Familiar Face Preps for Last School Year

When Janie Jarrell started driving a bus for Forsyth County, the area was filled with wide open pastures, the population was 23,000 and the roads were often overrun with tractors. That was 35 years ago.

“It’s changed a lot,” says Janie. “I think the biggest change is we have a lot more traffic. It’s a lot harder to watch the road and watch the kids behind you, too,” she continues. 

Despite the population growth, Janie says the buses are actually less crowded than they once were.

“Years ago, we were overloaded. We had four of the little ones to a seat. I remember that very well,” she says.

With three and a half decades of driving under her belt, Janie is the county school district’s longest serving bus driver, and she has more memories than a scrapbook could hold.

“One time years ago, I forgot a stop. This little kindergartner sitting behind me said, ‘Miss Janie, is your brain turned off today?’  I remember that. The kindergartners are so precious to me, so open.” 

Janie says her favorite part of the job is getting to watch the kids grow up.

“The last route I was on nine years. I have a set of triplets on the route, and I can remember when they were pulled around in a wagon, and now they’re starting high school this year.” 

Janie says society has changed over the years, and along with it, our children.

“The tolerance levels are a whole lot different than they were. It’s not their fault. They’re not bad kids. They’re just different than what they were,” she says.

While the job, the kids, and Forsyth County have all undergone transformation, Janie’s heart remains constant. She's currently driving for Vickery Creek Elementary. Although she’s hoping to retire at the end of this school year, she struggles with the idea of making that final bus stop.

“I like the interaction with the kids. I like being with them. I enjoy talking with them. I just love it, and after so many years, it gets in your blood. I’m ready, but it’s hard to make that decision. It’s hard to quit.”

Transportation Director Gary Puetz says if Janie retires, she'll be missed.  

"Ms. Jarrell is a great driver and an even better person," he writes in an e-mail to Cumming Patch. "IF she retires at the end of this school year, she will do so knowing she has served the students and community of Forsyth County with honor and distinction. However, we hope to continue to work with her this year (and years to come)," he continued.