Henry County Schools in Georgia started the new school year with a brand-new building for its transportation team. 

Previously, all of the district's 325 buses operated out of one building, where they have been for over 45 years. The building remains as the East facility. 

Now, the new West facility boasts 32,000 square feet, and is nearly double the size of the existing facility. It serves 21 schools for general education buses and all 53 schools and programs for special education buses with

New Facility Features

• Automated bus wash.

• Propane, diesel, and unleaded fueling.

• A school bus training course.

• A fully functioning maintenance shop.

• Meeting/training room with a capacity of about 200.

• Office space for operations staff.

The new building was prompted by growth in student enrollment and an expanding school bus fleet. "The old facility was stretched beyond capacity, and we needed room to properly serve a growing community while supporting staff and buses more effectively," said Jennifer McDay, director of transportation services (west operations).

Through the new building, the team gains:

• Increased capacity for bus parking and maintenance, which reduces downtime, reduces local traffic, and keeps routes running on schedule.

• Expanded training and meeting space (new training/meeting room with a capacity of 222), allowing for more professional development and team collaboration. This will provide an opportunity to bring drivers in more with a focus on student safety.

• Improved technology and shop space for preventative maintenance and safety inspections.

• Ability to operate more efficiently with routes spread across facilities, reducing deadhead miles and saving fuel.

Funding for the project was secured through the district's E-SPLOST (Education Special Local Option Sales Tax).

Significance of the Building Addition

This new facility is more than just a building — it’s an investment in the people who keep our students safe every day," said Chris McLeod, director of transportation services - east operations. "For our drivers, mechanics, and staff, it represents pride, efficiency, and the district and community’s commitment to supporting the critical role transportation plays in student success. This expansion reflects a long-term commitment to student safety and operational excellence. The facility sets us up not just for today’s needs, but for the future of Henry County Schools."

McLeod said the new facility required close collaboration between transportation, operations, and district leadership to design a space that balanced current needs with future growth. "Patience and flexibility were key," he said. "Construction and planning bring challenges, but keeping the focus on the end goal helped."

For others interested in expanding their facilities, Executive Director Cliff Shearouse advises involving frontline staff in the planning stages. "Drivers, mechanics, and routers provide practical insight that makes the space truly functional," he said. "Get it right the first time. Realistically, a transportation department will only have the opportunity for a multi-million dollar expansion of this size every couple of decades or so, depending on growth. Really be methodical in your planning of what you need and what you may need in the future."

See inside the new building and the team's move-in in this video they shared on Facebook:

The West Facility is managed by Director Jennifer McDay, and the East Facility is managed by Director Chris McLeod. Cliff Shearouse is the executive director of Henry County Schools' transportation services.

District Driver Awards

For the first time, the district's transportation services department also named a Monitor and Driver of the Year, who were honored at the Beginning of the Year meeting on July 25, 2025.

• 2024-2025 Monitor of the Year: Samuel Skinner 

• 2024-2025 Driver of the Year: Daniel Carthan