How a Culture of Learning Strengthens Kerrville ISD’s Transportation Team

Growing into the Role

Ken Noles brought 16 years of experience as a teacher and campus administrator to Kerrville ISD when he accepted an assistant principal position. Given his background, Ken was a little surprised when the assistant superintendent reached out in 2024 and asked whether he would consider transitioning into the role of transportation director.

After all, Ken had never coordinated bus routes, overseen fleet maintenance, or managed a transportation budget.

"I told him I'd never even driven a bus," recalled Ken. "He said, 'That's okay. We know you'll learn everything you need to know to ensure our students’ safety and well-being.’”

Learning is exactly what Ken's been doing since accepting the job. In fact, he took advantage of a 2025 Fund Risk Management Education grant to invest in specialized, quality training delivered by reputable vendors.

Targeted Training for Specialized Roles

The grant program was a product of the Fund's commitment to empowering members to manage risk and succeed together. Under the program, the Fund distributed approximately $100,000 among qualifying members.

"As someone who's new to transportation, I'm always looking for opportunities to grow,” said Ken. “With budgets tight everywhere, the timing of this grant could not have been better."

Ken applied grant funds toward leadership track courses through the Texas Association of Pupil Transportation (TAPT). The courses covered essentials such as seeing the big picture, leading through change, understanding human behavior, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Ken also wants his team to develop their skillset. The transportation coordinator used grant funds on routing and personnel management training. Courses offered by the Texas Association for School Bus Technicians empowered Kerrville ISD mechanics to keep pace with the latest in-vehicle safety features.

And what about the district’s bus drivers? After all, they play a critical role in delivering Texas' most precious cargo to school and back home safely every day. They participated in the TAPT’s highly respected Driver Trainer Academy, but in a slightly unconventional way.

Instead of sending drivers to Austin, Ken asked TAPT to bring the training to Kerrville. In the "stronger together" spirit of risk pooling, he invited surrounding districts to participate.

Community members who drove down the main drag couldn’t miss the entire Kerrville ISD fleet lined up in the Antler Stadium parking lot as expert trainers led drivers through maneuvers. The scene made a strong statement about the district’s commitment to continuous improvement.

A Culture of Learning

For Ken, continuous improvement includes leveraging the experience of seasoned drivers in an environment of continuous turnover. Driver Trainer Academy equipped several long-time employees to help onboard new hires.

“Ultimately, the training I received because of this grant made me a better director and made everyone on my team better," added Ken.

From mechanics mastering new technology to drivers gaining the skills to mentor others, Kerrville ISD’s transportation staff is growing together and fostering a culture of learning that strengthens the district. And for Ken, what began as an unexpected career pivot has grown into a mission to build a safer, stronger Kerrville ISD.

The Benefits of Membership

The Fund serves as the go-to resource for school risk management expertise More than 1,000 Texas public education entities look the Fund as their go-to resource for school risk management expertise. Members benefit from Fund training services in formats that meet their unique needs, including Fund Members’ Conference 2026 and a suite of online, interactive courses on topics that matter, including compliance.