Behind the Scenes with Craig Manderville 

Since the flooding on June 22, an extraordinary amount of work has taken place across the Oneida City School District. While some of that work has been visible, much of it has occurred quietly, behind the scenes and outside the public eye. That unseen effort has been critical to our ability to move forward, and it is important for our community to understand just how much coordination, problem-solving, and dedication it took to reach this point.

One of the departments most significantly impacted by the flooding and subsequent facility disruptions was Transportation. We spoke with Transportation Supervisor Craig Manderville to gain insight into how his team was affected and how they rose to the challenge.

The Role of Transportation in Oneida CSD

The Transportation Department plays a vital role in the daily operation of the school district. Its focus is always on safety, efficiency, and ensuring that every student arrives at school ready to learn. This includes planning and adjusting routes, maintaining and inspecting buses, training drivers and monitors, and maintaining constant communication with schools and families.

What Goes Into a Typical School Day?

A normal workday for the Transportation Department begins around 4:45 a.m. and doesn’t end until the last athletic or extracurricular trip returns in the evening. Throughout the day, staff monitor weather and traffic conditions, ensure buses are road-ready, confirm routes are fully staffed, and address student needs—everything from behavior concerns to returning lost items. The department also coordinates transportation for hundreds of educational and athletic trips each year.

In addition, transportation operations must remain in compliance with numerous federal, state, and local agencies, including the FTA, FMCSA, NHTSA, NYSDOT, NYSED, and NYSDMV. With so many moving parts, last-minute changes are not uncommon.

Impact of Flooding and Facility Disruptions

The flooding created immediate and ongoing challenges. With the district network down for several months, the department relied heavily on mobile hotspots and personal cell phones to access information and communicate. Routes had to be redesigned and schedules adjusted within extremely tight timeframes, all while continuing daily operations.

Route Changes and Logistical Challenges

One significant adjustment involved adding additional morning and afternoon routes for middle school students, which reduced availability for athletic and field trips. Because drivers were already committed to routes for most of the day, the district partnered with neighboring school districts to provide transportation for extracurricular activities.

The department also manages seven contracted routes with BOCES, transporting students from multiple districts to programs ranging from Rome to Canastota between morning and afternoon routes. Meeting this commitment required creative problem-solving.

For example, CTE courses at MO BOCES for juniors end at 1:58 p.m. In previous years, students were shuttled back to the high school to catch their afternoon buses. This year, however, the high school dismissal time is 11:09 a.m., and drivers are already beginning elementary routes. To solve this, contracted buses that were already delivering students to BOCES were utilized to transport those students home.

Impact on Staff

Drivers and bus monitors have taken on longer workdays, with fewer breaks between runs. Many have stepped up to cover additional responsibilities and adjust their schedules as needed, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting students and maintaining reliable transportation services during this time.

Mechanics are also seeing increased demands. New York State DOT regulations require buses to be serviced every 45 days or 1,500 miles, whichever comes first. Because buses travel more miles each day, maintenance is required more frequently.

The office team, consisting of Head Bus Driver Geri Cook, Substitute Dispatcher Carm Endemann, and 19A trainer Joe Currois, spends much of their day scheduling and rescheduling routes. All middle school and high school routes were reworked at the start of the school year, and preparations are already underway for mid-year changes. Drivers are dry-running routes for accuracy, parent notifications are being prepared, and mid-day staffing adjustments have increased to accommodate personal appointments and coverage needs.

Athletics presented additional challenges, as many varsity and junior varsity practices and games are held off campus and outside the district. The department created a sports practice shuttle to transport student-athletes to non-district venues, with locations and schedules changing weekly. Transportation is also scheduled for all home games, which are currently hosted at other districts’ facilities.

Commitment to Student Safety

Throughout every adjustment, student safety remained the top priority. Each new or modified route was driven in advance to ensure all stops were safe and appropriate. Safety was never compromised, even amid constant change.

Communication and Collaboration

Frequent communication was essential. The department used phone calls, ParentSquare, and email to notify families, schools, and staff as quickly as possible, even when changes occurred at the last minute.

Transportation worked closely with district administration, building principals, and the athletic department, holding regular check-ins to align schedules and ensure smooth coordination across departments.

Flexibility, Teamwork, and Resilience

Flexibility and quick decision-making were critical. Routes shifted, drivers stepped into unfamiliar roles, and decisions were often made in real time—even while buses were already on the road. Staff supported one another by sharing information, covering additional routes, and working collaboratively through long and demanding days.

Workdays started earlier, ended later, and required constant adjustments. Fuel usage increased, maintenance scheduling became more frequent, and staff remained on standby throughout the day to respond to changes.

Looking Back

When reflecting on the experience, Mr. Manderville expressed pride in his team’s resilience and commitment.

“Despite constant changes, we kept students safe and on time. That’s a testament to their dedication.”

A Message to the Community

Transportation is far more than simply driving a bus. It involves detailed planning, problem-solving, adapting under pressure, ongoing training, and effective communication—all centered on the care and safety of students.

To families, students, and staff, Mr. Manderville shared this message:

“Thank you for your patience and understanding. Your support helped us navigate a challenging time. We’re committed to serving our students and community with safety and care, no matter what comes our way.”