Traci LeMaire works as dispatcher and route specialist for the transportation department, where she is Staff Member of the Year. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Traci LeMaire has the honor as Staff Member of the Year for the transportation department with Madison City Schools.

LeMaire works as dispatcher and route specialist. “I handle bus routes, locate substitute drivers and handle the transportation for field trips and sporting events,” she said. The transportation office and bus terminal is located at 217 Westchester Road. Bob Jackson is her supervisor.

Within the past year, LeMaire has developed an organizational system that allowed her to know which buses and drivers that are available at any time. She also monitored “what trips were taking place daily so that I could assign resources.”

The most fulfilling angle to her job is managing “the balancing act between all the buses for routes, field trip and sports and making sure that I have enough drivers and buses for the day. When everything runs smoothly, it is rewarding,” LeMaire said.

One of the most demanding aspects in the transportation job “is finding sub drivers for regular drivers that are out sick or doing a trip,” she said. “We just don’t have enough help some days.”

LeMaire appreciates the consideration that school employees have shown her. “I will remember the kindness of principals and some of the staff at Discovery Middle School and Rainbow Elementary School,” she said. “They were so wonderful to me and my youngest son Joey during some very difficult times while I was there.”

LeMaire attended Texas School of Business in Houston, Texas to earn an administrative degree. Madison City Schools has been her sole place of employment. She previously worked at Discovery and Rainbow and now in the transportation office.

She has three sons. Joey, 16, is a junior at James Clemens High School. Austin, 19, works for Sagerider in Houston. Mitch, 25, is employed at TGIF in Charlotte, N.C.

Visit madisoncity.k12.al.us and click “Transportation” for detailed information about bus routes in Madison.