Chris Kuhn, assistant superintendent of fiancé and operations, added that Highley does a great job making sure that each bus is ready to go each day. “His state inspections pass with flying colors,” Kuhn said. “Kyle also has a great rapport with everyone in the transportation department and central office. He is always polite and willing to help anyone out regardless of time of day or day of week. He is on call 24/7 and responds and helps when- ever there is an issue. Kyle is instrumental in future planning and purchasing for the transportation department. He brings good ideas and suggestions. He is also eager to learn and participates in trainings that are offered.” Highley added that he has taken actions to help combat some of the challenges facing maintenance operations, such as the me- chanic shortage and supply chain disruptions. For the mechanic shortage, he said he has helped with the local career school to open the district’s doors to students who want to learn more


Daniel Loza


Heavy Duty Mechanic/Service Coordinator Jurupa Unified School District, California


Number of Vehicles Maintained: 76 school buses, 192 district vehicles Number of Maintenance Staff: 5


Less than five years ago, Daniel Loza, 22, was a graduate of Jurupa Valley High School. He now leads the JUSD transporta- tion department as a heavy-duty mechanic/service coordinator. Loza started as a substitute mechanic in March 2019 as he was completing his studies at University Technical Institute to become a heavy-duty diesel technician. Within three months, the school district hired him as a full-time, light-duty mechanic. He has been promoted several times, currently serving as the lead to a five-member team. “The best part of my job is working on the same buses that


took me to and from school,” he said. “These buses now transport a younger generation. Having a great team in transportation gives me certainty that students are transported safely.” He shares his story to the district’s career Technical Education


Students, as he was once in their shoes. “I grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same schools, speak Spanish, and took the same mechanics, engineering, agriculture and construction classes they are now,” he said. “JUSD teachers and CTE course- work provided skills that I use on the job every day. It is important to be a role model to students and help them learn and succeed without limits.” Robert Cmelak, the director of transportation for JUSD, said


Loza ensures that buses pass California Highway Patrol inspec- tions, district vehicles are maintained on schedule, and thousands of students are transported safely. “Daniel is proof that hard work pays off,” Cmelak explained, adding Loza also received Jurupa’s Best of the Best Award for Excellence. “He leads a mechanic team of five and has earned the respect of heavy-duty mechanics more than two and a half times his age.” Additionally, Loza is a licensed pilot, starting his journey in late


July of last year. In May he passed his private pilot check ride. Since obtaining his license, he’s flown all over Southern California, logging 68 hours of total flight time as of several weeks ago. He enjoys flying his friends and family when he’s not working in the shop, he shared. “Sight-see- ing thousands of feet above the countryside and flying at night is amazing,” he added, noting that Riverside Flight Acad- emy allows students to rent airplanes for studies and leisure. “There are many similarities between driving a school bus and


flying,” he noted, adding that he had to drive buses when the district was short drivers. “Starting with the training to become a school bus driver, a pilot goes through very similar steps including in-class and behind the wheel training, a written test, and a flight test. Before flight, a pilot performs a preflight checklist including several tests on the airplane to ensure safety of the passengers and everyone else around.” Loza said he is currently working on getting three 81-passenger


Thomas Built Buses ready to transport students, which includes pre- paring for CHP inspections, outfitting buses with security cameras, and installing Zonar GPS. “Our shop has been recently upgraded, as we incorporate new equipment and tools,” Loza shared. “A new A/C machine has made servicing vehicles a breeze. New cordless tools have made repairs quicker, and new flashlights and shop lights have


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about becoming a mechanic. “I think it is important that we find ways to expose our youth to careers in our field,” he said. “I would like to challenge those in our field to take on an intern, allow them to visit your shop, and to be a good steward of the field.” He is also always working to find ways to make the shop more efficient, such as he’s exploring the creation of a database for parts inventory, which should help with supply chain disruptions. “I have been very lucky to work with individuals who recognize the need for change,” he said. “As a team, we are always looking for ways to work smarter not harder and still maintain the safety required for transporting our students.” When he’s not working, Highley said he enjoys spending time


outdoors by hunting, camping, kayaking or fishing. He’s currently working on a restoration of a 1965 Ford Fairlane. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, three children and two grandchildren.


PHOTO COURTESY OF NIDIA ROJAS DEL REAL.


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