As Beekman prepared to retire in 2023, he brought Hill into meetings and
decision-making processes to help prepare her for leadership. “Her focus has always been that she puts the drivers and the students first,” Beek- man said. That student-first focus is especially evident in Hill’s advocacy for students with
disabilities. Beekman said she has emphasized quickly placing students requir- ing specialized transportation onto buses rather than allowing requests to linger for days or weeks. Her roots in Hillsborough also help her understand the dif- ferent neighborhoods and communities the department serves, he added, while
long-standing local relation- ships can help resolve issues quickly.
Beginning her own trans-
portation career as a magnet school bus driver helped shape the leadership style she uses today, Hill added. Longer magnet routes gave her time to build relationships with stu- dents, while even a 20-minute ride could offer an opportu- nity to learn about a child’s day. Those early experiences behind the wheel remain connected to the decisions she makes as director. In February, nearly four
years into her director of trans- portation role, Hill is expecting to oversee an operation that continues to evolve amid enrollment shifts, changing neighborhood demograph- ics, workforce demands and rapidly advancing technology. Yet the foundation remains traditional: Train people well. Build relationships. Be trans- parent. Listen to experienced employees. Keep learning from other districts. And remember who is riding the bus. Away from work, Hill hikes,
gardens and raises monarch butterflies. But HCPS remains home away from home. That sense of place is difficult to separate from her leadership. She grew up near the trans- portation office. She drove students through the same community. Today, she is responsible for helping move thousands of children safely through it. For Hill, leading HCPS trans-
portation is not simply about managing one of the state’s largest operations. It’s taking care of home and upholding its history. ●
70 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2026
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