Classified Spotlight:
John Quinene, Transportation Coordinator
Carlsbad Unified School District
Getting students to school safely and on time. It sounds straightforward, but transporting 235 students with special needs to schools all across the district each morning, and returning them home safely at the end of the day, can be a daunting task.
Gone are the days of yellow school buses, loaded with students, pulling up in front of school. The cost of bussing all–or most–students has become prohibitive. But it remains instructionally important, and legally required, for some students with special circumstances. Transportation for these students is an underfunded federal mandate, with skyrocketing costs. And it is logistically complicated.
“The students who qualify for transportation services – some of whom are homeless– are some of our most impacted students. We strive to transport them safely and efficiently while controlling costs,” says Executive Director of Pupil Services Tim Evanson. “We searched for someone who is motivated to build a comprehensive student transportation system to more effectively serve students. In October, John Quinene joined Carlsbad Unified as its first Transportation Coordinator.”
Mr. Quinene began his career as a bus driver for NCTD. He also gained experience in the private sector as a driver for a transportation company. Working behind the steering wheel was an excellent way for him to learn to navigate around the community. Next, as a dispatcher for the private company, his job became that of sending drivers to pick up and deliver students as needed. Through that experience he came to understand routing and scheduling – not just learning the best routes but also keeping abreast of the potential traffic issues, construction projects, and accidents that might upset the timetable for delivering a student to or from school.
Now, as Transportation Coordinator, Mr. Quinene sees his job as a daily challenging puzzle. He begins with the big picture: What are the daily transportation needs of the students in real time? Each has a different schedule, a different campus. Then he considers the students’ individual circumstances and different needs. One student uses a wheelchair, others require aides to travel with them to keep them safe. And then Mr.Quinene must account for the individual drivers–their work schedules, the size of their vehicles. A driver might need to take a high school student to Sage Creek High School by 8:15, and then pick up pre-K students to be delivered to Buena Vista Elementary.
And, always, Mr. Quinene is looking for cost-effective solutions.
“Perhaps a student is sick, or a vehicle has mechanical issues, or an accident closes a road,” notes Mr. Quinene. “How can I create a route that is the most efficient for the student and the driver? Problem solving is the key.”
Drawing on his vast knowledge of what it takes to transport students, he monitors all of the moving parts. Can we pair this student with another? Does the student travel with an aide? And, given a student population that requires stability and predictability, will these students be comfortable with a change in their regular routines?
Mr. Quinene often works at his computer, assessing the best routes and schedules for his drivers and students. But he likes to be out at the schools, greeting students as they arrive, and touching base with drivers.
“Being a driver can be stressful, and students can be unpredictable. I know the drivers and the dispatchers and have worked with them. We have good relationships,” he says. “I want my students and their families or guardians to have peace of mind knowing that they will be safely transported. And I love working for the school district. It's a great culture to work in, and very family-oriented.”
Mr. Quinene has two daughters, ages seven and five, and a two-year-old son.
As Interim Assistant Superintendent Suzanne O'Connell says, “Mr. Quinene is a creative self-starter with the attitude and knowledge to make transportation for students efficient and safe, every day. We are fortunate to have him on our team.”
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Carlsbad Unified School District
Email: cusd@carlsbadusd.net
Website: https://www.carlsbadusd.net
Location: 6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA, USA
Phone: 760-331-5000