Lake Tahoe Unified School District bus driver retires after 35 years of safely transporting kids

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - This Friday, June 18, will be Gale Lawrence's last day of driving a big yellow school bus through the streets of South Lake Tahoe. For 35 years (33 as a full-time driver, 2 as a substitute), Gale has safely delivered students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) between home and school.

She knows it will be an emotional day on her last day. Each year, when the school year comes to a close, she sheds tears as she becomes attached to the kids are her bus. Even as we spoke of her pending retirement, she was getting choked up.

"I'm not looking forward to this week at all," said Gail.

During her career with LTUSD, she has given an estimated 230,000 student rides (46,000 of those on the special needs bus) over 500,000 miles (not including field trips and athletic travel).

For her first 16 years she drove a standard school bus, then for the last 17, she has been the special education bus driver. Her current bus. #34, is decked out with nice, new built-in car and booster seats, and a large open area for wheelchairs.

One of her most memorable experiences as a school bus driver took place at North Upper Truckee Road and Kickapoo. Gale stopped the bus, grabbed her "stop" sign, and got out to help the kids cross the street. Just then, a bolt of lightning hit the tree just next to her. She said all of a sudden bark and pine needles were flying. Parents rushed to make sure she was okay, which she was and she finished her route.

Gale has never had an accident that was her fault - though cars have slid into her bus more than once. There have been no injuries as well. The California Highway Patrol recognized her safe record with a certificate this week. She has been one of the LTUSD School Bus Trainers for years, helping to train other drivers to keep students and the community safe. Gale has also been a member of the El Dorado County Driver Trainer Council Advisory for years.

"Gale has been an incredible asset to LTUSD and our South Lake Tahoe Community," said the LTUSD Transportation Supervisor Christy Blach. "I believe we have a driver or two currently that Gale may have driven when they were in school here. Her compassionate and empathetic nature has contributed to her outstanding ability to navigate, communicate and manage student behavior on the school bus in a way that is very inspiring!"

"Gale will be truly missed as a School Bus Driver for LTUSD," added Blach.

Gale and her family moved to South Lake Tahoe when she was two years old. She and her twin brother when to Bijou Elementary, South Tahoe Intermediate School, and South Tahoe High where they graduated in 1976.

"The 33 years have flown by, I don't know where they went," said Gale.

After this week is over she'll start plans to get an RV and travel to see the USA as well as visiting her family. She has two kids, one in Silver Springs, Nev. and one in Elk Grove, Calif., nine grandkids ages 10 to 21, and a two-year-old great-grandchild. Gale also enjoys crafting and gardening.

"I will have a hard time saying goodbye this week," said Gale. She enjoyed a district-wide retirement celebration Monday and will be at her department party Friday.

If you happen to see bus #34 on the road this week, give Gale a wave good-bye.