Parkland School Division (PSD) is proud to announce the appointment of Gail Lewis as the new Director of Transportation Services, effective January 2, 2024.
With over 20 years of experience in student transportation, Ms. Lewis brings a deep understanding of operational excellence, safety, and community collaboration to her new role. As Director of Transportation Services, she will oversee the daily operations of PSD's Regional Transportation System, which safely transports close to 8,000 students across more than 19,000 kilometers every school day. Her responsibilities will include overseeing the regional transportation system for PSD, including managing contracts with independent contractors, ensuring safety standards, and leading initiatives to continually enhance service efficiency and reliability. The Director of Transportation Services reports directly to the Associate Superintendent of Corporate Supports & Services.
"Ms. Lewis is a seasoned professional whose extensive background in student transportation makes her invaluable to our leadership team," says Scott McFadyen, Associate Superintendent of Corporate Supports & Services. "Her experience, both on the ground as a bus driver and in management roles overseeing operations, positions her to lead with insight and with a strong commitment to safety and service excellence."
Ms. Lewis joined Parkland School Division in 2017 as a Transportation Supervisor. Before that, she spent 12 years with Aspen View Public School Schools in the Athabasca area. She has served in multiple capacities including bus driver, trainer, safety officer, and Division Manager. Her hands-on experience in all aspects of transportation and her collaborative approach to leadership will help PSD continue to deliver exceptional service to students, families, and communities.
Superintendent of Schools, Shauna Boyce, also extended her gratitude to retiring Director of Transportation, John Blood, for his years of service. "On behalf of Parkland School Division, I want to thank Mr. Blood for his exceptional leadership and dedication to student transportation. His efforts will have a lasting impact on the Division and we wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavors."
"I am excited to continue working with the incredible team within the PSD Transportation Department, as well as our dedicated contractors and bus drivers, in my new role as Director." stated Ms. Lewis. "Providing safe and reliable transportation for students is a responsibility I am deeply passionate about, and I'm excited to continue building on PSD's strong foundation."
