“When we reopened, I went right to the math and used that data to help determine our transportation plan. One of the things that benefitted me was delivering lunches during COVID so I could learn the district and where things were. Taking a 66-person bus and putting eight kids on it is a crazy concept. “One of the things that I do well is work under pressure. How did that impact your early days on the job? You started shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. If someone is empowered to do something, they also know they are accountable for their actions.” Now, how do I take that information and use it? Also, with empowerment comes accountability. “I probably learn more from my staff than they learn from me. A lot of it is, ‘How do I support the staff so that we can provide safe transportation for students and staff every day.’ The biggest thing with the staff here is that a lot of them have been here quite a while, so they know what they are doing. “My management style is more of an empowerment style. … There is a lot that goes into it and being able to help pull that all together and provide safe transportation for students each day is very rewarding.” “I would say the thing that I like most about it is that there are so many facets to it that go into bringing students to school safely every day. What do you like the most about your job? His responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Laffoon recently took some time to talk about his job and the role that the transportation department plays in the district. He and his wife Kathleen, a school counselor in Moravia, have two young sons. Laffoon is a World War II history buff who enjoys restoring cars and trucks.
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The transportation department is made up of more than 30 bus drivers and monitors, a mechanic and administrative assistant who are focused on making sure each WCSD student arrives safely at school and home each day. 18, 2020, less than a month before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and has been learning on the job ever since.Ī native of Woodstock, Vermont and Alfred University graduate, Laffoon takes great pride in his department and its dedicated employees. Laffoon was hired and started his new position on Feb.
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Staff Spotlight: Transportation Supervisor D'Allah Laffoonĭ’Allah “D” Laffoon’s began working as a substitute bus driver for the Waterloo Central School District in 2013 and liked the job so much that he applied to be the district’s transportation supervisor when the position opened up in late 2019.