Giles Brown’s Hands-On Leadership Earns Him OASBO Transportation Director of the Year Award
Giles Brown, Transportation Director at Clearview Local Schools, has been recognized as the 2024 Transportation Director of the Year by the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO). This prestigious award reflects his dedication, leadership, and tireless work to ensure the district’s transportation needs are met despite significant challenges, including a nationwide bus driver shortage.
Clearview Local Schools, one of the Ohio Schools Council’s most active members, has benefited greatly from its involvement with OSC’s programs, allowing Giles and his team to navigate the complexities of transportation with ease. “OSC does everything,” says Giles. “If it wasn’t for them, I would not be able to get on that bus for four hours each day.”
Giles’s role goes beyond directing; he embodies the spirit of “all hands on deck.” For the past decade, he has managed every aspect of Clearview’s transportation system, from overseeing routes to maintaining the fleet of 12 buses that transport 671 K-8 students. His daily schedule is grueling, starting at 5 a.m. and finishing at 5 p.m. In addition to his administrative duties, Giles spends four hours a day driving routes and serves as one of three part-time mechanics, often handling repairs himself. “It’s hard to be the boss if you’ve never done the job,” he says, illustrating his hands-on approach.
Clearview’s transportation department has grown under Giles’s leadership, with a new bus garage built in 2020, improved operational efficiency, and his favorite part of the job—connecting with the kindergarten students he transports daily. He’s known for keeping the “best candy” to give to the young riders, a small but meaningful way he builds rapport with the children in his care.
Through its partnership with OSC, Clearview has access to a wide array of services, from pre-bid school buses to discounted routing software like Transfinder. This support has enabled Giles to implement 3-5 contingency plans to ensure operations run smoothly, even when faced with driver shortages or sudden absences.
The OSC’s Transportation Supervisors Network has been particularly valuable to Giles, allowing him to connect with peers and gain insights despite the demanding nature of his role. “If the OSC network meetings weren’t held virtually, I wouldn’t be able to attend—we just have too much going on here. It’s so great that I can tune in from anywhere,” he notes.
Giles credits his drivers as the heart of the operation: “We have the best drivers on the road,” he says. And with the help of the Ohio Schools Council, he’s been able to create a robust transportation system that keeps Clearview Local Schools moving forward.
