R
ooted in a deep historical background sits the city of Tampa, Florida. Despite being in the Sunshine State, known for Disney World, beautiful beaches and alligators, (despite all
attempts, I didn’t see one) Tampa boosts its own culture. Encompassed by Hillsborough County—its 1,000 square miles is larger than the state of Rhode Island—Tampa prides itself on rich history and community. History is also a big part Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS). Hillsborough High School’s current red- brick campus, built in 1928, remains one of Tampa’s most distinctive historic buildings and was designed to ac- commodate more than 2,000 students. A few miles away in Ybor City, the Columbia Restaurant offers another connection to Tampa’s past. The Hernandez-Gonzmart family opened the restaurant in 1905 after the original Columbia Saloon debuted two years earlier. The land- mark has since expanded to encompass an entire city block while remaining family owned, (the 1905 salad is a must-try if you’re in the area.) Together, these landmarks reflect a community where history remains highly visible, a fitting backdrop for a
school district whose transportation leader has similarly deep roots in the area. Laura Hill, the School Transportation News 2026
Transportation Director of the Year, serves as the general manager of transportation for HCPS, a district that she knows well. She rode district school buses as a child, met her high school sweetheart there, and later watched her daughter graduate from the same school system. Hill, now a grandmother or “mimi” of two, worked
her way through the district and now oversees the safe transportation of “our babies,” as she says. Her office is one block from her childhood home. Described by many as someone with a big heart, she is focused on the students and devotes her career to ensure safety, training and advocating for transportation needs. After graduating from high school, she briefly worked
for a small private company and knew she had a differ- ent calling. Her husband, Daniel, worked for the school district as a mechanic in 2001—he’s now the assistant supervisor—and encouraged her to take on a role in the school system, while she attended college for her teaching credentials. The lure of summers off with her daughter
CONGRATULATIONS LAURA HILL
Gatekeeper is honored to support Laura Hill and the Hillsborough transportation
family with safety and security on their white fleet.
56 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2026
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