Wayne Sams is passionate about his job — especially when it comes to the safety of the children entrusted to his care.
Sams, a native of the Stoney Creek community, began his career with the Carter County School System 17 years ago as a bus driver.
“I drove for 12 years then came into the garage as the assistant manager,” Sams said.
In July, Sams took over as manager following the retirement of Jerry Nave, the previous manager.
“It was a pleasure working with Jerry for those five years,” Sams said.
Sams said he feels his experience working as a bus driver helps him as he manages the day-to-day operations of the bus garage. Besides, Sams said, he still occasionally gets behind the wheel to transport children to and from school whenever a regular driver is out.
“I had a driver tell me he appreciated that I still get out there and drive,” he said. “It’s nice for the boss to know what they go through.”
Having that knowledge of the things drivers face every day helps Sams operate the department and also gives him insight into things which can be improved.
Since taking over as bus garage manager, Sams has implemented some new policies, including daily safety checks conducted by the drivers before each morning and afternoon run and then documented through a safety log check sheet.
Safety is something that Sams takes very seriously, and it’s something he stresses to all of his drivers and mechanics.
“The parents are entrusting me and that driver to make sure we get that child to school and then back home safely,” Sams said.
In addition to being entrusted with the safety of the children on their route, bus drivers must also remember who they represent, Sams said.
“That driver represents the school as much as anybody else,” Sams said. “He is the first person that child sees in the morning and the last person that child sees when they go home.”