Three Rivers Transportation Department Welcomes New Leadership
Three Rivers Local School District announces new leadership in the Transportation Department. In October of 2020, former Director Tim Wagner accepted an opportunity at Finneytown Schools. In November, Kim Omeara transitioned into the interim position as the administration began the hiring process for Director of Transportation.
Out of the pool of applicants, five individuals were selected for second-round interviews. The interview committee consisted of administration and staff members from the Transportation Department. After a comprehensive process, Justin Hagen-Stein and Kim Omeara were recommended to the Three Rivers Board of Education as CO-Directors. Tom Olson, Director of Operations/Hamilton County ESC, who led the interview stated, "We believe Kim and Justin will bring the right blend of experience in transportation and management to keep Three Rivers performing at a high level now and into the future."
On April 13th, the Three Rivers Board of Education accepted the recommendation and named Kim and Justin CO-Directors for the Three Rivers Transportation Department.
Three Rivers currently buses approximately 1,200 students. The fleet, consisting of twenty-nine buses, drives forty-seven routes each morning and fifty-one each afternoon. Bus services are offered to Three Rivers students in grades kindergarten through eighth, as well neighboring parochial schools.
Kim has worked with Three Rivers for twelve years and has spent the last four of those years working as the District’s route master. With routing, Kim used the software to masterfully create financially efficient routes that best serve the students of the District.
Justin has been with the District since the summer of 2020. He came to Three Rivers from the Transportation Department at Southwest Local Schools. Prior to his experience in transportation, Justin obtained eleven years of experience as a manager at ALDI and two years of managerial experience with Max and Erma’s. To date, Justin has already acquired his Ohio On Bus (OBI) Instructor certification work to evaluate and train drivers.
With Kim and Justin’s unique knowledge and individual expertise, the two are prepared to work collaboratively to ensure the Transportation Department continues to run smoothly, remains fiscally responsible, and provides the Three Rivers students and families with the highest quality of service.
Although this is the first time that Three Rivers has divided the position into a co-leadership model, the restructuring of Kim and Justin’s positions within the department will not render additional District personnel expenditures for the 2021-22 school year.
Three Rivers Transportation focuses on safety, customer service, and fiscal responsibility; Mr. Hagen-Stein and Mrs. Omeara look forward to continuing to enhance the Department’s focus on these values.
