By Anna Skinner
Jim White has served as transportation director for Hamilton Southeastern Schools for 14 years. On Jan. 1, he will retire.
“I won’t miss the 12 to 13 hours a day. I will miss the people,” White said. “Because I have dealt with a whole lot of people, whether that be parents or staff, we have great staff here at HSE, so that I’ll miss. And the kids.”
During his 14 years, White saw a lot of growth within the district. When he started, there were 130 buses. Now, there are 305.
“We have more than doubled the student population,” he said. “I held the post through all of that, that growth and all the redistricting and growing pains we had to endure. It’s been a challenge every day.”
Prior to becoming transportation director, White served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. He was able to transfer that knowledge to supervising transportation.
“It really doesn’t matter whether it’s airplanes, buses, trains or cars, safety is paramount in any kind of transportation,” he said. “It’s just a matter of converting airplanes to buses and air crews to drivers.”
As far as for what’s next, White will spend a month in Florida to adapt to his retirement. He said figuring out how to spend his time will be the hardest part of the transition.
“When we come back, I might substitute drive (a bus) for (a district) or give evaluations,” he said. “Districts could use that around here. Nobody has enough drivers to begin with, so I might be able to offer my services, whether here (at HSE) or some other school district.”
Zach McKinney will replace White as transportation director.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everybody I’ve dealt with. I’ll miss that interaction with the people,” White said. “I appreciate everybody’s cooperation each and every year I’ve been in this and wish them all the best.”
