Tampa, Fl. (November 1, 2026) – Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is proud to announce that Laura Hill, the district’s general manager of transportation, has been named School Transportation News’ National Transportation Director of the Year, a national honor recognizing excellence in student transportation leadership.

Hill is the first transportation leader from Florida to receive the national honor, marking a significant achievement for both Hill and Hillsborough County Public Schools.

Each school day, more than 80,000 HCPS students rely on district transportation to safely get to and from school. Hill’s leadership has helped foster a transportation culture centered on safety, reliability and service, with students at the heart of the team’s work.

“Congratulations to Laura Hill on this well-deserved national recognition,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “This is an incredible achievement, and it is especially meaningful knowing Laura is the first transportation leader from Florida to receive this honor. More than 80,000 students count on our transportation team every school day, and Laura’s leadership has helped build a culture where safety, reliability and service come first.”

School Transportation News President and Publisher Tony Corpin praised Hill for delivering measurable improvements while maintaining a strong connection to the students, employees, and families the district serves.

“Laura Hill embodies the leadership the Transportation Director of the Year award was created to honor. From streamlining operations and strengthening driver recruitment to modernizing one of the nation’s largest school bus fleets, she has proven that measurable results and genuine care for people are not competing priorities, they are inseparable,” Corpin said. “What sets Laura apart is the perspective she never left behind. Having risen from school bus driver to executive director, she remains deeply connected to the students, drivers and families she serves every day. Her unwavering commitment to safety, her team and her community represents the highest standard of our profession. Congratulations on this much deserved recognition!”

The national honor also reflects the dedication of the entire HCPS transportation team, including the bus drivers, mechanics and support employees who work each day to safely serve students and families across Hillsborough County.

Hill’s recognition underscores the critical role transportation plays in student success. From ensuring students arrive at school ready to learn to safely return them home each afternoon, HCPS transportation employees are an essential part of the district’s commitment to students and families.

Learn more about this recognition at STN November 2026 Issue :: 54.