Indy Standard

Welcome to IPS: Employee Spotlight. In this series, we highlight the dedicated individuals who make a significant impact on our district. In an engaging question-and-answer session, Detra Taylor, Director of Transportation, discusses her journey, department operations, and future plans.

Taylor began her career in transportation in 2009 as an operations supervisor. She then advanced to operations manager and has served as director for the past four years.

Q: How has your job evolved since you started?

A: "We are constantly thinking of new ways to optimize routes to help with the length and cost of our daily routes. We have outsourced our transportation department and routing to First Student. In years past, IPS had our own drivers supporting a quarter of our daily routes. IPS has also started a partnership with IndyGo to provide transportation services to some of our recommended high school students. Changes to some school bus transportation laws in Indiana have allowed us to use alternative transportation for our most fragile students, including McKinney Vento and special needs students. Previously, all students had to be transported in a yellow school bus. Additionally, GPS systems and applications now allow parents to access student tracking information for IPS routes."

Q: Could you provide a glimpse into the daily operations of the Transportation Department?

A: "We currently provide transportation for 64 school buildings daily. The transportation department has two full-time routers and three Logistics Specialists who support the daily routing. We also have an Operations Manager and a Special Needs Manager who address any concerns that arise during routes. We work with all schools and the Unified Service team to support any questions regarding students’ transportation needs."

Q: How do you ensure the safe transportation of our students?

A: "The transportation team and I attend training throughout the United States, such as TSD and STN, to network with other school districts and learn about successful practices in school bus transportation. We bring many of these resources back to share with First Student. We work with First Student to conduct quarterly training on various topics, including de-escalation, the use of student restraint systems, and checking for students after routes. Walk zone safety is also a significant concern for us as a district. My team and I assess areas to place crossing guards where needed. We also address issues such as the need for more signage or refreshed paint in walk zones by contacting the Mayor’s Action Line. Additionally, we have added links on the district’s webpage under 'Let’s Talk' for families and schools to report concerns regarding bus stops, IndyGo concerns, and crossing guards."

Q: What makes each day rewarding?

A: "The rewards for our department include attending case conferences with families who express gratitude for the support our bus teams provide. I have also implemented a monthly survey for transportation issues and successes. The feedback I receive lets me know if the IPS staff and First Student staff are supporting our families and schools as needed. Positive feedback truly warms my heart."

Q: How does your department contribute to overall student experience and success?

A: "Transportation is an extremely important part of supporting academic, athletic, extracurricular programs, and educational field trips that foster personal and academic growth for IPS students."

Q: Any upcoming initiatives or improvements planned for the Transportation Department?

A: "We are currently working with First Student on a timeline to onboard our 10 electric school buses which were awarded through an EPA grant at the end of the 2023-2024 school year."