taining a common mission. Developing that mission, she explained, means ensuring department leaders un- derstand where the operation is headed and why. It also requires a supportive superintendent, administration and school board. Relationships are central to that approach. Hill said transparency with the school board and strong rela- tionships both inside and outside the district create credibility and allow for more candid conversations about what transportation needs. Chris Farkas oversees HCPS transportation as the
deputy superintendent of operations. He said his re- lationship with Hill goes back to when he was a high school assistant principal and she was a magnet lead driver for his school. “What stuck out to me is the qualities that were
redeeming to her then are the same she has now,” he said. “She is a student-focused, student-advocate, driver- centered kind of leader.” Farkas said Hill would spend over an hour on the bus transporting these students home and would still go to the school district on a Saturday to help with bus orien- tation. “She’s literally that same person that’s going to go in
on a Saturday or Sunday to make sure kids’ needs are met,” he continued. “I’ve known her for a very long time and she’s wonderful. She has a very kind heart which is something that leads who she is.” Farkas said when he looks at how far Hill has come in her career, he is very proud of her accomplishments. He said they have witnessed five superintendents in their time at the district, yet Hill is able to adapt to different leadership styles and continue to provide a great quality service. Farkas noted that supporting transportation, from the administration perspective, is important as transporta- tion is the backbone of the operations side. A lot of the administrators at HCPS started as principals, or teachers and they realize that “the first person to see the kid is the bus driver,” he said. “The only meal a lot of our kids get is during cafeteria time. So, we’ve found [transportation is] the core of what we’re doing.” He added that the reason they support transportation
is because it’s supporting the students. Hill is also involved with councils and industry as-
sociations to continue to learn how other districts are addressing similar challenges. She is the president of the Florida Association of Pupil Transportation and serves
It’s Easy to Join Our E-mail List!
Get STN’s Digital Magazine, E-News and More.
Visit
stnonline.com/go/enews
60 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2026
eNews_1026_SV.indd 1 10/15/26 8:43 PM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78
