Manatee school district leaders thank bus drivers the last day of the school year

Although the wave off tradition has occured since 2015, this is Heather Felton's first time. She said the department of transportation is a hidden backbone of the school district and it is important to show appreciation for them and had a lot of fun.

Melanie Johnson, assistant director of transportation, Derek Jensen, deputy superintendent of instruction, school board member Charlie Kennedy and interim superintendent Kevin Chapman are eager to wish the bus drivers a good last day of school.

School board members Cindy Spray and Heather Felton wave off the bus drivers along with interim superintendent Kevin Chapman. Chapman has been to the wave off 14 times while this is Felton's first time.

The district leadership have waved off bus drivers twice a year, the first and last day of school, since 2015. Communications director Mike Barber has been to 22 wave outs and wasn't sure if the tradition would last but is glad it has.

Paul Gansemer, executive director of adult, career and technical education waves alongside school board members Richard Tatem and Chad Choate. Tatem went on a bus ride two days prior and was impressed by the "tight ship" they run.

School board members Heather Felton and Charlie Kennedy had a "lightsaber battle" of sorts. Felton says she used to have battles with her now 23-year-old son Indigo when he was in high school. She says he knew she was competitive and not scared to beat him in a battle.

Bus driver Don Jones began driving a school bus for Manatee County in October after experience driving a 36 foot box truck. His wife Leslie Jones works as a fourth grade teacher at Stewart Elementary School so he enjoys that they have the same time off in the summer.

Melanie Johnson, assistant director of transportation and Jamie Warrington, director of transportation, wave their drivers into the last day of the 2024-2025 school year.

The Manatee County School Board members Heather Felton, Charlie Kennedy, Cindy Spray, Richard Tatem and Chad Choate were among the wavers before school on Thursday. Kennedy says it is important to cheer for them as much as possible to show they have not forgotten about them and appreciate their work.

School board member Cindy Spray and Melanie Johnson, assistant director of transportation were there bright and early to wave off the bus drivers. Spray says its important to recognize the transportation team as they are the first school employees children see in the morning and the last they see in the evening.

Tom Hohman worked as a route manager at Orkin Pest Control before becoming a bus driver last year. He says it was nice to see the district leadership wave them off and wishes he was with them doing the same but has a job to do.

Christina Britton, executive director of human resources, Sharon Scarbrough, executive director of secondary schools and Stephanie Callaway, executive director of elementary schools are some of the first wavers.

School board member Charlie Kennedy and communications director Mike Barber give a wave to a bus driver as they drive away to complete their morning route.

Bus attendant Joyce Gavin began working for Manatee Schools in February 2024 and says she loves to see the kids dress up for events like picture day and graduation. Bus driver Shawna Salvador has been in the transportation department for 5 years and says she wakes up at 4:30 a.m. every day and is to her bus by 6 a.m. Her favorite part of the job is the kids.

School District of Manatee County board members, interim superintendent Kevin Chapman and district administrators gather at 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, the last day of school, to wave off the buses.

Interim superintendent Kevin Chapman and school board member Cindy Spray are among the early risers to wave off the bus drivers. Spray says she hates the alarm clock but loves the event and showing her appreciation for the transportation staff.

Director of transportation Jamie Warrington put the message "We Made It! Finish strong!" to encourage the drivers and attendants on their last day. He says he looked up "happy dance" online to include on the sign.

Kevin Chapman has been to 14 wave offs for the bus drivers during his time at Manatee Schools. He has worked as chief of staff for 6 years which directly reported to the superintendent. He is the current interim superintendent while the district plans and searches for a permanent replacement.

School board member Chad Choate, Omar Edwards, associate director of strategic planning initiatives and Jamie Warrington, director of transportation wave to bus drivers with light up glow sticks.