Novacek retires from 'the best job in the world'

By Gary Raham
Wellington Correspondent

Judy Novacek loves kids and loves being behind the wheel of a vehicle, so driving a school bus seems like an instinctive job choice. She commented, however, "I never thought that this job would turn into a career for me."

She's driven the same Waverly area rural route for 31 years, hauling her extended family of kids to school and back, enjoying every minute.

Of course, some minutes were more enjoyable than others. Even well-maintained county roads sometimes turn into muddy trenches. "I have backed out of bad situations a lot of times - even as much as a mile - and could keep in the same tracks," said Novacek.

And kids aren't always on their best behavior. "I hardly ever wrote a child up on the bus," Novacek said. "I would make them sit up front with me and they had to be my helper plus visit with me. That usually was punishment enough." One also suspects that children didn't want to lose the respect of their "mom away from home."

Novacek talks with pleasure about all the wildlife they see on the 50-mile route, including antelope, elk, deer, foxes and much more; and about the frequent notes, pictures and dandelion bouquets given to her by the children. "I'll miss the children something terrible, driving the bus, the beautiful sunrises and the beautiful mountains early in the morning - they always look different."

Novacek is justifiably proud of one achievement. She was recognized about three years ago for a perfect driving record with no accidents or tickets. She also took home some trophies for winning "bus rodeos."

She credits much of her driving skills to growing up in a timber-hauling family where she got used to riding back roads in huge trucks and developing a natural watchfulness behind the wheel. "You have to be on your toes all the time," she said. "Don't ever rush."

As she got older, she also became more and more conscious of the responsibility of transporting the children of all her friends and neighbors.

Novacek's only regret is that a dispute with a supervisor took enough enjoyment out of her daily routine that she decided to retire before she was ready. Nevertheless, Novacek sings the praises of a career that allowed her to work while raising a family. "It was a great job for a mother because you could work part time and still be with the kids," she said. "I talked a lot of my friends into becoming a driver for the same reasons. Most of them are still driving."

One can see why. They must be enjoying all those colorful sunrises, wild animals and carefully gathered dandelion bouquets.