Photo Courtesy Of Scott Nairne
San Luis Obispo High School’s principal Leslie O’Connor has recently become a chauffeur for students in need of transportation assistance during the school week. There are currently 134 students working on campus. Some of these students need rides. Expressions set out to to ask O’Connor about the recent commitment he added to his job description.
Expressions: How long have you been driving students around?
SLOHS Principal O’Connor: Started this week, [first week of February, 2021], with our ninth grade recovery academy on campus.
Expressions: How long does your daily route take?
O’Connor: Mrs. Mamo, [Assistant Principal at SLOHS], is also acting as a chauffeur, so we set off at 7:55a.m. each morning and return to campus at approx 8:55a.m. We leave again at 2:40-ish and get back around 3:20-ish….it depends on the number of students that need picking up and dropping off; usually six to ten students, but since we can only take three to four students per trip, you can understand the running of routes we do.
Expressions: What specific measures are required for you to be driving these students?
O’Connor: We are H-6 cleared, have a good driving record, and we follow safety protocols related to COVID. Masks are worn, I check temps before students enter each time, we clean seats, and the inside of the vans post trips.
Expressions: Does this commitment take you away from other activities?
O’Connor: Absolutely, but someone has to step up to fill the void and we are here for students first and foremost; sometimes you have to lead from the front. Plus, I get to know the students.
Expressions: Do you get paid extra to take on this new commitment?
O’Connor: Sadly, no. We have a job description that includes the line, ‘duties as assigned,’ which basically means we do whatever and can be told to do whatever by everyone.
Though Mamo and O’Connor are the ones to drive these students, others are also involved in this daily transportation.
“Mrs. Mamo needs a big shout out as well because she is my partner in crime on this one. Mrs. Miller and Mr. Meinert, [two other Assistant Principal’s at SLOHS], route us and act as our behind the scene operators. If the whole principal gig doesn’t work out for us we may start our own company and take over Uber or something like that,” said O’Connor.
So, take this moment to appreciate all that the SLOHS leadership does for the students, and as well, don’t forget to keep an eye out for the new up and coming transportation company ran by the SLOHS principals.
