Hill Elementary. Jennifer Martin is a lead driver and has been a school bus driver for 24 years, 19 for Spotsylvania County. Brandy Hutcheson has been a SCPS school bus driver for two years. She drives for Ni River Middle.
“We congratulate all of the drivers who participated and thank the volunteers and sponsors who helped make this a successful event,” continued Clore.
Sponsors for this year’s Road-e-o included Blue Bird, Chick Fil A, Kingmor Supply, Sonny Merryman, Inc., and Topside Federal Credit Union. The School Bus Road-e-o host site rotates annually among the Region III localities.