Board members get on the bus | Children

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The wheels on the bus go round and round and this week three Brunswick County Board of Education members will go with them as they ride along to celebrate Love the Bus 2013.

Love the Bus is an annual campaign of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to highlight school bus safety and the dedicated men and women that keep fleets rolling from the mountains to the coast.

Brunswick County Board of Education members jumped at the chance to experience firsthand what 7,200 students experience everyday…a ride to or from school. 

Chairman Charlie Miller will ride Southport Elementary bus #314 driven by Sharon Wiles Wednesday afternoon. 

Vice-Chairman Bud Thorsen opted for a Wednesday morning route and will join Gladys Frink on Union Elementary bus #309. 

Shallotte Middle bus #324 driven by Tamara Hill will be accompanied by Board member Catherine Cooke Thursday afternoon. 

Riding a bus route is not the first hands-on experience of the Board this school year.  In November they experienced classroom life while shadowing teachers for the day as part of the first annual Education Engagement Project.  These experiences provide Board members a unique perspective to consider as they make important decisions for the district. 

For a closer look at transportation services in Brunswick County check out Superintendent Edward Pruden’s monthly video message.  This month he interviews Transportation Director Bobby Taylor about the program and introduces viewers to Buster, a talking school bus that helps teach elementary students about bus safety.