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Smooth behind the wheel

by BRIAN WALKER/bwalker@cdapress.com
| August 21, 2014 9:00 PM

RATHDRUM - School bus driver Becky Craig-Johnson has been on cruise control this summer at competitions.

The driver for the Lakeland Joint School District won a regional contest in Rathdrum, the state contest in Kuna and placed 18th at the recent National School Transportation Association's 44th annual North American competition at Charleston, S.C., featuring drivers from across the country and Canada.

"I guess I have a knack for it," said Craig-Johnson, who has been driving for Lakeland for eight years.

At the contests, participants take two written tests and a driving test that includes several categories ranging from parallel parking to railroad crossing simulations.

At the state contest, Craig-Johnson, driving a conventional bus (in which the tire is in front of the service door), won three trophies. The awards were for:

* Most overall points in all divisions that also included transit (flat-nosed) and privately-operated buses

* Most points in the public/conventional category

* Most points in conventional for both public and private.

She won a $100 Visa card for having the most overall points and a $50 card for the most points in the conventional category.

Craig-Johnson also won the regional and state contests in 2008. She placed 14th at the international contest that year.

Lakeland drivers have won the state contest five times during the past eight years. Other recent state winners from Lakeland included Susie Moore (2006), Ginger Bateman (2007) and Roger Friesen (2009).

"As a team, Lakeland School District's transportation department prides itself on its excellent safety record as well as its team- and family-type atmosphere that keeps each of them doing their best at all times," said Darrell Rickard, Lakeland's transportation supervisor. "Becky is a prime example of that spirit."

Rickard said Craig-Johnson has always been safety conscious and "meticulous" when it comes to policies and procedures.

"That and the fact that she cares very much about the children she transports makes Becky an outstanding bus driver and a shoo-in for any school bus safety competition," Rickard said.

Craig-Johnson didn't get paid to participate in the events or practice and study for the contests. Her travel, lodging and meals to the state contest were funded by the school district, then refunded at 85 percent by the state.

All of her expenses to the international contest were funded by the Idaho Association of Pupil Transportation.

Craig-Johnson drives a small bus for students with special needs during the school year, making her wins driving larger buses in the contests even more impressive. She also transports sports teams.

"I love the kids and I enjoy driving," she said. "The best part of being a bus driver for me is to start out the day right for all my students. As a bus driver, we set the tone for how a child's day at school can be, so I like to leave them feeling important, uplifted and happy. It truly is a rewarding job."