Feedback Friday
 Welcome to week three of our bus driver profiles. This week we visit with one of our senior drivers, Leona Roling. We say “senior” only as a reflection of years of service to our district, not as a statement on her age. Leona has dedicated her time to the kids of Western Dubuque for 43 years! She started in August of 1974 (Transportation Supervisor, Erinie Bolibaugh, was in 8th grade at the time!). Leona is one of two current drivers that started that year; Ryck Mescher being the other. Both have served the district with distinction and continue going strong!
Leona started driving when her husband, Al, convinced her to help on his route when he was busy on the farm. Al himself drove for over 35 years before passing in 2008. Leona says they broke her in right by driving a route all the way up to Balltown, Buena Vista and back through Bankston Park. They didn’t have radios back then. There was no way to contact someone if you were having problems. She remembers the boss telling them to “just shift it down and plow on thru! You’ll make it.” Leona says, "We never cancelled school. Most of the kids rode the bus and the bus never had a problem. Very few kids drove themselves. That and the technology over the years are probably the biggest changes. Today all the buses are automatic, have radios, gps, automatic door openners…."
Leona says the driving gives her a reason to get up and go in the morning. She looks forward to seeing the kids and according to the bus paraprofessional, the kids really miss her when she’s not there. She hates to miss a day.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a school bus driver for the Western Dubuque Community School District, contact Ernie Bolibaugh at 563-744-3885 x 6051.
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