Ste. Genevieve County R-II School Board names Ken Jones  district’s first transportation director

STE. GENEVIIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve School District announced Wednesday, that the district’s board of education has selected Ken Jones as its first director of transportation.

He will be in charge of the district’s school bus operation, which it has taken over from Fallert Bus School Bus Service.

Last fall, Fallert representatives announced their decision to retire, preferably at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. After months of careful consideration, it was determined that the best course of action for the district would be to self manage transportation services. Learn more about the district’s decision to take on transportation services here:

Taking on Transportation_Dragons Digest_June 2024

Part of this transition included the creation of a Director of Transportation position, which would be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the transportation department, including managing personnel, coordinating routes, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and maintaining the district’s fleet of vehicles.

The board of education approved Jones for the director of transportation position at its June 18, 2024 meeting.

About Our New Director of Transportation

Jones has been a public school educator for 23 years, having spent his career with the Crystal City School District. He took his first position as a special education teacher and a coach in 2003. He served as the athletic director for nine years, the director of transportation for 10 years, and a special education teacher for 12  years.

He coached a variety of teams, including boys and girls cross country, girls basketball, varsity baseball, and track and field. Jones will take on the position of director of transportation for Ste. Genevieve County R-II this fall.

Jones has been a member of the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation and the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA). He has served as the Southeast Missouri Basketball representative for MSHSAA, and also served as the president of the Jefferson County Activities Association.

When thinking back on the accomplishments for which he is most proud to have played a part, Mr. Jones reflects on becoming the Crystal City School District’s first director of transportation. Prior to that role, the district had also outsourced its transportation services.

He received his associate’s degree from Jefferson College, and then earned his bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO). He holds certifications in special education, physical education and driver education. Jones is a graduate of Bourbon High School.

Jones is married to his wife of 25 years, Lindsay, and they have two daughters: Maebry and Makenna. Maebry is a fifth grade teacher and girls basketball coach at Hillsboro, and Makenna will start her freshman year at Jefferson College this fall.

Jones shared that he is incredibly thankful and excited for the opportunity to be part of the Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District, and is looking forward to becoming a part of our community.