PHARR, Texas – The coming school year is full of changes and with classes happening online, the role for bus drivers at PSJA ISD will be different this year.
“Bus drivers will be helping us tremendously by either going to communities where we have densely populated communities with no access to internet,” explained Lauro Davalos, assistant superintendent for technology during a Zoom interview.
“All 119 school buses have been equipped with WiFi connection to provide services for those that need it. Our bus drivers are gearing up to provide specific routes and stops across the Tri-City family to provide WiFi,” said Nick Martinez, chief operations manager for PSJA ISD.
It is an effort that is requiring all hands to be on deck. Martinez says the bus drivers will be attending a transportation academy in order to get familiar with the new system and operations they will be overseeing.
They will also be assisting with meal distributions five days a week.
“We’re going to be relying on the transportation team which do an amazing job to be not able to park and provide internet service but also be utilizing different capacities to be able to supply items that we need to our community,” Davalos said.
Over the last nine years the PSJA ISD transportation department has been recognized nationally for their innovative efforts.