KSD welcomes new transportation director

KELLOGG — The Kellogg School District is pleased to announce the newest addition to its team, as Cory North has accepted the position of transportation director for the district.

North is a retired staff sergeant with the Idaho National Guard and has spent the last few years working for the Idaho Department of Transportation. In both previous fields, he honed specific skills that will be valuable in his new position.

“I worked a perimeter security group for three years as a yard manager with the National Guard. While there, I managed a $1 million inventory for materials, as well as the main purchasing agent,” North said. “I was the master CDL trainer for the company, as well as master driver and mechanic. At the Idaho Department of Transportation. I performed duties for highway maintenance in the summer and winter.”

As master driver, North was responsible for training soldiers up to the Army standard on safely handling, driving, and preventive maintenance checks and services on all military vehicles to be licensed on.

North has more than 20 years as a mechanic and is a certified inspector, a vital part of his new daily responsibilities.

As the transportation director, North will be responsible for maintaining the district’s fleet of school buses, designing the intricate bus routes, making sure that those routes are clear and safe in the winter, and the comprehensive scheduling for KSD’s bus drivers.

North’s predecessor unexpectedly resigned last month, so he will be learning the job on the fly, but that shouldn’t be too difficult for a fellow with his experience.

“At this point, I want to get in and observe what is going on with all the current processes,” North said. “I don’t plan on making a lot of changes at first. I know that this job has a lot going on and I am looking forward to the challenges that are there.”

KSD Superintendent Dr. Nancy Larsen is excited for North, a fellow Kellogg graduate, who has been active in the district for many years.

“Cory comes highly recommended and is enthusiastic to be back with us,” Larsen said. “He is a Wildcat, KSD grad, coach, former para-educator and a parent. So he knows us well. He and his team at the transportation department will work to keep kids safe and on time.”

For North, the position is all the kids and the community.

“I took this job because it is a chance to grow as a leader,” North said. “I love being able to work with the children and parents of this community. I am so very excited to be working for the school district again. To me this is my dream job. I couldn’t be happier and I love that I get the opportunity to serve the people of this community.”